Exchange City

My drain has been slowly working itself out since this morning (the stitch was gone this morning), so I just removed the whole thing, cleaned up the opening with hydrogen peroxide and covered it with a sterile pad and tape.  Guess I don't need to see the PS on Monday after all!  What a strange experience -- there was about a foot of tubing inside me and I just kept slowly inching it out until it was all in my bathroom sink.  The drain had stopped working, so I'm not too concerned, but it was strange.....

Have a great weekend.

Bonnie, I guess that was one way to get rid of your weekend guest.  I can't imagine inching the tubing out.  It hurt like a son of a gun when I had mine pulled.

Firni -- It really didn't hurt when the tube came out, but I was pretty nervous standing there in front of the mirror watching myself do it.  I did a web search first so I'd have some idea of what to do , but couldn't bring myself to pull the tubing out in one long motion like the instructions said, so it came out slowly, but surely. 

Lilah -- Thanks for the tip about the antibiotic ointment -- I'll definitely use some when I change the bandage.  When the PS pulled my previous drains. he didn't put anything on the opening but a bandaid and he didn't give me any instructions -- just said the holes close up pretty quickly and to keep it clean and covered for a couple of days.

Hope I did the right thing by removing the drain, but there was no way it could have stayed in place until Monday afternoon and the PS wouldn't see me today so it's a done deal.   

Oh Bonnie, After all you've been through it worries me that your drain has come out...  It is probably fine, but if I were you I would touch base with the surgeon tomorrow and just let him know, and also find out his protocol for managing the hole. Some like antibacterial ointments and some don't. I had 2 different PS's and one did and one did not. Sometimes they don't like to treat with an antibacterial unless you have an established infection at the site.

I like that MBJ! It appeals to my sense of thoroughness. Ha ha. I did the half bottle of Hibiclens in the shower at night and the other half in the AM routine. Nobody was caring much about my toes. I didn't even remove my nail polish and no one noticed.

Taking out the drain had nothing to do with being brave -- I was scared to do it.  However, it was really uncomfortable and it was late on a Friday afternoon.  My PS had already shut me down and something needed to be done, so I did it.  I could do it again and so could any of you if you spent 15 minutes telling yourself you could and then took it slow and easy.  I nearly threw up watching the creepy thing come out of my side, but am SO glad it's out and gone.

One of the nice things about your health care system in Canada, Mantra.  Much more humane, I think, to send someone to you like that (daily too)!

I'm just 3 weeks out of exchange on one side, reduction on the other (plus he cleaned up where the took out my nodes) and wondering how long it took for all the swelling and what not to go away.  The exchange side is actually really good it's the other side that is driving me bananas. Wake up at 5:00 in the morning because it's so uncomfortable.

 Because I was so damaged from the radiation he was pretty limited in what he could do but it's worked out not to bad.   Unfortunately the nipple thing doesn't seem to have worked but I'm sure there are other options available down the line.

Roberta -- yeah I had a lift and reduction on one side at same time as exchange and it took a long time for the swelling to really go away.  I ended up having a hematoma, so for me it was worse than usual (the whole bottom half of my boob was purple for a week or so).  Even now, 6 months post-exchange, there is still a small, hard spot left that is the remainder of the blood.  Since you still have breast tissue it will take longer to unswell than the MX side.... at least a month certainly for the main swelling to really be gone (that's just a guesstimate).  Everyone heals differently of course... but the key thing at this point is: patience.  That said, have you asked your PS about your discomfort?  I don't recall being uncomfortable after three weeks... though I DID have to sleep in a bra and I did NOT sleep on my side for months.  Are you sleeping on your side (since you say you are waking up with discomfort)?

Karen -- I was sort of hoping you wouldn't see my tale of woe after I saw your message about revisions.  This has been a tough time for me and it's probably a natural thing to place blame on the doctor, but it's partly just me and my "unique" body.   I really do appreciate your concern but am not going to call PS this weekend unless there is an obvious problem because I'm pretty sure it would be an exercise in futility.  My surgery site and the drain site both look fine today -- no swelling or other problems so far.  PM me if you want to talk before you make a decision about your revision.   Sorry ...... 

Thanks, MBJ & Dee! I'll try to get pictures up soon.

Dee: I'm feeling pretty good. I have some bruising, but all is good. I'm considering going to work on Monday, but am still a little bit on the fence about it. 

Bonnie, YOWEE on the drain story!!! So glad you are done with that!!  Hopefully now you are on your way to healing.  Keep the anitbio ointment on it 2-3 times/day.  Wishing your well, deekaay

I just posted pictures on the forum of my revision so far. The pictures are 12 days post-op. My implant was taken out and the TE was put back in to stretch the skin in my lower pole. I'd love your opinions! Please compare to the pictures at the beginning of the thread of my so called "completed" reconstruction.

Good luck on your fip surgery, Anna_M. I had mine this past week. I can't wait until the "unveiling" on Wednesday.

Jerusha: That was a good article in the NY Times Magazine today. It pretty much matched my feelings on a lot of the "pink" thing.