Wound care

[verityann]

Hi lovely ladies, I had my surgery on 14th and recovery was going really well. Staples out on day 13 wound looked lovely and healing well. Later the same day I noticed the wound had popped open around naval. Seen in A&E as suggested by GP wound dressed. GP appointment today. Last night i noticed another area near the bottom has also opened up. Feeling fed up and frustrated. Any advice to improve healing

Kate xx

[Zelam]

That sounds frustrating when you were doing so well. Haven't got much advice but wondered if you were lacking anywhere in your diet. Protein, vitamin c and zinc are all easy and good to add to your diet for healing. Good luck x

[Realistic]

Poor you Kate, l had similar trouble with my wound ended up seeing my GP who gave me antibiotic cream and tablets. Which did the trick really l also had salt baths didn't want any infections . Hope your soon ok your over the worse thank goodness love & hugs SheilaFxxx

[Wooooo]

Hi my post debulking wound opened top and bottom. Wound was managed by practice nurse who was great, i ended up being seen daily as my wound was quite wet and deep. They will closely monitor size and depth of wound and dress as required. They will also check for infection regularly. I was advised to eat lots of protein- i wasnt able to each much post op so made protein my priority! Also dont do any " sit up" type movements, lifting or anything that could open the wound. Keep it as dry as possible and if you are dressing it yourself let it get some air!

You have to keep an eye on them as they can deteriorate quickly. This was easier said than done as i couldnt actually see the one at the bottom of the scar....my husband became an expert! Im sorry you are having to deal with this on top of everything else.

Best wishes

Emma

[Rosado22]

How about getting some Fortisip protein drinks or Conplqn to supplement diet? I had two or three every day in hospital. Yet I’m still obsessed with wound opening, which it hadn’t as yet

[Rosado22]

sorry meant Complan

[KimLJ]

I had the same. 3 openings. The district nurses came daily to redress the wound with special dressings to promote healing. All I could do is rest and eat lots of protein to help healing - wasn’t advised to do the latter but I thought it made sense. Hope all goes well x

[Wonnie]

Hi Kate

I'm very slow to answer your query and you may be further down the road now. A super tool to aid wound healing is a 'low level laser therapy' device (sometimes called Cold Laser Therapy. Many osteopaths and physiotherapists have them - usually a handheld device that is used to treat muscles, but also works really well on healing. The practitioner would hold it about a cm or 2 from the wound (dressing would need to be off). No contact, no heat.

I had a mastectomy many years ago and nearly lost one nipple as it healed, the laser worked a miracle - even the consultant couldn't believe it recovered.

wishing you well

Siobhan x

[verityann]

Thank you for all your posts and useful suggestions. My wound is almost healed now so should be ready when they call me for chemo xx