October 2015 Surgeries

ok ,have a question for everyone. I am 16 days out from surgery and had my drains removed on my 10th day post surgery. I haven't had any problems but today I got out of the shower and my right breast is leaking yellowish fluid at a steady rate. I was soaking gauze pads and my bras and finally used some maxi pads and it seems to have stopped for the night. The left breast had a little discharge as well but it was dark like dried blood. I contacted my breast surgeon and she said it should be fine but technically I needed to call my PS since I'm under her care for the reconstruction at this point. Anyone had any experience with this

They (ps, bs, nurses) usually always say that leaking is good...you don't want the fluid to stay inside and grow infection. Draining is good. However, they never explain how you can go from no drainage to drainage to no drainage again. Do you have a follow-up planned?

Hi, I am new here. I had a bmx skin sparing, nipple sparing direct to implant on Oct 21. I am still in considerable discomfort, and still have 2 drains. My ps won't remove drains until they are under 10cc, mine at 3.5 weeks post op are still putting out 20-30 cc's a day. I have developed some necrotic tissue and may need more surgery next week. I am now experiencing extreme skin sensitivity, it feels like sandpaper or a bad sunburn. I also have a lot of muscle contractions and it feels very tight all around my chest. It is really hard to try to stay positive. I am a mom of 3 young kids and a 2nd grade teacher. I knew that this was going to be hard, but I didn't think that I would still be this uncomfortable almost 4 weeks out, I am used to having a very busy and active life. I hate looking at myself, my left breast has areas of black tissue, and I am still bruised and swollen on both sides. I'm just wondering how much longer it is going to take me to heal?

Hi Ladies

I've been MIA for a bit. Was in Montreal for a long weekend last weekend for my nieces dance competition. Had a lot of fun and she did great. Of course 2 days off work and I ended up doing 15 hour days all week. UGH. Only getting around to my first fill end of next week though. I didn't want to go prior to going away in case I felt uncomfortable. Hope everyone's doing OK!

Hi Klmorales-

We want to welcome you to our community here at BCO. We're sorry for the struggles you're having! We know it's not much consolation, but what you're experiencing is fairly common. Hopefully it begins to subside soon, and you find some relief!

The Mods

I'm 4 weeks post op today. Both my drain wounds are tender to touch. I'm also getting random shooting pains in them which I'm assuming is down to the healing that is going on behind the scenes/under the surface. My incisions are also tender to touch but not as sore as the drain sites. I also have this tugging feeling in the centre of my IMF incision, is this an internal stitch?

Update from me...

Four weeks and four days past surgery (who's counting). All four drains came out at day 7, my TEs were placed with 260 and 300 cc to help fill the envelope of my D breasts. I have had a fill for the past three weeks and I have my last fill on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving I will be at about 600 cc and the exchange is scheduled for 12/28. (42 days). He said he would do some fat grafting at the exchange. Shocked me. Wondering what that will be like. I was thinking my downtime/recovery from the exchange would be pretty fast maybe a week. Now with Fat Grafting worried it will be longer. I was trying to manage with Vacation days. Disability was such a pain. Overall really nothing to complain about. The TEs pinch a lot and I feel like I have bricks strapped to my chest and I drive like I'm 80 so I hate driving. But it can't be that bad today was my first day back at work. I survived. Headed off to search fat grafting experiences.

They offered me very little advice and probably this fruit of the loom sports bra is aggravating it. I didn't have any dressings, so I was using wash clothes. They said no hydrogen peroxide and no antibiotic ointment. There's a red rash I think it's from the cloths - they were nubby. I go change to a silky camisole thanks. Does your skin feel irritated in the general area. Don't worry - no picking.

Ok then I guess I'm on course, I'm not as read as that. Only one side done. Definitely looks like sunburn and burns! Had to stop the lidocane cream though, I'm getting terrible leg cramps. Almost afraid to move. Drinking lots of water. Weather changed, heat is on a lot. Have stopped the wash cloths, no more leaking yay! What a nuisance. I'd like to have a dollar for each minute I spent on the drains! Going to try coconut oil next. I should have thought of Kleenex for gauze. I used up all the gauze. Oh well. Don't want a do-over : ) The camisole w/no bra helps now. Keep me posted.

I'm five weeks out and I have some redness around the incisions and still have quite a bit of skin sensitivity (although not as bad as in the beginning) and soreness around the entire surgical site. I'm seeing my surgeon again tomorrow, I'll see if he thinks this is all expected at this point.

CateM, my drain woulds are also still tender. They have been more painful that the actual incisions, because they aren't numb.

Cubbie2015 - Great to hear that what I'm feeling is normal. It is a surprise that the tiny drain wounds are more uncomfortable than the 3 inch IMF incision. I'm not complaining because its better this way around.

Is anyone putting anything on the drain wounds to keep from getting infected?

So, I have to go back for margin cleaning Friday on my lumpectomy done 10/28. They said it's only a 15 min surgery and up until now it has not occurred to me that I might end up with another drain? Anyone?

Thank you Gabby, I hope not again! Ever!

CateM - my drain area, axillary redness has gone down. Didn't need to put anything on it all day. The wound pain is less. yay! Burning and numbness in my arm better today, but still there.

Marijen - Thats excellent news, perhaps it was the washcloths that were aggravating the drain sites. I'm so pleased that you are more comfortable.

Cabbie2015 - I've been worried about the swelling/puffiness under my arms, the front of my armpit and you have put my mind at rest. You are ahead of me by 11 days so I now know my puffiness won't be going down anytime soon.

I love this thread for the reassurance it offers and the reassurance you can offer others. Glad I found it.