wound not healing - any advice?

OK, sisters, I'm getting discouraged!

My incision opened up after the staples were removed at 2 weeks. The hole was around 5 inches deep, but not that wide (I think it was the size of a nickel, but I could not bring myself to look at it!).

So the visiting nurse has been coming every day for 7 weeks. Now the hole is more like pencil size, and maybe over an inch deep, but she says it is not healing fast enough.

I have been drinking water, eating fruits, eating vegetables, getting enough sleep (when I don't have insomnia), getting a wee bit of exercise, and started taking vitamin pills.

Any other recommendations?

Do they use wound vacs on small wounds?

Maybe use a different type of packing?

I have to say I've got work stress, money stress, marriage stress - and empty nest stress too! Can stress keep something from healing? If so, I'll have this hole FOREVER!

Hi BookMD - You bet stress can affect how you heal! There are lots of studies on how additional stress is created by surgery and can affect the length of the healing process. I saw my GP because I had total meltdown last Saturday, and she has me taking B vitamins, especially B1 and B6. I started taking "Executive Strength" B supplements and do actually feel better. Meditation, gentle yoga and Tai Chi are also supposed to help. I haven't tried the Tai chi thing yet, but if I could find a class would be willing to try it.
I find that I am life stressed too. DH problems, boss wanted me back at work at the end of week 2, hormones all over the place, unresponsive surgeon, bad op experience and bumpy recovery.......aghhh! The thing that's worked for me was finding a sympathetic GP, B vitamins, getting out everyday for some air and a walk, a pile of great videos, and telling my boss that my doc said no work until I feel ready. She also said to only do what makes you happy at this point. Think about things you like to do, and do them. Everything else can wait.
Hope you heal soon. It must be a little unsettling to have that hole. At least it is healing although slowly. Maybe check out a wound centre if you have one near by.
Cheers,
Katie

Thanks so much, Katie!

Wound center is a great idea. I will also look into B vitamins. Thanks so much for your understanding. I remember your hyst. experience! After what you went through, I don't know how you have the energy to care about anybody else!

Best of luck with everything. Maybe later we'll look back and laugh. Maybe.

Oh I can't wait to get to the laughter part!! I hope it's in the near future for us all! If I knew any good jokes I'd put one in here, just for a chuckle. Ah, well, the mind is still mush - but happier mush.
How are things in Massachusetts? I lived there for a year. The leaves must be beautiful this time of year.

The wound center is a great idea. It made an incrdible difference for my DH who is diabetic and had terrible foot wounds. It may still take quite a while for the healing, but the doctors there really know what they are doing and have lots of approaches that other doctors do not even know about.

do you take green tea capsules with your vitamins? i take two 315mg capsules every day. i've been taking them for years and during the time i've been taking them i have not had a cold, flu, problems with my incisions..nothing. i've taken care of my sicks kids, been around people with colds and things..i just dont catch anything (i was always good for the one or two crappy colds a year before). i have had surgery while i'm taking them and have healed very quickly. just an idea...it cant hurt.

Thank you so much, sisters!

OK, I will go to the wound center. And I never even thought of green tea capsules! what a great idea! I don't really love green tea, but I know it has a zillion benefits.

Thanks so much for this helpful advice. Maybe I can amaze my visiting nurse with my healing performance. And I'll pass along to her the advice about B vitamins and green tea capsules - maybe it will help the next person.

Ditto on the B vitamins. My gyn/surgeon had me take Rx Metanx (B vitamins/folic acid) before and after surgery. He said a lot of drs also give it to diabetic patients to help with healing. (((BOOKMD)))

Thank you, Blondie! My doctor never made any recommendations at all, even when I asked if I should be eating or doing anything differently.

I got the green tea capsules AND the B vitamins today. I'm going to be a new woman! Will this also make me thin and rich?

Thank you , dear sisters!

Oh boy, if it does rich and thin I'm going for megadoses of both!! Ya Hoo!