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I have an open wound that is about 1 inch long and ...

Sent to Health Experts June 23 2006 at 4:30 AM
   

I have an open wound that is about 1 inch long and open about 1/4. I went to mexico and had a tummy tuck done and this is right above the pubic bone. I can see the internal stiches and see that it is trying to scab up. I did this last month 5/24/06. Is there any special care. I went to a plastic surg. to get my stiches removed but she was not helpful said that it would heal. I wondering how long. And what could go wrong. Some days its a scab and somedays its wet looking

 

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 38

Already Tried:
just keep gauze over it and keeping clean with clean soap and water

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
June 23 2006 at 4:39 AM (9 minutes and 5 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

I would try again to see if a surgeon will at least staple it closed because you're possibly going to have a wider scar in that area. The internal stitches you see will dissolve, but the external area needs to be kept clean and dry. You might want to use a very thin amount of antibiotic ointment, and if you notice any redness or heat, get to the doctor right away as it would be a sign of infection. It's going to itch more because of the width--the more it takes for a scar to heal, the more it itches in general. But this is a good sign of healing. Keep the area around it moisturized with a sensitive skin, fragrance free lotion. Try to find a doctor here that will treat you. That may be hard due to the fact that another doctor performed the procedure and is out of the country. There are other wound closing options they can use such as a super glue type substance. But in the meantime, just keep it clean and dry and even cover it with sterile dressing. To change the dressing, soak it first to avoid pulling off the scab and reopening the wound. Watch for signs of infection--redness, heat, fever, body aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, etc.




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Lori
Reply
June 23 2006 at 4:48 AM (9 minutes and 17 seconds later)
         
Reply to Lori's Post: will a scab form there?? and it seems when ever i put ointment on it it gets soft and gooey. What type of MD should I see?
Answer
June 23 2006 at 5:00 AM (11 minutes and 33 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
I would see a general practitioner first, as they may be more willing to help in just the treatment of the wound, regardless of the surgery. A scab will form eventually, but if it seals and has a pinkish color, it will probably heal without much of a scab. The scab is just the body's way of sealing out anything that can cause an infection. You only need a very thin layer of antibiotic ointment, and keep sterile dressing on it. Some dressing is "anti-stick" gauze and that will come off (especially with the neosporin) without sticking and reopening the wound. The old thought was to expose it to air to heal, but this also exposes it to all the airborne bacteria and germs that can cause infection. The main thing here is to keep it free from infection and speeding healing will help in that goal. But do see a doc and see what they can do to close it up again. Even if you have a couple of staples and have to restrict your activity for a week or so, it will be better than having a wider than necessary scar and risking possibly serious infection.


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Lori
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