Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber???? - Skin Problems Message Board

princess72 · 06-07-2005, 07:39 AM

Has anyone heard of this before? I recently heard it can help in healing skin or helping burn victims. I had some surgery a few wekks ago and im not healing!!!! The incision is open and painful. I am covering with salve and non stick pads. This is keeping the area moist, except when i sleep at night i expose the area! Does it take FOREVER for new skin to come in. Im feeling hopeless!!!!! Do you also know, if only certain area's have this type of treatment. I've heard it's in L.A. Wondering if it's anywhere else????

ScruffyGuy · 06-07-2005, 01:20 PM

Sounds like you've had an open wound surgery, meaning the wound was left open on purpose to promote proper healing. What kind of surgery was this? A few weeks into the healing process is far too soon, depending on the size and depth of the wound, to be worrying about alternate healing methods. And you should NOT be hopping into a HOC without consulting your surgeon!

Your surgeon, in fact, should be answering your questions for you at this point. He or she should be monitoring your progress and allowing you to contact his or her office with any questions you may have. I assume you have an appointment soon with the surgeon so the area can be examined, right?

Meanwhile, continue with the after-care instructions your surgeon has provided for you and DO NOT deviate from them.

If it is agreed soon that the healing is not going as planned, your surgeon will suggest several options to speed that up. These will vary depending on the type of surgery you had and what methods the surgeon prefers for your situation.

If your surgeon ultimately cannot help, you will be sent to a wound-care specialist who will probably get the job done in short order.

Some surgeries have VERY variable healing outcomes. The type of surgery is important, as well as the fact that everyone heals at different rates.

There are also many STAGES to healing and they each take a certain period of time. This is why it is called a "process" -- things should happen in a specific order. Sometimes, tissue granulates and impedes healing. Your surgeon will take care of that. Exudate (liquid) from the wound is normal, too.

Talk to the surgeon more. I suspect you are just impatient and uncomfortable right now -- wound packing is NOT fun at all! But rushing off for alternative therapies so soon after surgery is not a good idea.

princess72 · 06-07-2005, 05:12 PM

Ok, here is my nightmare of a story!!!! First of all i had a breast lift. To the beginning though..........in 1998 i had breast augmentation, in 2002 i had a lift....that was a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!! Didnt research the doc and found out recently he isnt even a PS! I was a smoker...he never told me to quit! I did not heal for a year, broke open, bled!!! Severe scarring! On May 13, i had the lift redone, replaced implants and had scar revision. My new PS told me to quit smoking 6 weeks prior to surgery....i quit 8 weeks prior! THE SAME THING HAPPENED as before! i am DEVESTATED!!! The reason i am posting is, i have another appointment with my PS on the 14th, i will ask him about this oxygen method! I am just kind of freaking out, and starting to doubt my surgeon!!! Partially because of my situation last time. We can certainly put too much trust into doc's. Not to mention how expensive this was, and has been. I know all of the risks involved.....that's why i feel kinda guilty about this! I did choose to have this done! I am just so disapointed. I was sewn shut, it broke open and the wound is open, i am assuming this will stay like this for about a year!!!!!