TE exchange, drains, and possible infecton

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suz2016
suz2016 Member Posts: 32
edited October 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

I had my te transfer a week ago Friday (10 days ago).

History - I had my mastectomy in May with a te. I had drains for 4 weeks, then they came out. still had major drainage so one drain went back in. that was there for over 3 weeks then pulled. I had one needle drain after that at 8 weeks.

So, needless to say I wasn't thrilled at all when I found out the te transfer I would have drains again.

As of today I was still draining 50ml a day. doctor pulled the drain anyway so my fingers are crossed. he also said theres a good chance I have an infection so he's doing a culture. he said I shouldn't be draining still. but, then again, I went 8 weeks the first time.

So either I'm really really juicy for some weird reason, or I'm having complications.

Anybody here have any advice, or experience in this area? maybe a first hand account?

Thank you all!!!

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  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 83
    edited October 2016

    suz2016 - In my post to you on 10/15 on exchange city, I mentioned that I had my drains for 3 wks. I researched a bit because I thought they would come out the week following exchange to implants surgery. It seems that everyone is different in how much fluid they produce & some women (like us) produce a lot more and keep their drains in for as long as 5-6 wks. I was producing 50 ml/ day at 10 days post op and even longer than that. Did your PS say why he thought the output was too high especially given your previous surgery & length of time you had to keep the drains in? Have you been on antibiotics this whole time to help prevent infection? That was the hardest part for me - having to take antibiotics & enduring the side effects until the drains came out. My PS finally pulled both drains at 3 wks. & when she removed the right one fluid spurted out all over my post-op dr. visit shirt and I was soaked! Yes, I learned the hard way the first time that taking out drains can be a messy procedure. I'm sending a prayer your way that you do not have an infection!. You are just "really really juicy for some weird reason" as you put it & you will heal quickly & with a great result! May your culture results come back negative for infection on Wed.!

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  • FUBC
    FUBC Member Posts: 137
    edited October 2016

    Suz, were you given antibiotics after the surgery? I took antibiotics until the day they removed the drains and I took antibiotics for 5 days after my exchange surgery. So no infections for me though I had other complications. Also, my mother (a doctor) explained that the blood being drained is due to the breast tissue they removed and when the blood turns yellow (plasma) that means the area is healing. I wonder if the TEs are interfering with the healing process.

    I hope the culture will tell whats wrong.

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  • suz2016
    suz2016 Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2016

    yes, I have been on antibiotics since the surgery.

    I'll know tomorrow if anything grew from the culture. so far so good. the foob doesn't look any different than it did when they pulled it monday. so I'm hoping that's good. it doesn't feel full, or even sore at all. by now I would have drained about 100ml but it feels and looks normal, so we'll see!! fingers crossed.

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