Will this EVER end???

Hi Y'all!

I have a question about incision sites. I developed an infection in one of my incision sites about 1 week after surgery. I am two days shy of being 4 weeks post op. I have 6 incisions because my surgeon did robotic laproscopic surgery. The one that became infected and opened up from the infection. I completed 10 days worth of antibiotics! 

The surgeon said I was allergic to the eternal stitches and so it wouldn't dissolve so he dug them out! Let me tell you it hurt like rip!! This is my question. I now have no infection but a hole in my tummy about the diameter of a pencil and it is an actual hole. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, how long did it take to completely close up and heal.?? I have to keep it covered up with gauze and paper tape and my skin is raw from the tape. I know it will get better but WHEN WILL IT EVER END?? I am ready to start my new normal and feel human again.

I would appreciate any advice, encouragement, or any person experiences!   

Thanks!

Amy

It took about six weeks. They had to shove this string like stuff in there every other day and depending on who did it, it either hurt like heck or was at the best extremely uncomfortable. You could always ask to be referred to a wound care specialist if you want and your insurance will cover it. They might be able to put you in a oxygen chamber to speed the healing. 

I had the same problem and ended up ripping off my skin with the tape after a couple of weeks it was horrible. The doc finally told me to go "old school" and pour peroxide on it and dry it up. Once I started that it was healed in about 10 days. I wouldn't advise this without a doc telling you to do so. There is a reason they don't suggest it often anymore. It will get better with time.

All I can add is that wounds like that heal from the bottom center outward. There is an awesome tape called Medfix non-woven tape by Medline. You might have to get it at a medical supply store. The dermatologist and home health nurse came up with this when all else failed on my husband who is ultra sensitive to tape. Also, if you really need to gauze and tape it to prevent drying out (the usual way they want it to heal), take scissors and cut thin strips of the tape and lay gently on the back of your hand (after a thorough washing of your hands). Pull it off and you will have a small amount of your own skin cells on the tape. Place your gauze (a nice large gauze like a 3X3 or 4X4 inch over the hole and then lay the strips of tape across to hold it down. It is the glue you are sensitive to and having your own skin cells on the tape reduces glue exposure. It's an idea. Worked for us.