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Healing time of butt wound

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Posted 10/3/2013 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. So I am five week post op and met with my surgeon today. It seems I have a "pocket " of the wound that measures 4(length) by 0.2(width) by 0.3(depth). There was no fistulas infection or tunneling but it is difficult to pack. Anyway, my surgeon seemed surprised it hasn't healed more but everything I have read us that it usually takes a few months to completely heal. Any input or suggestions would be appreciated. I am going to see a wound care nurse next week. Thanks!
Posted 10/3/2013 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry forgot to say I had my colectomy in May and just had my anus and rectum out five weeks ago. I thought I was healing pretty well but maybe I am just reading into what he said.
Posted 10/3/2013 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
it was over 6 months before mine was healed

 

Posted 10/3/2013 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Were you on Meds? I am taking imuran at my gi's insistence and my surgeon thinks that is why it is taking longer than he thought. I just didn't think five weeks would be considered a long time.
Posted 10/3/2013 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
This is not unusual. Butt wound healing complications are common. I won't dare tell you how long mine has been to heal. Yours sounds similar as it is long and narrow. Just make sure it is staying open and draining. Sitz baths? ask you surgeon or wound nurse about doing them. And keep an eye open for any abscess signs - increased pain, fever, night sweats.. If any of that happens get back to your surgeon immediately.

Also eat lots and lots of protein. Wouldn't hurt to get full bloodwork done to make sure all your nutrients, vitamins, etc.. are in good shape.
Posted 10/25/2013 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
I am 8 weeks post surgery. Needed daily flushing and loose packing of rectal area wound and finally healed closed at about 6 1/2 weeks. I took a daily sitz bath with epsom salts before each nurse visit for the flushing and packing- Dr. advised the sitz baths. I put about 2/3 cup of salts in very warm water and relaxed in the tub for 20-30 minutes. I'm wondering how long it will be before I am able to sit without feeling like I'm sitting on a "lump".
Posted 10/27/2013 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Was the wound closed when surgery was done? Mine was not and it took 6 months to completely close and heal sad
Posted 11/1/2013 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Well I saw my wocn today and I am so frustrated! Last week, My wound was so close to healing last week. She switched me from aquacell to just vasolex ointment. This week, she told me that the wound has grown soft tissues which she had to debride since she thought the soft tissue was making a small tunnel. I have had no pain, fevers or chills. Now, I am back to where I started a few weeks ago, 1cm long and 1cm deeep. I just want this thing to heal already. I keep it really clean, do sitz baths. It was left open during the surgery on August 30th, but it has been 9 weeks and I feel like I am going backwards. Anyway, just needed to vent! thanks!
Posted 1/1/2014 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm scheduled for a proctocolectomy on Jan 16 (along with a parastomal hernia repair). I can't quite get a good "picture" of what to expect from the proctocolectomy - and literally what it will look like. I've done research and also read through several posts on here. But(t), how on earth do you clean the wound? What does it feel like afterwards? It seems like recovery is anywhere from 4 weeks to 3-4 months. My dr. has it scheduled to do laparoscopically, although he won't know if he can do that until he's in there. I've had my ileo for almost 11 years, and had a ventral hernia repair 2 years ago, so there could be too much scar tissue to do it by laparoscope.

And then there's the hernia right by my stoma. Any info ya'll have to share about either of these would be great. Feeling pretty anxious about it all.

Thanks.

Happy New Year!

Dianna
Posted 1/1/2014 8:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dianna,
I had my proctocolectomy back in July. It was also done laproscopically. The perineal wound was sutured and all I did to keep it clean was just turn the shower hose on it when in the shower and then dry it carefully. It felt like there was a ridge of skin for about 4 wks until the sutures started to dissolve (I noticed bits of suture in the shower - weird) and then hey presto it smoothed out and was ok. I did have a tiny area at the end of the wound that over granulated but that was cured quickly by my surgeon dabbing it with silver nitrate. The area of over granulation leaked a bit so I used a barrier cream to protect the surrounding skin until it healed.
Apart from that my recovery was uneventful and i recovered within about 4-6 wks. It was the first surgery I had had so although the op took between 9-10 hrs there wasn't the issue of previous scar tissue.
I hope this helps and all the best for 16th. You will do fine.
Posted 1/1/2014 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and Happy New Year!

I'm really glad to hear that you had a positive experience. I'm hoping that mine will be as well. Was it difficult for you to sit? I've heard that it is for about the first 3 weeks and then starts to get better. I've purchased a couple of seat cushions that are supposed to be good for our type of situation.

I appreciate you sharing your experience...thanks?

Dianna
Posted 1/1/2014 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Happy new year. I think the extent of your recovery depends of the state of your rectal involvement and whether the wound is left open or closed shut. I had my rectum, anus removed with anal closure in August. I had severe fistulizing crohns so my wound was left open. I had a wound vac for a month and then it took another two months to fully heal. It still feels a little weird sometimes but overall, I feel back to normal. I think you have to ask your doctor if he is going to close the wound or leave it open as this will affect recovery time. Also is he removing the anus and closing it up? Every doctor has their own preferences about this. The first week was rough but then it slowly improved. Best of luck!

