infection 3 weeks after reconstruction

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Debe772
Debe772 Member Posts: 11
edited February 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

I had my 3rd reconstruction surgery. This time my doctor used a Mentor implant and Strattice instead of alloderm. I needed something a bit stronger to hold my breast in place. Anyway 3 weeks out and I got an infection. On a Friday, I wasn't feeling well one day, honestly flu like, and by night I had a fever. This lead into the next day with nausea and aches as well. If I didnt have the surgery, I would have thought flu immediately. I still had my surgical drain in and I went to measure it. Well instead of a clear yellow, I got a murky brown. My breast was hot and a bit swollen.

I called my doctor and he didnt seem to think it was related , but possibly I had another underlying condition going on. He did order 2 antibiotics to kill an infection, if I had one. by Sunday, I still had most symptoms, except my drain fluid was becoming clear again. I followed up with an appointment on Monday. When I went to see him Monday, I still had a low grade temp, aches, nausea and my breast hurt, was swollen and warm. He still did not think it was the breast. Said the fluid in the drain was brown and smelly, because it was time for it to come out (21 days). He pulled the drain and it burned all the way out. That has never happened to me before.

Today is wednesday and I still have a low grade temp and a warm breast, plus swelling. I dont know if I just hang tight till my next appt. Monday or what. Could it be the flu and an infection of the breast? Im on 2 different antibiotics, so I would think the symptoms in my breast would have changed by now. Its been 4 days.

Any help or feedback is appreciated

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited January 2016

    Do you know if your doctor cultured any of the drain fluid?  I would question if he is administering the correct type of antibiotic for any infection if he does not know what the bacteria or fungal type is.  It is important to identify this or the infection may linger and not go away.  If you have a hot and swollen breast post-surgically you need resolution or risk losing your new reconstruction.  Your drain may have burned on the way out because there was still pressure on the bulb, they tend burn of the valve is not opened prior to removal.  It can take several days for antibiotics to reach effectiveness but I would be concerned about whether you are the correct drug regimen - might be worth consulting an infectious disease doc.  Good luck!

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  • Debe772
    Debe772 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2016

    He did not take a culture. I am on bactrim and cipro. I was on duricef, but had an allergic reaction to that and had to change.

    Being my 3rd reconstruction on my right side, I have that worry in the back of my head that this could fail. Everything looked great up until week 3.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited January 2016

    I understand your worry - my original surgery with recon was in 2010, lost that due to skin integrity issues and needed to move on to chemo.  Received a new expander in 2011, was successful through exchange, but lost the left side implant in 2014 after surgery for a repair of allograft and just received a new expander last month.  I never had any infection, just skin that wouldn't close, or stay closed.  I am concerned that while you have two broad spectrum drugs that they may not be specific enough for what you have going on.  If you don't see improvement after a solid 72 hours - contact your PS and press the issue.  I might be worth getting some IV antibiotics to combat what is surely an infection - you don't want to take any additional risk.

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  • Debe772
    Debe772 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2016

    I spoke with my PS yesterday. I also sent him a picture. My last visit with him was Monday. He still does not feel it's an implant infection. Said it would be more cherry red and water bed like feel when you touch the breast. It just doesn't explain why it's warm, pink and swollen. Plus I have pain right around the cleavage area. He mentioned IV antibiotics, but said it wouldn't be any different then what I was taking now. So honestly, I don't know what to think. I see him again Monday

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  • marketingmama
    marketingmama Member Posts: 161
    edited February 2016

    Debe, totally agree with SpecialK. I would push on this issue. I developed an infection about 2 weeks after exchange. Red breast, hot to touch but no fever. My PS was aggressive in starting antibiotics, attempting to culture fluid (they couldn't pull any) and ultimately getting me in the hospital to remove the implant--after a day of broad spectrum IV antibiotics. His view was that my signs definitely indicated an infection and he was not willing to risk waiting it out. Some PS are less conservative than mine but I trusted his judgement and experience. I don't mean to alarm you but sometimes we have to be our best advocates.

    Best of luck!

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  • Debe772
    Debe772 Member Posts: 11
    edited February 2016

    thank you for replying. I forget I need to log in to see any updates. It took a good 10 days of oral antibiotics to clear any infection. I was on 3 different things. The redress is gone and so is the pain. It's still a little warm to the touch, but now I can't remember if it was cooler after surgery.

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