Fluid draining from spot in incision

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LKSHER
LKSHER Member Posts: 209
edited July 2014 in Breast Reconstruction

I had reconstruction at the end of March. Implants after tissue expanders.

Yes, I had radiation on my left side and I was and am aware of the risks.

I have a great result, except a few weeks ago a couple little fluid filled spots popped up on my incision line.  I squeezed one of them and it drained fluid, but has since closed and healed, but my plastic surgeon drained the other one for a few days in a row, manually and now it drips fluid all day every day. I keep it clean and covered.  The left side is always mildly sore and harder than the right.

I had it checked by my mastectomy breast surgeon and my plastic surgeon.  Opinion is either spitting stitches or seroma.  Cultures done and preventative antibiotics taken.  No infection.

I just want it to stop leaking and heal.  I just want to move on so badly.

Has anyone had this and not lost the implant and their body healed it on its own?  If so, how and how long did it take.  I can't feel or see a seroma or a stitch.

It's just a little hole in the incision that leaks fluid like a slow drip at all times now.

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  • Ally2345
    Ally2345 Member Posts: 320
    edited July 2014

    LKSHER-  I did not have radiation so I am not much help but I am sure some of the other ladies on this board will have had something similar.  It seems like you are doing all the right things by having both your BS and PS check it out.  I know that some women use panty liners in the bras to either cushion or even help absorb fluid.  Maybe it just takes time.  Hang in there and let us know how you are doing!!

    Ally

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  • LKSHER
    LKSHER Member Posts: 209
    edited July 2014

    Thanks, Ally.  That was so sweet of you to take the time to write.  Panty liners are a great idea.

    I really wanted to be able to swim this summer.  Struggling to not let this get me too down.  It's also holding up my plan to get back in shape.  

    I hope someone had this same thing and can tell me it resolved itself sooner than later.

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  • LKSHER
    LKSHER Member Posts: 209
    edited July 2014

    bump

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited July 2014

    Hi Lksher. Im sorry that you are going thru this. I had a similar situation but under different circumstances. I had radiation and I have smoked all of my life so I had problems with my incision healing. However it did not leak. I ended up with cellulitis twice and lost the breast but again I smoke so don't let that worry you. It just takes a long time to heal but it will heal. You are doing right by keeping it clean. I would suggest not swimming unless your doctor says it is ok. I think I even swam in a pool when I should not have. Lesson learned. I promise if you are just a little more patient then it will heal completely and you will be able to get on with your life and will not even remember this delay. I wished I would have been more patient. Good luck and healing hugs

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  • LKSHER
    LKSHER Member Posts: 209
    edited July 2014

    Aw.  Thank you, Mel.  I am sorry for what you went through.  It's so nice to feel cared about here.  No one, supposedly close to me, understands at all.  It's very lonely and depressing sometimes.

    I thought it was closing up, but it was just a film of skin trying to heal, but the fluid and some blood burst through when I showered today.  So frustrating!  Back to doc in the am.

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  • Sodie1017
    Sodie1017 Member Posts: 38
    edited July 2014

    I started PT a few weeks ago and she checked my incisions and said I needed to massage them to break up the scar tissue. One day, fluid came out. It didn't smell, so I don't think I have an infection. The PT checked the area again and we both felt it was a stitch that didn't dissolve. It hasn't happened again. We're leaving on vacation today and I was looking forward to tubing down a river. I'm a little paranoid now and think I'll skip that activity!

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  • HGL4969
    HGL4969 Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2014

    Hi - I had a similar situation.  I had reconstruction/direct to implant in November.  The incision on my radiated breast had an 1/8th or 1/4th of inch spot that would never heal and occasionally drain a drop or two.  In the following April, the surgeon re-cut it and re-stitched it and it's never been a problem since.

    After one of my revisions, there was a part of the incision not readily healing and the PA had me pack it with saline and gauze several times a day and it healed up on its own.

    Good luck.

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  • LKSHER
    LKSHER Member Posts: 209
    edited July 2014

    Update:

    A staph infection was found.  I am having my gummy bear switched out for a saline implant that can be filled slowly over time this Friday.  I will be on antibiotics for a while.  I am very upset, but what can I do?

    I decided not to go back to tissue expander and then implant, when this is kind of like a tissue expander anyway, and if it works and looks and feels okay and matches okay, I will avoid another surgery.

    I am hopeful this will work and the infection (which I believe is a bad reaction to the seri mesh), will clear.

    It will be strange to have one silicone and one saline implant, but my thought is that the capsule on my radiated side was making the implant feel tight anyway, so maybe this softer implant will actually make them feel more matched.

    Interested to know others' thoughts.

    Thanks to everyone who has shared and will share their experiences and well wishes.  I wish the best for every person who comes to these boards and that somehow I help others and will be able to help more in the future.

    Man, I'm down about needing another surgery.  Can I still get my nipple tattoos with saline?  Please say yes.  I am scheduled with Vinnie in January.

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