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Wound vac

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Posted 9/8/2010 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
I posted here like a month ago about how they removed my rectum and anus and sewed it shut. Now there is a huge hole there 5cm deep by 4cm wide. I've been having a nurse come pack it every day and they said it should be healed in a month. Well it's been like 2 months and the hole is the same. I went to the Dr today and they said I need to get a wound vac. Does anyone have experience with these? I haven't been able to sit for months so I hope this works.

Also what is this thing like? They say if I want to go out I have to wear this thing on my shoulder. You can't hide it? All I am picturing is this looking like a man with a purse.

Any info would be awesome.

Posted 9/8/2010 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Brian,
I had a wound vac for a long time due to a back wound that wouldn't heal. You really can't hide it and it does make some noise. Mine had to be changed every other day. My daughter is a RN and she would do it twice a week and I had to go to the provider once a week. They do work but it does take time for it to heal. It does have a strap that you can carry it on you and you can also not use the strap and you have a certain amount of hose so you can move around. When I went out I would usually use the strap but when I was home I just carried it around and in the kitchen I would hook it on the cabinets so I could cook and do stuff.

Good luck. If it heals you up it will be worth it.

Cathy
Posted 9/8/2010 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
I had one in the same area you'll be getting yours...not bad but not perfect either!! It doesn't hurt (at least it didn't for me) and the pump can be carried with you (it has battery back up) when you want to go out. Like privey said you cannot hide it and their is a tube from the wound to the pump.

I had home health care come to my house but you could go to the doc's office for the changes. I think 3 days is the max you can go between them.

The magic of the pump is that it brings blood to the wound which helps quicken the healing. I was able to close half my wound before going to wet to dry packing.

Good luck...I hope this helps heal that area faster!!!
Posted 9/9/2010 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
My mother had a wound vac and it worked miracles on her non healing wound. You will be amazed at how quickly it will heal your wound! Think of sitting in a month or two!
Posted 9/10/2010 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info guys. I get my wound vac put on in a few minutes. I will let you guys know how it goes.
Posted 9/11/2010 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Ok so I had it put on. OMG it hurts A LOT. I've been in pain all day. I called the nurse back and she pretty much told me that it is a sensitive area and it will hurt and just to take my pain pills. Is this true?
Posted 9/11/2010 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
Mine didn't...but I was still taking pain meds then. Take them if you need them!!
Posted 9/13/2010 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
Brian,

So sorry you have pain and your pain pills should help.  My wound was on the lower back and when it was just changed it hurt a little while but got better as the time passed, trouble was by the time the pain was gone...it was time to change it again.  As I said before it ain't fun but I don't believe mine was in as sensitive area as yours.   Good Luck.  Cathy

Posted 9/13/2010 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Brian, I had ileostomy surgery in June and had a wound vac on from the end of June thru mid August.  I had a lot of infection inside my abdomen, so they cut it and the scar tissue out and didn't staple anything, so my abdomen had large wounds to heal.  The wound vaccuum hurt me so bad at first that I would always cry, especially when it was turned on.  I had a home health care nurse come in twice weekly and we would repeat the procedure.  Towards the end, it didn't hurt anymore, but I don't ever want one again!  Also, it can't be hidden and it makes noise, especially if there is a leakage.

butterfly

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