May 31- graft on

The photo below is the wound about a week after taking the graft from my leg.  Looking pretty good.  There is not much pain in my leg at the donor site anymore. I did blead my pants out a few times so make sure you have a good bandage system in place if you are out and about.

Now just waiting to put a tissue expansion plan in place.

May 20, 2016 - Skin Graft

After 6 weeks of healing since debridement to remove the tissue that died on my flap the wound was finally strong enough to accept a graft. The procedure went very well and tonight I am back at home.  With the Percocet pain is manageable but be prepared to spend some time planted on the couch.  Pain is primaraly in the donor site (the thigh in my case).  I have also been placed back on the wound VAC for the next 4 or 5 days.

Donor site

Wound ready for graft, all pink and healthy.

For the last several weeks I have been using wet to dry dressing to promote growth and it has also had to be cleaned up a few times by my surgeon.  In the photo below you can see bacteria that had started to collect around the edges of the Integra that had to be cut away.  

Approx. 2 weeks after Integra was put in place

Looks like the next step will have to be tissue expansion on my scalp. That is something I really was hoping to avoid  that but it appears there will not be enough skin to cover the new implant.  More on that to follow...

April 27, 2016- Pump off

Yesterday I was taken off the pump and staples holding the Integra in place were removed.  It's nice not being tied to the VAC. In the photo below we have a nice even pink layer of tissue growing. The Integra has taken hold and now it just needs a couple weeks to grow We will then have the graft taken from my thigh to put a nice top layer on.

I was cleared by the docs to return to work, something I am looking forward to getting back to.  However, there is some administrative confusion that I have to clear up before my employer will allow me back.  I strongly recommend keeping  detailed records of all your transactions and conversations that take place throughout your care including all interactions with insurance companies, employer and physicians. I have found folders and a notebook along with this blog have been helpful. Don't forget to save dated photos along the way. The photos serve several purposes including a way to look back if you have any questions about the progress (or set backs) of your wounds.