Post Edited (Smd729) : 1/1/2014 9:25:17 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/2/2014 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
It was uncomfortable but not as bad as I was expecting. I didnt need any pain medication. I walked quite a bit, changed position a lot and rested on the bed. I used a large pillow and alternated between that and a small cushion.
My colon and rectum were severely affected but the anus was ok so I was sutured and didn't have an open wound like smd729.
Anyway be kind to yourself and remember that the discomfort doesn't last long . You will do fine.
Posted 1/3/2014 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I just had surgery on Dec 9 to have my anal stump removed. It was sutured closed and also glued! It's still sting to sit and I have a little bit of fluid on my panties. I was told mine closed right up and there was no need to create a flap.

My surgeon said I can wash the area but I've been timid as I don't want to pull it apart. I wasn't told anything about packing ect. I hope it will get comfortable enough so I can drive to work on Feb and sit for 8 hours. Guess I'll be carrying a cushion around.
Posted 1/5/2014 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much - sharing your experiences makes me feel more confident. Do any of you have recommendations for things I should have at home, when I'm discharged from the hospital? I bought a couple of cushions but do I need any wound care items? Wipes? My sister is interested in any tips on how she can best support me while I'm recovering. I will be staying with her so she wants to make sure I have what I need.
Posted 1/5/2014 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Cushions and pillows are great to have. Do not get any donut cushions as these are bad for wound healing. As far as wound care, your surgeon or nurse will order supplies for you based on what you need, but I had a lot if gauze dressings on hand. After I dressed my wound with sterile dressing, I used the gauze between my butt cheeks to hold it in place. One thing I found helpful was a handheld shower head so you can really clean the wound. Sitz baths are helpful as well. The toilet in my bathroom is bit low so I had a handicapped toilet seat installed for the first week. It really hurt to sit so low, so the elevation helped. I am sure everyone is different though. I also stocked up on protein shakes. Only the first week is rough, after that it gets better.
Posted 1/5/2014 6:20 AM (GMT 0)
Ok - those are the things that I have stocked up on as well. Great minds think alike :-). I thought about the raised toilet seat today; I had one with my last surgery and it was a great help.

Thank you again.
Posted 1/5/2014 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
When I had my surgery the rectal site was left open to heal and it took 6 months to completely close
Posted 3/11/2014 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there

I had a Pilonidal sinus operation 4 years ago, the wound was 10cm by 4cm
To this day, 4 years down the line, the wound is still not healed. Everyday I put a new gauze on.
I have had 3 operations and none has been successful. I cannot live like this anymore, it is ridiculous!!

Any advice please??
Posted 3/11/2014 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Mine took a really long time to heal after my proctectomy and four YEARS later I still have trouble with pain, weeping, and other problems at the top of the site. it's almost like it was sutured too tight and pulls when I sit certain ways (esp on hard surfaces like the ground and unpadded chairs) I just live with it; I'm not sure what else to do!
Posted 3/13/2014 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Laurenne, see if your nurse can give you endorform. It's a new product. I had an open butt wound for three years, had a second surgery etc.... and now it is very close to closed. That product has been astounding for me.

Chronic wounds can get imbalanced and have too many of something called MMP's. These are the proteins that tear down tissue (wound healing is a balance between building new tissue and tearing down old). If you have too many MMP's, they eat the new collagen you need to close the wound. The endoform is made from sheep gut, and it puts more collagen in the wound so the MMPs can eat that and you have enough to build new tissue. I saw progress in (I swear) one night, after being stuck for so long.... then it slowed, but it has been closing.

I've been getting samples from my nurse, as I use so little, but she says it's not expensive. You only put it in two or three times a week.

No, I don't work for the company either.....

Good luck, and don't give up hope for improvement.
Posted 3/17/2014 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Blueglass, I had a Proctocolectomy and permanent ileostomy Oct 2013. Surgeon closed anal wound, but because of Crohns, the skin broke down and opened up a week after surgery. Surgeon said to just pack gauze sponges in there till it heals (2-3 months according to him).

Well end of Jan. I finally went to wound clinic. I have two tunnels 7cm deep, with outside opening 3cm long and width is . . . . . how ever far you spread your cheeks apart, to be honest (1cm?) They tried the Wound Vac. NOT! Totally too much pain packing the tunnels and couldn't get it to seal properly. They pack them with gauze strips soaked in Vashe dermal cleansing solution, every day now. They use Lidacaine to numb it first. Healing is very slow. The tunnels are slowly getting shorter, (4cm) to date.

Would Sitz baths help? I'm going to ask them about the Endoform and MMP's. Also wondering if you or anyone else have/had tunnels with their wound?

Post Edited (lilbirk) : 3/16/2014 10:00:14 PM (GMT-6)

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