Incision beginning to open 6 weeks post op??

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adowd12
adowd12 Member Posts: 2
edited November 2014 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

My mom is 6 weeks out of a double mastectomy with reconstruction (TE). Everything seemed to be moving along (JP drains were removed by PS when they drained 15ml or less). This past week I noticed the incision on her right side was losing its scab. The left was already smooth and seemed to be healing accordingly. Once the scab on the right side had worn away I noticed what seems to be an opening or hole for lack of a better term about a half inch wide in diameter. It seemed to be producing a small amount of white puss. I was so concerned I immediately rushed her to her BS (PS is on vacation) he prescribed my mom ointment and told her to shower and apply the ointment 2x a day and cover with sterile gauze. She's was also prescribed antibiotics. Over the past few days I can't say this incision is looking any better, it seems to still be producing puss and not scabbing over or healing in any way. My mom is so worried and I hate seeing her like this her bravery is beginning to wear out. I was wondering has anyone out there experienced their wound opening a bit and revealing a white substance? What should we do? We have a follow up appointment after the weekend, but I would love to be able to make her feel better. Thank you so much, well wishes and hugs to all!!!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2014

    We're sorry to hear of your mom's problems but glad you found BCO forums. Members here will certainly advise you of some of their experiences as wound openings over TEs are not uncommon. We are glad you are going to see your BS ASAP as infections are something to be treated carefully, as they are all too common in breast surgery. 

    At best they decrease scar neatness but they can cause numerous complications. Please treat this carefully as puss is the body's natural reaction to infection (puss is largely white blood cells) ans an open wound is something to be very wary of.

    The Mods

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  • kamm
    kamm Member Posts: 140
    edited August 2014

    I also had a problem with my right incision. When my PS released the sutures it had not healed so over the next six weeks I had to just let it heal from the inside out. Healed beautifully and had my exchange. Than two weeks later for no reason, the top layer of it decided to peel like a blister. Had to let it re-heal again and again it has healed beautifully. My question to you is are you sure your looking at puss or are you looking at the the white milky covering that you will sometimes see when the skin is regenerating? It sounds to me like it may be the latter. When a wound is healing open it produces a whiteish substance that is actually part of the healing process. If there aren't other symptoms of a localized infection like increased redness, soreness, streaks etc. it prob isn't infected and is just healing. It won't scab either. It will just eventually fill in with fresh tissue. It might help you to google wound healing and you can get info from that. Healing open just takes patience and it does take weeks.

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  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 1,111
    edited August 2014

    Adowd12,

    I have been and currently am dealing with a similar situation. Since my exchange on one breast the incision hasn't healed leaving a hole like u described. The ps has excised that area( cut away unhealthy skin and re stitched the area 4 times! It would heal, scab over and a couple weeks later the scab falls off leaving an open hole again!  2 weeks ago ( my BMx was jan 29 and exchange June 2), the scab fell off, I had a 102.6 temp and the breast skin was red. I was hospitalized for 3 days and put on I'V antibiotic. I had the area excised again, she cleaned out the pocket w antibiotic ( like a power washing) and re stitched and glued incision. I'm hoping it works.  She said the skin is thin in this area and with the weight of the implant it isn't allowing  the area to heal. If it becomes infected again I may lose the implant. 

    Talk with ps and bs for/ with your mom. If its an infection you want to treat it ASAP!!!! The longer u wait the more likely she will lose te. 

    Good luck!!!! 

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  • adowd12
    adowd12 Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2014

    hello all, 

    I am currently writing this from the hospital. I brought my mom in because she began a fever. Unfortunately she is going to need both tissue expanders out. Her wounds we're not responding to antibiotics. I thank you all for your advice and kind words. We're just beginning this long journey and finding it difficult to navigate at the moment, but I know she will persevere. Thanks again! 

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  • kamm
    kamm Member Posts: 140
    edited August 2014

    Ohhhh ,so sorry to hear that! Hang in there!

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  • agness
    agness Member Posts: 576
    edited August 2014

    Sending healing thoughts. It is good that you both have been so vigilant.

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  • terimccollum
    terimccollum Member Posts: 2
    edited November 2014

    Sounds like what has happened to me. My incision is green/yellow discharge and dr prescribed Bactroban ointment which stung, so gave me bacitracin samples, and Cipro750 mg twice daily til he says to stop, since i hadnt been on antibiotic since 2 weeks post op with no one telling me to go get refills of the keflex. Now after about five days, dr scheduled me for revision surgery ......incising the infected incision and putting ANOTHER jp drain in .....it will be 6 weeks post op this coming thursday.

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