1. Reason for Deciding on Surgery
As you may know from previous posts, I endured by squeezing the ganglion cyst on my toe for some time.
I managed like this for almost a year, but a recent incident made me decide to remove the toe ganglion cyst.
It started to hurt when pressed.
It seemed like the synovial fluid was leaking from somewhere on the toe, causing pressure.
One day, I burst the ganglion cyst, and the pain disappeared.
However...
As shown in the photo above, the skin at one area of the ganglion cyst became so thin that the inside was visible.
I headed to the hospital as it seemed impossible to just withstand it by squeezing anymore.
2. Ganglion Cyst Removal Surgery
The surgery was performed at Sanggye Baron Orthopedic Clinic.
The surgery was performed on May 8 at the hospital.
According to other posts, some people had general anesthesia, but I only had local anesthesia.
The most painful part was the anesthesia like at the dentist, and the pressure on the thigh to reduce bleeding was very painful and difficult.
The doctor scraped off all the inflamed tissue and cauterized where the synovial fluid was leaking, saying it was leaking from somewhere...
Anyway, after the surgery...
I simply walked home.
Was this more like a procedure than a surgery? It wasn't as uncomfortable as I expected.
3. One Day After Surgery
After the surgery, I had to walk barefoot in slippers at work.
The next day, the doctor asked me to visit the hospital for a check-up, so I went for disinfection and took some photos.
The doctor said the surgery went well but worried that the recurrence rate exceeds 40%.
And then... I couldn't visit the hospital for the next two weeks.
I was so busy juggling childcare and work.
4. Wound Management
Before removing the stitches, it's advised not to use hydrocolloid dressings on the surgical site.
If you mistakenly apply a hydrocolloid bandage like I did, the wound might swell up as shown below.
Thankfully, it wasn't an infection since the fluid seeped from the wound itself, not from external water.
After properly disinfecting with povidone solution...
I applied sterilized gauze from the pharmacy and wrapped it with a medical bandage.
At home, I replaced the dressing every 2-3 days or whenever it got dirty or wet from rain.
When washing, I covered the foot with wrap or tied it with a disposable bag.
Then I lay in the bathtub and took a shower with my foot elevated.
I also had to bathe my 6-month and 26-month-old children, so I layered wrap-bag-wrap-bag-wrap to minimize water contact.
5. Three Weeks After Surgery, Stitch Removal
Normally, stitches are removed two weeks after surgery, but due to the distant location of the surgical site, I decided to remove the stitches in the third week.
I took a final photo before the doctor arrived, and then...
The stitches were removed.
Looking back at a previous scar from a knife cut, it seems that I still need to go through the process of the scab falling off and revealing new skin.
Oh... was I a blogger specializing in injuries?
Anyway, at the third week, there is still no sign of new skin.
However, after removing the stitches, the wound didn't split when exposed to water, and I could wear socks and shoes comfortably.
6. Four to Five Weeks After Surgery
Skin around the surgical site began peeling gradually.
When you peel it off, there is new skin inside, but there's no need to force it.
Forcing it may make scar management difficult and just cause pain.
By the fifth week, the scab seems likely to fall off completely.
7. Seven Weeks After Surgery
Since I was busy raising kids, I couldn't take pictures in the sixth week.
The wound has healed considerably, and the scab has shrunk, though it's still firmly attached to the skin.
From experience, forcibly removing scabs later can cause stinging and pain.
The hairs were unsightly, so I blurred them.
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