Hi Folks, This forum has been an absolute God send for me. I would just like to thank everyone to takes time to write and share their experiences. My experience started like many others with awful pain, GP visit, Hospital visit, Bursting of the sinus then surgery. I am based in Dublin Ireland and went in for open wound surgery on 19/06/2012. My surgeon took out a fair old chunk of skin and said it was a pretty bad case. I went home the same day and back in the following day for dressings. We agreed the best way forward was that my other half did the daily packings for me instead of going into hospital each day. Although she was a bit grossed out at the start she got the hang of it very quickly. I had pretty much zero pain for the first 4 days then it got a little sore during the dressings for max another 4 days. Then it was all plain sailing. I went back to surgeon yesterday 15/08/12 and he said my healing speed was quite remarkable and he himself asked me how I healed so quickly. (I found a tiny hole in it a couple of weeks ago but closed within two days) We actually stopped packing the wound nearly exactly 4 weeks after the surgery as the wound had fully closed. In my experience the main thing that helped me was: 1. Daily bath in salt water (must have gone through 20 tubs of salt) 2. After bath clean the area really really well with the shower head (squatting for 5 mins with shower facing upwards. 3. DIET DIET DIET, PROTEIN PROTEIN PROTEIN. I started the paleo diet a week before my surgery which requires me to eat alot of fresh fruit, veg and lean meat. I also took a protein shake twice as day. As i am a rugby player i was used to going to the gym 4 times a week during the summer so i knew i would put on alot of weight without excercising. In fact I lost 10kg up to yesterday and am feeling in the best shape of my life. Obviously the protein helps the body heal so I would recommend everyone to take a good look at their diet. 4. Daily packing, I have heard of alot of people packing the wound twice and three times a day. I tried this once and never again. While the wound is trying to heal you want to disturb it as little as possible. As long as you dont have too much 'leaking' leave it to a daily change. (obviously im not a doctor so dont take my word ahead of yours) 5. Stress levels, Having on of these things is stressful for everybody involved! Buy a box set, throw on a nice pair of tracksuit bottoms and relax! Dont stress about what you cant help. I was back in work after four days. I had a fair bit of discomfort in the car and at my desk ect so if you can afford to take a bit more than that off do but if you cant dont worry about it. ***Get your hair cut before surgery*** You wont want to be sitting down in those barber chairs for a good few weeks. If anyone wants to discuss or ask any questions just drop me a line
I am hoping my surgery will go as well as yours did, I wish you the best of luck and hope Pilonidal is a word long forgotten in your thoughts.
