Hematoma and purple/black nipple

Pointvalue

Hi,

I had a ns pbmx on 8/7. Two days post op the hematoma on my left breast near the immframmary incision burst. My nipple on the left is also purple/ black in color. My ps is on vacation until 8/24. I have been seen twice this week by the covering ps. Both ps concur that I most likely will lose the nipple. I have been taking antibiotics and was given a script to have another CBC to see if there is an active infection going on . I am putting silvadene creme on the nipple and the area where the hematoma was.



Both ps also mentioned I might have to back for more surgery. Has anyone had a similiar situation? I am wearing a surgical bra 24/7 with surgical pads. I change the dressings twice a day.



Thank so much!

Elise

Blessings2011

Elise - I haven't been in your situation, but I did want to send up big prayers and many hugs to you. I hope that you find some relief - and a good resolution - soon, my August Sister!

Pointvalue

You are such a sweetheart! Thank you

camillegal

Oh elise I'm so sorry, u poor thing. I have no idea but it sounds awful for u--I hope they et to the bottom of all this soon so u can rest easy. I'm sorry I can't help u.

Pointvalue

Thank you! You are sweetie!

jill47

Elise: my NSBMX was close to 7 weeks ago, my left nipple has been black/purple since. I did not have a hematoma, the nipple is just not taking. My areola has come out o.k. but it's getting darker than the right one (the cancer breast).  I'm getting my TE fills every 10-14 days and my PS and BS are carefully watching it and we're playing it by ear.  My PS will reconstruct what doesn't take.  I wore my surgical bra like you for my first 21 days post op and changed my bandages out once a day after showering (applied antibiotic ointment too).  In the absence of your PS, the other PS's advice should suffice till yours gets back.  Continue to keep your incision clean and if it the pink surrounding the incision does not get bigger you are probably o.k. till your PS returns.

Anonymous

Elise- It's actually very normal for the nipples to turn very dark or even scab over during NS. Has your PS or the covering PS done a lot of NS? Please don't let them remove the nipple until they are absolutely sure there is necrosis. Usually the nipple will continue to get darker, it will form a scab and after several weeks the scab will fall off revealing a nice healthy pink nipple underneath. There are mixed opinions out there about putting ointment on the nipples. Some believe if it doesn't appear infected, but is just dark in color, to just keep them dry and protected. If there is a scab don't pick at it. Do you have TE's? If you do and had a lot of saline added during the MX it can put a lot of pressure on the fragile blood supply to the nipples. Some suggest having some of the saline drained to ease up on the pressure until the nipples have healed more. You may be ready to transition out of the surgical bra, too, as they also put a lot of pressure on the nipples. Ask your PS if you can wear a sports bra instead or if the surgical bra is necessary for the hematoma. Wishing you the best of luck with everything.

Pointvalue

Hi Jill,



Thank you so much! The covering ps wants me to change out the bandages twice a day. I reapply the silvadene cream 2x a day. They want me to keep the area dry, so I have been putting Saran wrap on my breasts. At this point, it's 50/50. I don't think it's going to survive however it is warm to the touch!



I slept without a bra last nite and I think it made a difference with the hematoma. I am prepared to lose the nipple. I am glad that I had the surgery when I did.



I can't thank you enough for responding to my post. You are such a sweetheart!



XO

Elise

Pointvalue

Hi Kate,



I have TE's. I look like a linebacker for the NY Giants! My ps said I had a lot of skin. My breasts were 36 C/D cup. Yes he has done Nipple sparing. My bs prepared me ahead time that the loss of a nipple is roughly 20%.



I have be keeping the area dry and applying silvadene cream 2x a day and change my bandages. The bra does not feel tight. The covering ps said I can wear a sports bra.



Kate, thank you so much for responding to my post. You are a a real sweetheart!



Hugs,



Elise

jill47

Oh you are more than welcome Elise!  I'm glad you reached out to the ladies here.  Keep us posted on your healing and outcome.  Sweet hugs back, Jill

melmcbee

hugs to you Elise.

Annabella58

hi there, I've got one going on too, post reduction surgery.  In my case, the nipple is just fine, but the entire incision line split open, kind of like ladybug wings.  It looks horrible.  I do have necrosis on the edgeof the incision.

I was told it will heal eventually.  They have evacuated it once, saline flushed it, I am expressing any extra blood myself,  using warm compresses and keeping it clean and dry, altho I admit to putting a dab of bacitriacin on the worst areas.  It does look, gross to it is to look inside your own boob, like it is healing. 

I was told it would be highly unlikely this far out to get an infection but keep it clean, clean, clean.  your bra, too and your hands.  use swabs.

I don't know how mine will turn out, they don't know why it happened.  Just lucky I guess.

Good luck to us both!!

KellieDenise66

Hi gals, I'm 2 weeks post op from my NSBMX. I was large chested 36dd and very droopy. Had a wonderful surgical team take a chance on me. My left nipple (cancer side) looks great. Right side is very black, purple, and scabby. Doctors originally had that yellow zero form gauze on it but since my last visit with my ps 6 days ago, a dry gauze was placed. I was told to keep it clean, and dry. Both PS, and BS are holding out hope, and feel I may just have some superficial loss that will probably manifest itself as some scaring, which can be dealt with by adding pigmenting tattoo should I choose. I'm hanging tight, its hard to believe that this is hopeful, but many others have shared their similar stories so I'm gonna keep cheering "righty" on. I think I shared on another thread that my 11 yr old daughter walked in while my husband was changing my dressing, and began serenading my nipple to the tune of the bee gees "staying alive, stayin alive"!!! We are a little silly around our house. Gets us through the crazy times though.

No regrets, even if I lose the nipple. Promised that I'm DONE beating myself up. No second guessing, learning to let go a little, and love myself.



Anniealso, big healing wishes, what an ordeal you've been through. Pls keep us posted.

Beckers

Hi Kellie, I just had the last bit of scab fall off last week and my surgery was 8/9. Yes, there is a nice pink nipple under there. It takes a lot of patience. Lots of gauze, saline, gloves, tape and Bacitracin too! Hang in there.

KellieDenise66

Thanks Beckers! Congrats on your lovely scab-free nipple. I'm so happy for ya.

8-9!!!! Wow that is a while. Thanks so much for sharing.

Angel-of-Courage

Well, it looks like my left nipple (the good one) is a black scab. And now a week later the right one seems to be headed that same way. No one warned me ahead of time so thank goodness I found this site and learned it is not uncommon. Which my PS confirmed. When you read it happens in 20% of NS surgeries, it's a little more personal when you look down and see it happening to YOU! Praying for those pink nipples underneath!

Moderators

Welcome, Angel! Fingers crossed!

The Mods