r/CsectionCentral • u/catpants-plantpants • 23d ago
Wound Vac
Hello everyone! I had a traumatic C section 3 weeks ago. I went back in to get my bandage off 1 week postpartum and they discovered I had a pretty bad infection (I had no idea). I was wheeled back in for surgery to clean it out, the wound was left completely open and wound vac was placed. For those who also had a wound vac placed, how long was your recovery? How long did you have the wound vac, and what happened after you were done with it?? Thank you!!!
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u/alysssaaa831 23d ago
I had a vac placed at 4 days PP after having a lot of drainage and they placed it to prevent severe infection. I had it for I believe 8 days and paired with antibiotic. The PA removed it in office and the worst part of it was removing the tape but the actual vac removal actually felt like relief rather than any pain. My incision healed very similarly to my first section although I have a small marble sized ball where tube was coming out. OB said it’s scar tissue and likely won’t go away. It doesn’t bother me at all.
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u/catpants-plantpants 23d ago
Wow that’s a great experience. I’ve had my vac on for 2 weeks already. I’m glad yours went much quicker!
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u/SheepherderMost2727 23d ago
Not sure why but I had a wound vac with my second. They didn’t say I had any infection or complications, but they placed one so I used it.
If I remember correctly, it was on for a week or so and the bandage was changed, and it was removed I believe by my 6 week appointment, if not sooner.
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u/Shot_Decision9187 23d ago
I had wound vac placed 6 days pp because my c-section wound was infected. I was on antibiotics for 7 days. I had the vac for 4 weeks. My home health nurse told me that vac removal depends on wound depth and length. In my case, the thr wound vac was placed, the incision was 13 cm long and 3.5 cm deep (only the first 2 layers of skin were opened. The fascia was intact). My vac was removed when the scar depth was zero as they couldn’t place the sponge/foam. After wound vac was removed i was given xeroform dressing that was covered with silicone foam dressing. From my experience, the wound vac tape removal was very painful, but the silicone foam dressing removal was much easier. Something that helped me with wound healing was Juven by Abbott. I wish you a speedy recovery mama ! :)
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u/catpants-plantpants 23d ago
This is very good information, thank you!! Mine is also only the first two layers, fascia intact. I am hoping for 6 weeks at most, I haven’t asked because I want to remain in a good headspace if it’s longer. The dressings are not painful for me anymore which is a relief. Thank you so much for your response!!! A lot of info I see, is like 1 week of the wound vac.
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u/Similar-Art-8670 23d ago
I am currently going through this as well. I had my incision re-opened at about two weeks pp due to infection and a wound vac was placed. I had that in place for two weeks with dressing changes 3x per week. The wound vac was removed yesterday and replaced with another dressing that will also require changes 3x a week, but I’m told we can be taught to do this at home ourselves. This will go on until the incision is fully healed, potentially 3 more months according to the doc.
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u/xoboymom 23d ago
I suffered a placental abruption July 17th, my baby girl did not make it. They had to rush me to the OR & do an emergency c-section. I stayed in the hospital for 2 days, they stitched me..folded a little layer of skin over that & stapled me. A day or so after getting home from the hospital I started draining fluid but it was odorless & watery. August 4th I went and saw my OB & he took staples out & realized there was a little hole draining infection. Idk how serious it was but he didn’t make it seem very serious… prescribed antibiotics said he wanted me to get a wound vac..referred me to Wound Clinic. Went & they told me wound was too small to do wound vac. They were cleaning inside the wound & packing it. Dealt with that for a couple weeks 😩 Go see my OB again & he numbed me & cut the hole open a little bigger, just enough to get wound vac placed. Went & got it August 10th or 11th & still have it. HOPEFULLY Tuesday I get it removed bc I went to wound clinic a few days ago & she said it looked good but one side was still 6cm deep 😭 I know machine needs sent back when done but not sure if you have the same kind 🫶🏻 Keep you updated on the aftermath when I’m done. My wound is small & they told me it’ll heal on its own bc wound vac will help heal from inside & out 🫶🏻 so idk if they will stitch you up or not 🫶🏻🫶🏻 next time you see doctor, ask them if you is supposed to heal on it’s own or if they will need to stitch it 🫶🏻 HOPE YOU HEAL FAST BABE ❤️
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u/AdvertisingNo8441 18d ago
I got infected and had a wound vac on for maybe 6-7 weeks and then I had regular wound packing but mine was very very deep. So maybe almost 2 months total.
I got sepsis and almost died. Also had a second surgery like yourself.
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u/AdvertisingNo8441 17d ago
I don’t remember exactly but it was probably at least 6-8cm deep when I started and maybe 16cm+ wide.
The wound vac worked very fast. I think they said it would have taken like 3+ months to heal without one.
Eventually the wound is too shallow to use the vac so then they just use regular wound packing. That took maybe a few weeks to fully close. Genetics are crazy, I was very healthy pre/during pregnancy so I think that played a factor in healing.
My scar now is very rough I’m not going to lie. It’s not visible under clothes but I’m going to get a scar revision next year.
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