ductal excision post op pain question

jojo1966

I had a duct excision about a month ago and honestly even though I swore I was not going to be 'that patient' that doesn't ask enough questions that is exactly who I turned into.  I had no idea what to expect from the surgery and post op pain wasn't bad - ice and tylenol did it for the most part but I definitely wasn't prepared for what I saw in the mirror, one bruised battered bumpy boob, it was pretty shocking.  I didn't even know I had stitches inside til I tried to remove glue which wasn't glue and that definitely curled my toes!! Definitely a duh moment. So I had a bunch of questions for my doc but murphys law struck and my post op appt was completely rushed so I didn't really ask her any of them. So here I am a month later I still have pain in the nipple, especially where that stupid stitch was and pretty deep in the breast and have no idea what is normal and what is not and I don't want to bother the doc.  She is really good, but that means she is also crazy busy and since I am a benign diagnosis I don't want to waste her time.  So if any of you have had this surgery could you please let me know how long you experienced discomfort.  Thank you all for your help.

Anonymous

I am in the same boat. Mine was benign (on chest wall), but they found LCIS tissue, so I am meeting with doctors now to determine the best approach. I don't really have pain, but every so often, it is a deep ache. There is still some tenderness under the incision area also. Surgeon said that it isn't unusual. It takes time for the area to "fill in" as he put it. Mine is not lumpy or anything. Also told me not to mess with the glue...to let it drop off naturally, which it finally has. Couldn't use bacitracin or anything. He said it mucks up the glue.

I do have one little loop sticking out that I am calling on tomorrow. It doesn't seem to be disintegrating. It is right on the end where they either ended or started. I am afraid I will catch it on something and then have that toe curling you described, so am being very careful!

My surgeon left me his cell number (which I haven't used) but he is crazy busy also and when I called, he either called back promptly or the office did with the info. Don't be afraid to call. That is what they are there for. Plus, they don't want to deal with problems that occur because we didn't call to ask.

tiffaniday

Hello,

I had this surgery a year ago.  They consider it so minimal that they don't prepare you for these things.  After surgery, fluid WILL build up and then it will drain at some point causing you to think what just happened.  I had a fever and felt horrible when they told me I would feel fine as this was nearly two-three weeks after my surgery.  I had the leakage through my shirt thinking I messed something up.  It took even longer for those strips and glue to fall off.  And that LAST one is the one that lingered for me as well.. I was like COME ON!!!!!  I have phantom pains and sometimes feel as if I am leaking again.  GONE IS MY NIPPLE SENSATION as well.  nothing at all. 

jojo1966

thanks for your reply.  I got so tied up in the holidays and family events I hadn't come back to the board until today.  I still have that deep ache and it seems to be occurring with monthly hormonal changes. Nothing  for a week or two and then pain that gets bad enough if I roll onto my stomach in my sleep it will wake me up.  I have to start a diary for it and track it and then call the doc if it gets worse or is not able to be linked to a point in my cycle.  I am 2 months post surgical now so I was hoping the pain would be gone, but no such luck.

jojo1966

@tiff... I haven't lost nipple sensation except right at the scar which still feels really dense and odd.  thank heavens I did not have the fluid drain either.  I kept expecting a little something but none at all.  I am a bit of a spaz and if that had happened and it showed on my shirt and people noticed I would probably never leave my house again;) At least I know I am not the only person experiencing pain after the surgery.  thanks for replying. 

I hope you both have a happy HEALTHY new year. 

-joanne

Ginger_16

Hi everyone ,

I had ductal excision about two weeks ago , I seem to be healing fine . The glue came off earlier than it was suppose to but it looks fine . My surgeon thought I had busted one of my sutures but it seems fine . But now approximately 10 days after surgery , I have shooting , sharp , and annoying pains running through my breast . It hurts when I move , turn over , bend over or lift something (which I now try to avoid lifting anything) . Has anyone experienced this ? Hoping it will heal with time and might be nerve pain only .

Thanks !

Joit

I had ductal incision on feb 10 2017 & my breast is still sensitive. I had a few sharp pains as well.

aquilegia

Everyone's pain response is different, but it may be that people with painful reactions are more likely to post. Or possibly past radiation killed off some of the pain nerves? I've had 3 lumpectomies on the same breast - the most recent was a few weeks ago. I didn't have any pain requiring more than an Advil, and am almost healed--just some bruising and a scab about 2 inches long. I found that wearing a bra 24/hours per day for the first week really helped avoid pain. The only discomfort I have is some deep itching, which I can get rid of by rubbing the skin around the scar. I did get a seroma (fluid buildup) which I didn't like at all - you don't expect to hear sloshing noises from that part of your body! But it has mostly gone away. The nurse I spoke to said they don't drain them unless it's causing pain or gets infected, as the fluid will just come back.