LAVH 4 weeks post hysterectomy: Incision is still not healed! :(

So, here I am again with the same incision, still not healing after 4 weeks. I don't understand what is going on. I have 3 and the other two are completely healed.
The steri-strips that were put on 2 weeks ago, after the doctor opened it completely, cleaned it and closed it back with the strips, were barely on this morning, so, I carefully removed them.
It is still open or open again, no sure. Gunky and nasty looking. I pulled it closed, the best I could with a band aid. I sent a picture to the doctor.
My work is in no way going to believe this. I went to the doctor on the day I was to go back to work after 2 weeks and she put me out for another 2 weeks from the infection and for the wound to heal with a week of Levequin and made an appointment for 2 weeks to check it and, of course, that is tomorrow
So, twice now, the incision is open and oozing when I'm due back to work. I noticed the oozing this last weekend and felt it wasn't right
Does anyone have an idea of what is going on? Anyone else have this happen? I have done everything she told me to do and done nothing that she told me not to.
I sent her a request for a staple or something as well so that I can keep it uncovered. I'm sickeningly afraid that it's going to be like sewing, the more it's messed with, the bigger and worse it gets. If you sew a hole too many times, the thread just keeps pulling the material loose more and more.

, dear Stacy, and I'm so sorry that this has been such a long road for you.
I see that you post quite a bit, so forgive me if this has been discussed many times but:
Have you sought a second opinion about these post-op issues and/or complications? Can your internist help?
It could be something to consider. Most doctors of my acquaintance think a second opinion is perfectly normal and advisable.

Regardless, I know your sisters empathize and we will be here for you. I know it's hard but please try not to worry about work. It's hugely important to kick this infection for your long-term health and well-being.
Sending many from Romy

No, I haven't thought about a second opinion. I love my Dr
She's awesome and do caring. Husband doesn't like her though. He thinks she's not doing enough. I honestly wouldn't know where else to go at this point. I guess I will see what she says tomorrow.

I see... That's one DH and one impartial observer. Maybe split the difference and ask your GP to weigh in? My sense is that you need and deserve more answers than you currently have.
Good luck tomorrow

A second (or third, or fourth) opinion might be good! One of my incisions was partially obscured by my fluffiness, and it seemed like it took forever to heal. It finally stopped weeping the day before my 6 week checkup. My oncologist, gynaecologist, GP, and an ER doctor all looked at it, and pronounced it healing well. They reassured me that it is pretty normal to have one spot that heals stubbornly.

I've had an ER doctor look at it and said it was okay. A week later, the doctor looked at it and was angry about the ER doctor not notifying her of the look of it. I sent her pics and she had me in there to treat it. Mine isn't obscured and I have never had trouble with healing wounds/incisions. She is not understanding the reason for it. I will see what she has to say today. If she just covers it up again, I will see if I can find someone else to look at it. Thank you ladies!! I love being able to come here and get advise that scares the crap out of me, lol. It helps to calm the nerves!

We had the same type of surgery done within days of each other and one of mine is really being slow to heal too. However both the gyn and gp say it is NOT infected. Doesn't hurt, isn't oozy. Just comes open. Guess we will be in this together girl!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Kflowers We had the same type of surgery done within days of each other and one of mine is really being slow to heal too. However both the gyn and gp say it is NOT infected. Doesn't hurt, isn't oozy. Just comes open. Guess we will be in this together girl!

My doctor told me that it is healing from the inside out. Normal wounds heal from the outside in. It's trying, just taking longer.

Keep it dry as much as possible. It will dry out. You will still have to watch for infection, but, it will eventually heal
Do not put any type of ointment on it either. It will keep it moist and it needs to dry.

When I had my hysterectomy, I had a hip-to-hip incision which was left open to heal (like yours) from the inside out. I had a few staples in the incision, but they were removed at one week post-op. (Ouch!)

Like you, I became rather impatient with the healing process. I couldn't actually see my incision, but my husband (who faithfully changed my dressings twice daily!) gave me a report each day on how things looked. He told me as the gap closed. But it was a s-l-o-w deal.

It took ten full weeks for the incision to heal!

I did return to work after six weeks, still wearing my compression garment and bandages. In retrospect, I should have taken another 2 weeks -- not so much because of the incision, but because my stamina took such a hit from the surgery and I was so very tired.

I didn't have too much oozing, but I did have drains, which were somewhat annoying to deal with.

My doc told me that after I took my daily shower, I was to lie on my bed and let my incision area air-dry for at least 45 minutes. That way when my husband put the dressings on, I was as dry as I could get at least once a day!