Colostomy Reversal Wound Concerns

Hi... I just had a colostomy reversal on April 1st and have a question about the gaping wound I have.

The entire reversal was done through the initial stoma site... no new incisions. The wound weeps, as it should apparently, and is supposed to heal from the bottom up... as in, no stitches or staples closing it at skin level. The 'hole' I have on my skin at this site is looking to me like the creature from the Alien movie is going to pop its head out..! It is about 3/8" x 3/8" in size and about the same depth.

Has anyone else had anything like this? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

Part of the incision from my surgery became infected. They removed the staples from about an inch of it and packed it with sterile gauze. They would repack the wound frequently at first but less over time. I can't recall the frequency, but I think it was 3 times a day at first.

I think the gauze packing was to draw out the infection. Once the gauze was no longer drawing anything, they left it covered but not packed. At some point, the healing was sufficient to remove the bandage and expose the wound to air.

It did heal up nicely, and you cannot tell which part of the incision healed with staples and which healed "from the inside."

You didn't have an infection, so I imagine you're at the cover-it stage. Hopefully, my story helps even though it was a different situation.

Hi Bajan,

Ask your ostomy nurse if you need a wound vac. I had to use one after my surgery, and I had the same thing, a hole, and it helped in the healing process.

May the good Lord bless you.

Hi there, yes, I have had 3 old ostomy holes. It is left open to heal from the inside out. They do not sew it shut because of bacteria, and you don't want to get an infection. It will heal up; it just takes time.

Thanks to you and all who took the time to reply. I appreciate it greatly...

Airport Security Tips Living with an Ostomy with April | Hollister

Thanks to you and all who took the time to reply. I appreciate it greatly...

Thanks to you and all who took the time to reply. I appreciate it greatly...

Good luck, my friend, and I hope all ends well for you.

Regards, IGGIE

I had exactly the same thing. I had to pack it with gauze wetted with saline and then cover it with a bandage for the first couple of weeks. That was painful because every time I tried to remove the gauze, it was stuck in the newly developed flesh. Apologies if it's gross. If you are changing your own bandage, be sure to wet it thoroughly with saline, and then very carefully and slowly use forceps to remove it. I visited the surgeon last Thursday, and he told me I no longer need to pack it with gauze. Now I just wet a gauze pad and place it over the wound and then put a bandage over the gauze with tape. The rate of healing has increased, and it looks better every day. The skin around the wound is in pretty rough shape due to the adhesive, but I should only need to bandage this for another 1-2 weeks. Just be patient; you'll get there.