I had a body lift and the wounds have come open and no seem to be healing - what can I do? (photos)

Thank you for your questions and pictures and truly sorry for this complication.Those complications are rare yet known yet all types of body lifts are large and complex procedures.  Complications are more common in smokers and with patients with diabetes.  Has to do with blood flow and large undermining.  Some people also have a strong reaction to the inner sutures and this can lead to wound opening.There is a risk for serious infection with premature closure.  Continue with daily dressings and yes, silver and sulpha-based dressing are good option to control the bacterial colonization.  VAC (vacuum-assisted closure) is definitively an options.  Once cleaned and smaller, your surgeon might attempt a secondary closure.  If time is of essence, a skin graft might be considered and a delayed graft excision and closure several months later.Complications are never great and this is why we tell our patients to choose a plastic surgeon they trust so that the complication is dealt with as a team.Best of luck!Dr. Marc DuPere, Toronto aesthetic plastic surgeon and body surgeon.

I'm truly sorry to hear about the challenges you're facing with open wounds following your body lift. It's understandably a distressing situation, but there are various factors and treatments to consider that can aid in healing.
Open wounds post-surgery can result from several reasons, such as excessive tension on the incision, too much activity post-surgery, inadequate nutrition, anemia, infection, or the presence of a hematoma or seroma. From the analysis of your pictures, it's a relief to note that the wound does not appear infected and shows healthy red granulation tissue.
Treatment options include:
Wet To Dry Dressings: Utilizing normal saline or Dakin’s solution, this method can help accelerate wound closure.
Wound VAC (Vacuum-Assisted Closure): This can also expedite the healing process.
It's important to understand that this type of wound heals from the bottom up, a process known as healing by secondary intention. As the depth of the wound fills in, the skin edges will gradually grow together.
To optimize healing, consider the following:
Nutrition: Ensure a diet rich in protein (at least 100 g daily) and take an adult multivitamin.
Supplements: Extra doses of vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium can be beneficial.
Regular Follow-Ups: Maintain frequent visits with your plastic surgeon, either weekly or bi-weekly.
Hyperbaric Treatment: This might be an option to enhance oxygen supply to the tissues, promoting healing.
It's crucial to stay closely connected with your plastic surgeon and their team throughout this healing journey. Rest assured that wounds like these usually heal completely, often without the need for scar revision.
I hope this provides some guidance and reassurance regarding your post-body lift wound care and recovery. Hang in there, and good luck with your healing process.
Sincerely,

These areas do look scary, but they will heal over time.  I would suggest you follow your doctors advice and allow it to heal from the inside out. When they are finally healed, you can discuss revisionary surgery with your Plastic Surgeon.  You may want to ask about a Wound VAC to help get the would closed faster.  Some insurance companies will pay for this.  Good luck. 

No doubt you are still healing, if these wounds have been left to heal by secondary intention(on their own with the help of dressings). Whilst this complication is possible, it is not 'normal'. It is common for small wound wound breakdowns which are simply treated with dressings. For larger wounds such as these I would advocate a return to the O.R. for a thorough surgical debridement of the wounds and application of VAC therapy, (vacuum assisted closure). Once the wounds are looking better you then need a skin graft from your thigh. On one of the photos it looks like you have some undermining of the tissues so your wounds may be bigger than you think. Ultimately, once the grafts have healed and contracted you can have the grafts excised and the scars revised. I hope this helps you and good luck.

Healing from a body lift can be challenging especially in cases like this.  If there is a wound care center in your area I would make an appointment to see them.  You need to maximize your protein intake right now to help with healing and because you will leak protein from these large wounds.  I would also recommend using a wound VAC which will help a lot.

I'm really sorry to hear that you are having problems with your recovery.  While wound separation is not common after this type of surgery, it does happen and often times the only thing to do is allow the body to heal on its own as you have been advised.  Many people who have lower body lifts are also massive weight loss patients through some sort of gastric procedure, which can mean your body may be malnourished.  Make sure you are eating plenty of protein and follow your surgeon's instructions on wound care and make sure you are being seen on a regular basis.  I know this is frustrating, but it will eventually heal and the scars can be revised after the tissue has gained more strength.  Best of luck with your continued recovery.

Hello and i am truly sorry for your complication!
Body lift is a complex and large operation, can have complications, although not that frecquent, with appropriate selection. Diabetes, smoking, even passive, poor nutrition, persistent swelling, hematoma, can all lead to impaired healing and wound dehiscence. It is usually smaller than that.
I would recommend return to theatre, clean, VAC for a while and closure surgically when appropriate. Otherwise it will take a very long time to heal, with less than optimal result.
Good luck and check with your surgeon, it should be a way!

These wounds should heal on their own but may take a significant amount of time.  There are a couple of ways to expedite the healing: wound vac application (highly recommended) or hyperbaric oxygen therapy.  IF you are healthy, a wound vac should be adequate but it may take 2-3 months for this to heal.  

What has happened to you is not uncommon in body lift surgery. This sort of problem is all about blood flow. The area operated on and the tissue removed is mostly fat and that tissue ( fat ) has the poorest blood supply of any tissue in your body. So when the blood supply is altered or decreased by surgery the fat can die and the wounds will separate.It is true that you need to heal from the inside out and your photos look like that is happening. The red tissue in your wounds is granulation tissue and that is the ingrowth of new blood vessels which will cover your open wounds. Your wounds will also shrink down to be almost 1/3 the size they are now as they heal making them smaller and easier to revise when you are healed. If you smoke or are around people who do stay away from cigarettes at all costs, you need to be aware of your nutrition and especially protein intake, it requires a lot of good calories to heal these areas and often patients feel too upset to eat well.

The skin breakdown you are experiencing can certainly be treated.  The most successful treatment will involve surgical debridement and the application of a vacuum negative pressure dressing.At some stage you may require a skin graft. That vcan ultimately be revised and excised at a later date once you have made a good recovery.Ensure your nutrition is sound. Without adequate protein you're body will struggle to heal.Best wishes for a super speedy recovery.