incision still not healed -10 weeks in

I had a hysterectomy Dec 11 and the bikini incision healed except for 1 inch in the middle. Because of my baby pouch (fold of skin since birth of children) lol, I keep that area very dry with powder and my GP has been cauterizing the opening to try and get it to heal on its own. This has been done 4 times and it is now bleeding more than ever! It is not uncomfortable except when it bleeds i get a sharp pain sometimes. I am just totally fustrated and refused to get burned any more! The GP is refering me back to the specialist that did the surgury to see what she says. I suggested that they do a local and put a few stitches in, any one else that has had this problem I would love to know what you did to heal it. I would love sometime this year to have a nice bath.

Oh, (((sister))) I'm so sorry you're going through this right now!

Because I had a panniculectomy (to remove abdominal fat and extra skin), my incision was hip-to-hip. The incision was left mostly "open" -- just a few staples, which were removed at 2 weeks post-op. My incision took 10 full weeks to close, and I became extremely impatient with the process, as you can relate to.

Here are a few of the things I learned about wound healing. First, contrary to what logic tells you, it does not necessarily help to try and force the skin to go together. (This was a real shock for me. ) What actually happens is that when they leave the wounds open to heal from the inside out, new skin grows from underneath and the incision "closes" that way. It's a good way to heal the area, but it does take time.

In fact, it can make it harder to heal if they "force" the skin to close (especially in those of us with, ahem, "extra") and it can lead to other problems.

Another issue is that since our bodies are 90% water, your body is continuing to produce fluids, so it can just seem to be a losing battle.

I wonder if the powder you are using is irritating the area and defeating the purpose of keeping things dry? What I mean is that if the powder is irritating the area, your body might be producing more drainage to "fight off" the powder. Just an idea... You might want to consider using a sterile bandage instead.

You might want to ask the about going to a wound care specialist.

Please let us know what happens. I hope your incision heals completely very soon.

I am 8 weeks out and my incision is about a 1/2 inch opened on the outside. You can tell it's healing as explained above from the inside out. It freaks me out but doesn't bother me. I was told not to put talc on the area as it dries out the skin to much to heal properly. I have used a vaseline type product to keep it dry during activity. As long as it's not infected, I am not worried. Hopefully, yours will close soon.

Thanks, I will try to be more patient if they tell me that I just have to wait. I was so good not doing anythign I shouldn't have during recovery I thought I would get a reward at the end of the 6 weeks (maybe a bath) lol. I will keep you posted.

hi my stitches didnt close either because of operation before for ruptured cists which caused misscarraige the talc just made it worse i got dressings that just stuck on like foam used them every day for about 2 weeks and it eventually closed x

I'm sorry you're dealing with incision issues. Not fun! I had an incision that wouldn't heal after a laprodectomy. My doctor ended up sending me to a wound specialist to have the wound reopened and cleaned up. The incision was left open to heal from the inside out. I do not the frustration you must feel as I thought I would never heal. The good news is that I indeed did.

I also had another issue when I had a lap. The side of the incision popped open and started to bleed about a week after surgery. The doctor had to snip a stitch and once again it was left open to heal on its own.

I think going back to your surgeon is a good idea.

I hope you heal soon.

Thanks for the info, the foam bandage sounds neat, at least it would keep some of the mess from the bleeding contained. I will ask my surgeon about them if she suggests that it heal on its own.

hi the dressings are called mepilex and they are silicon dressings . you can peel them off really easilly with no pain .. good luck . hope they work for you xxx

What I was going to say has already been said, so sending HUGS.

God Bless