Why won't my wound close? (Photos)

Question

I had a breast lift over a month ago and it wont heal.. I've contacted the Doctor which is in a different country then me and he suggested placing tape on each side of the opening but it's not helping.. its bleeding and seeping and sticking to all my sports bras... I am lost on what to do and beyond scared seeing how the doctor who did the surgery is in a different country.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

who is willing to accept your care and help get this cleaned up for you so that it can heal.  Putting tape on that is a mistake and I'm positive your foreign surgeon would not be advising you to do that if the condition of your wound was known.  You need to have your wounds debrided and examined closely for causes, and if you have implants, to make sure they do not get involved in this process.  So find a local surgeon who is wiling to see you and expect to pay full fees to have this managed by another doctor.

Michael C. Edwards, MD, FACS · Answer

This is one of the prime reasons board-certified plastic surgeons do not recommend traveling to another country for less expensive cosmetic surgery. The first recommendation would be to return to the doctor who performed your surgery. If you are unable to do this then you may contact local board-certified plastic surgeons and see if they will assume your care.  You should heal but it will take time and your scars will be wider and may benefit from revision in the future.

Bradley Remington, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your question.  I am sorry that you are having this problem.  Certainly, one of the difficulties of having surgery out of the country is the lack of followup and the inaccessibility to the surgeon.
It appears that your breast lift incision wound edges have separated - pulled apart from each other.  This has occurred most likely because of undue tension which has 'split' the wound open.  There also seems to be some elements of wound infection; redness and drainage.  This needs immediate attention.   I would seek counsel from a local ABPS certified plastic surgeon to begin you on an antibiotic course of treatment and provide continuing care of the wound.  I would suggest you doing what are called wet to dry dressing changes:  saline and gauze dressing changes three times a day to clean the wound up and provide a healing environment.  You may have more significant scarring in these open areas, which could be revised when the wound has entirely healed for a more narrow scar.
Cheers,
Brad Remington, MD

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

It is hard to believe that wounds like this will eventually heal but they will unless there is some underlying problem like infection or severe malnutrition.  I would advise you to see a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery for wound treatment and monitoring.  Plastic surgeons are wound experts.  After eventual healing, you may end up with unsightly scars and may benefit from a scar revision.  Best of luck.

Robert M. Grenley, MD (retired) · Answer

Open wounds can take weeks to months to close depending on their size and wound care. As long as there is no underlying infection, the wounds will eventually close. Since your original surgeon is the best person to manage any complications from your surgery, I would suggest returning to see your surgeon for advice and management of your problem. Yes, I know that you had your surgery performed in another country, and this is of course the main disadvantage of traveling out of the country for cosmetic surgery.

Why won't my wound close? (Photos)

Answers (5)

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