Had Wound Separation After Breast Reduction and Healing Very Slow with Infection, What Should I Do?

Thank you for the question.

Unfortunately what you are describing can occur after breast reduction surgery even in the best of hands. Wet to try dressing changes are an acceptable  method of handling this complication. Also, unfortunately it does take several weeks to months before the wound heals completely. Sometimes the surgeon may be able to close  the wound as it gets smaller in size.

I would suggest continued patience and compliance with your plastic surgeon.

I hope this helps.

This is the regimen that I follow. Secondary healing can be slow but healing cannot be rushed. Safe and steady will produce healing over time. If you are or were a smoker, have hypertension or diabetes, healing will be more protracted. Please continue to see your plastic surgeon regularly for followup to insure that healing is progressing appropriately.

Can happen fairly frequently in larger patients depending upon health and other issues.  Wet to dry dressings are a good way to get the old skin/tissue off and allow the new skin and tissue to grow in.  Healing this way however is very frustrating and long for the patient.  Do you have diabetes or are you a smoker?  These conditions will slow down or stop healing on their own, as will obesity, and a variety of medications and other medical conditions.  Also, do you really have an infection or do you have old liquefied fat leaking out?  Fat can look like pus, but it is not an infection, there is no heat or redness or increased pain in the area.  The best thing to do is to talk to you board certified plastic surgeon and make sure that you understand all of what is going on.  Dealing with difficult wounds and delayed healing is part of every board certified plastic surgeons training, we are the doctors that other doctors call in to help with wound problems,  and often the best course is clean up the wound and give your body the time and help it needs to heal the wound properly.  Good luck.