Dog pulled hard, now implant is swelling and bruising

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PhillyEmma
PhillyEmma Member Posts: 47
edited November 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

Ugh!!! So just had my 3D tats and they look great. Have have a touch up next month around the scar issue on the right side but other than that, very happy with everything. Feeling blessed in my journey. 

Tonight was walking my pitbull mix and she pulled hard when I was pick up her mess and caught me off guard. I felt the discomfort immediate but not painful. A few minutes later, I got in the house to change for the gym and felt a large ripple on the inner left side of my right implant and saw immediate flushed bruising on the outer right side of it. Now I have a morning appointment to see my PS but I'm worried. I have smooth rounds so what could the large ripple be? It feels more like a lump maybe but it sort of pops when I touch it like it has air in it. 

I'm so frackin annoyed now. I felt like I crossed the finish line. 

Has anyone had a similar experience and turned out it righted itself? Or maybe was just ... Who am I kidding. My crazy dog messed up my implant. :-/

Comments

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2015

    I fell face first on my right implant three weeks after the exchange. I was black and blue and my PS said bleeding in the pocket could be a problem. She put me on papaverine (that is an old drug that increases blood flow). I had to have it compounded and insurance would not pay. I took it for six months. I have no damage from the fall. I've had three MRIs since and the implant is fine. Hope yours is too.
  • PhillyEmma
    PhillyEmma Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    Thank you for the reply! Poor you. That sounds scary. Three weeks after the surgery. I'm 4 months out.  What did you mean by compounded? 

    I'm happy to hear you didn't need to have to have surgery again. What a relief! 

  • sas-schatzi
    sas-schatzi Member Posts: 19,603
    edited November 2015

    Philly, Take it easy for too night. I know disingenuous, but they're is nothing you can do. With an injury that has an immediate bluish hue cast that's visible to the eye, and a mound can be felt is a hematoma. It already occurred and has been awhile. By morning it may infiltrate through the surrounding tissue. It'll look lots worse, but doesn't mean that it is continuing to bleed.

    Think of an IV site that has blown and the little lump it makes. Then think what it looks like in 24 hours, the bruise is several inches wide.

    OR a sprained ankle that has a localized swelling area with a slightly blue cast(shadow), then by the next day a wide margin of bruising.

    Generally, localized pressure and perhaps a cold pack in other situations would be indicated, but NOT when implants are present.

    Just put doing the same thing on your "do not do list" for the future.

    You did the absolutely right thing by getting in to see your PS. May seem dumb that I said that, but it happens that folks don't know when to call their docs.

  • PhillyEmma
    PhillyEmma Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    Thanks Sas. 

    It's getting sore now where the bruising is and still swollen. Like you said. No point worrying. Damage is done. Guess I'll have to wait to see what the morning brings and what my surgeon has to say. So lame. 

    Should have asked PS when he called if I should have be icing it because he didn't say either way...

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2015

    I took the prescription to a compounding pharmacy where they actually make it and put it in capsules. My pharmacist said papaverine was used for ED but it issuch an old med no drug co still makes it.

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2015

    oh - and I fell over a low dog barrier used to keep our 16 year old incontinent beagle out of the den. So, yes, another dog mishap!

  • PhillyEmma
    PhillyEmma Member Posts: 47
    edited November 2015

    Thank you for the responses. I appreciate it.

    Went to the PS this morning and he said it appears that when my dog pulled, she may have torn some of the capsules away that are attached to the implant and my pec muscles. He explained that the lumpy feeling on the inside and the swelling on the outside is the implant poking through the torn capsules. His advise was to see if the capsules healed themselves and reattached which could take anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months. It could happen according to him. He said that it might not happen and at that point, it would need a cosmetic touch up which would most likely consist of going back inside and basically using alloderm mesh to spackle. I go back in January for a check up and to determine which way moving forward.

    In the interim, he said I can still go to the gym and do my spin classes but probably shouldn't walk my dog. Really? LOL

    Again, thank you for coming to my 'rescue' to help reassure me. Nothing like the sisterhood to get you through a rough patch.

    xoxo

  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited November 2015

    Sorry to hear about the damage. I hope it heals on its own. Day two after my Mx I was walking my dog but I put together a longer lead and tied it to my waist so as not to compromise the surgery area.

  • Elizabethaw
    Elizabethaw Member Posts: 199
    edited November 2015

    I also walked my dog sooner than I could put pressure on my chest, so I also tied a leash to my waist. But then I couldn't use my arms to pull the leash tighter if I needed to (squirrels!). So I turned myself around in circles to wrap the leash around my waist! Pretty funny looking!! : )

    I hope you heal quickly Philly!

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