wound healing

[Selene_V]

hi everyone, tomorrow marks my 6th week since my thyroidectomy surgery. Few days ago, I noticed slough on one area of the surgical incision and the slough came off today. There’s also some swelling just below where the slough was and the area where the swelling is, is warmer to touch than the area farther from the swelling but there is no redness. I’ve contacted my surgeon but I’ve not yet heard back.

I was wondering what’s everyone else’s experience with wound healing? From my research, other people’s surgical sites usually heals in 2 weeks or a bit more but I haven’t seen anyone who still has slough or red wound bed over 4 weeks since surgery.

Thanks in advance

[humanbean]

Good levels of protein are required for wound healing, as is vitamin A.

This link might be useful - it mentions curcumin in the title but has info on quite a bit more than that :

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articl...

It would be worth looking at the list of references in the above link too.

[Hypopotamus]

I had a cyst removed from my neck about a month back. I thought that I would have just a thin line where the incision was, but it did stay slightly 'lumpy' for a while. I am rubbing in hemp oil twice a day to the wound, and it is healing nicely.

[Astrido]

Mine took several weeks, looked very similar to yours. The main thing is to take it very easy. I didn't take it easy and lifted something heavy and that set me back. If you are worried about infection your GP or nurse will know about that. They don't need to be specialist. The swelling takes ages to go down.

[Selene_V in reply to Astrido]

Thanks, how long did it take for your wound to fully heal? Really curious as our wounds looked similar. I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow

[Astrido in reply to Selene_V]

I still have a visible scar, 18m later unfortunately. Dr said it's because I have "good skin" so it's very visible. A strange compliment I suppose. I had stopped needing any kind of covering after about 8 weeks I think. It was slow to get the swelling down, it really just takes time. It takes longer if you try to carry on like it never happened like I did 🙈Hope your appointment went well.

[Fruitandnutcase]

When I had a tooth removed the advice sheet I was given said to take vitamin C to help with healing so I took 1000mcg slow release vitamin C and had no problem with healing - I carried on taking it for a long time afterwards right through being treated for Graves.

I also had a friend whose son broke his leg and who was told by his surgeon to give him vitamin C to help with healing. So if there is no reason for you not to it might be worth giving it a try.

The wound left when my husband had a hip replacement took a very long time to heal, it didn’t bleed but it ‘leaked’ and looked inflamed and messy - the nurse thought it was something to do with the internal stitches. Eventually he got someone who decided to take a swab and give him antibiotics. So maybe speak to someone at your GP surgery.

[RockyPath]

You are describing symptoms of an infection.

Slough

Warmer

Alarm

I hope the surgery got back to you. I’m half way around the planet, so I’m just waking up now. They should respond urgently,

[Selene_V in reply to RockyPath]

Thanks for your reply. I have an appointment with the GP tomorrow but I have not heard back from the surgeons.

Hope all is well on your side of the world ☺️

[humanbean]

I thought perhaps this link might be helpful but I have no nurse or doctor training so be careful:

ciamedical.com/insights/wou...