Need some hope for those who lost TE due to infection

Misty1
Misty1 Member Posts: 272
edited August 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

after having successful recon eight yrs ago with a TE to implant, I went back for a proph mast on the other side. I was diagnosed with staph infection, tried clindomycin, and then went to hospital for iv drugs. Sent home with 10 days of zyvox. Showed some improvement but not enough. Started to develop blisters on skin. PS didn't like this after monitoring, so he took out TE last Tuesday

Now I guess I am waiting for skin to heal. For those of you who have lost the TE to infection, how long did you have to wait before trying again?

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  • Eschindler
    Eschindler Member Posts: 62
    edited August 2016

    I had to wait six months, but I waited twelve. I had a latissimus flap surgery in May 2016, after losing a TE last summer.

    My new attempt hasn't been without infection, but the healthy tissue from my back has allowed me to treat the infection without losing the TE.

    Hang in there!!!!

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  • trying2staypositive7
    trying2staypositive7 Member Posts: 96
    edited August 2016

    Hi!

    I had to wait 8 months. I had a staph infection and lost my TE and did the whole 10 days in the hospital (for the IV drugs). I had to have a wound vac for months. But after it closed my doctor waited and I ended up getting the DIEP flap. I've had that for a year and no infection as of yet! Hope that this helps. I think that implants are hard on the body after having a staph infection (at least that's what my doctor told me). Hopefully some more peeps will come along to share their stories. Good luck!

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  • Southern-girl
    Southern-girl Member Posts: 9
    edited August 2016

    I'm looking for Hope here. Recovering from surgery to remove second tissue expander that got infected! Am angry and scared as this is delaying other treatment. Mastectomy w/ expander placed in Dec. 2015 with removal Jan. 2016. Second try after chemo done June 2016 with removal August 5, just few days before radiation was to begin! My PS says TE's just won't work for me so reconstruction after radiation will be more complicated w/ more scars. Now he tells me 30% get infected! Argh! Hope you are healing well Misty1, just got my drain out today and am on antibiotics.

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  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited August 2016

    Thanks to all who responded. I was hoping to hear that this can be successful on the second try.

    so sorry, southern girl. It sounds like you had yours removed right after mine. The good news is I got the drain out last Friday and that always makes you feel better. Glad yours is gone, too. That must be very hard to have gone through it twice. I can't imagine. Feel free to message me if you want to commiserate. Lol. Looks like we are east coast girls.

    I am so frustrated because I had no problem on the left side eight years ago. My ps changed out that implant when I had the proph Rt mast on May 20th. No problem on that side whatsoever and it looks so good. I am the kind of person who likes to know when things will happen, so this whole unknown right now is driving me crazy, especially since one side looks so good. I'm going to see my PS next Thursday, so I'm hoping to hear that he thinks we can try again in the near future.


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  • myToyStory2
    myToyStory2 Member Posts: 162
    edited August 2016

    Looking for stories of hope, too! A battle with pseudomonas after my May BMX left me hospitalized twice in June for 2 additional surgeries and IV antibiotics - I was there for 13 days between the 2 stays. My right TE and alloderm were removed and replaced during the 2nd surgery, so although I didn't go through a period of time without a TE, I did have to start over and came out of the procedure flat on that side (my non-cancer side, of course). I feel like stories of future success with TE's and implant exchanges are few and far inbetween after a bacterial infection; it seems to lurk around and continue wreaking havoc; but maybe those ladies with happy results stop posting on these boards when they no longer have concerns. Trying to stay positive! Sending good wishes (and successful healing) to all!

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