This is an update on the original post but Reddit didn't let me link it.

TL;DR: my back cyst reopened after surgery and now wants to open up again.

My doctor referred me to a dermatologist, but because of my insurance, I had to wait about a month for an appointment with my dermatologist which lead to the hole to slowly start closing (pic 2). I could feel there was more "stuff" in there but the doctors said it was my skin healing šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø

Fast forward to a week later and, what do you know, my skin starts oozing again (pic 3).

I finally get surgery and the first week goes well then I start feeling a lot of pressure by the incision site. Well, my body decided it did not want to dissolve the dissolvable stitches (pic 8). I went back to my doctor who removed it and said to let it heal on its own. I said I felt more stuff is still inside but she said it was just scar tissue forming. It didn't feel that way to me, but what do I know.

I tried listening but as of today, the incision site hurts and now looks like it wants to open up where my scar has formed.

So we're back to square one. The last pic was taken today. I will be scheduling another appointment but don't know what they can do at this point.

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    parent

  • Yikes. I'm guessing whoever did the surgery didn't actually understand what they were working with and didn't remove the sac completely.

    parent
  • parent

    It's not malpractice, every single time it's been gotten when it's inflamed and absolutely no dermatologist could guarantee that it will stay gone even when it's not inflamed, and it's almost guaranteed to come back if it is.

    parent root

    A good Dr/derm is able to differentiate cystic tissue/cyst wall from surrounding good tissue no matter how inflamed. Unless the cyst has broken down and become an abscess which then it's just a matter of good draining.

    The fact it has come back now for a third time is extremely concerning and makes many people here including myself question how much this Dr knows. I'm sore OP has to keep taking time off from work to get this resolved and for some people that can make or break their ability to pay bills. Let's not pretend like this isn't some fuckery on the Drs end.

    parent root

    The only way to tell with absolute certainty is under a microscope and performing what amounts to basically a mohs surgery. Otherwise it's always possible for microscopic amounts to remain. I don't know how many people would be willing to do that when for most people removing all visible tissue works fine and even when it does return it usually takes a few years.

    parent root

    Most of the sac would need to be left for it to continuously return like this. Most of the time if a small part of the sac is left the body just absorbs or it just stays and doesn't cause issues. This is such a BS excuse for shitty work.

    parent root

    This can happen with very small pieces left, not often, but it does happen, it's less likely the less that is left, but there's always a chance

    parent root

  • Schedule with another doctor/clinic if possible? These ones obviously suck at their jobs and doesn't seem to listen to you.

    parent

    This, see someone else!

    parent root

  • That looks like that hurts, hope you feel better OP.

    parent
  • parent

    Thank you for sharing this! Glad I'm not alone.

    parent root

  • I went to your profile page and saw all of your pictures. Thank you, so gross!

    parent

  • It's probably just healed superficially, like a roof over a pit. Did they prod it when it was open to check for tunneling (sinus tracts) or undermining?

    Can your Dr refer you to a wound clinic/nurse? So many medical professionals suck at woundcare.

    parent

    I'm not sure, to be honest. But will definitely seek care at a wound clinic or at least a second opinion.

    parent root

  • I feel like they did nothing to remove the sac

    parent

  • Stop going to that clinic. You need a different derm.

    parent

  • This happened to me! I was suffering for weeks and I found a piece of the stitch and pulled it out. It felt so much better and started to finally heal. It was 5 inches long.

    parent

  • Hope you got a second opinion?

    parent

  • Doesn't a cyst like this need to be packed with gauze so it can heal from the inside, rather than sewn closed? Otherwise you get recurrence like this. At least that's what I thought.

    parent

    There've been a number of videos by Dr. Butler on here. He explains that quite frequently, and said that they used to do that, but not anymore (with cysts, abscesses are different). It makes the patient uncomfortable for weeks on end, particularly because every removal and packing after the initial one will happen without numbing, while it's been found to not improve healing at all.

    He might pack it once, so it can dry up some over night and the antibacterial properties of the gauze can have an effect, but after that, it's left to heal from the inside out if it can't be closed with a suture.

    parent root

    Huh. Good to know. So op's case is either failure to remove the whole sac or really bad luck?

    parent root

  • Couldnā€™t it ā€œjustā€ be an infection? Seems logical to me.

    parent

  • This is unbelievable. Are you from the US ?

    I had a minor cyst that comes and goes, with no pain, a bit of pus from time to time.

    I went to see my Doctor for something else and he literally yelled at me for not mentioning Tyler cyst and for not coming earlier.

    I tried the silly excuse ā€œyour online planning was fullā€ and he replied ā€œBS! You have my phone number. You call or you come to the practice unannounced . I donā€™t care about what my online planning says".

    Iā€™m in France. And I did not pay for anything, obviously,

    parent

    Yes, from the U.S. I'm hoping for better results the third time around.

    parent root

    I wish you well. Hope you ll find a good doctor this time. Take care

    parent root