Infection after DIEP?

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hopefor30
hopefor30 Member Posts: 88
edited February 2018 in Breast Reconstruction
Infection after DIEP?
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  • mwoodrowe
    mwoodrowe Member Posts: 125
    edited December 2007

    Hi there..i have not had a problem so far since diep but i did end up with an abcess after i had a lumpectomy and radiation.  it had to be packed once a day.  it took a while but it did heal.   hang in there! 

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  • laura09
    laura09 Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2007

    Hi MAMHOP



    I also had an infection after my double diep flap reconstruction. I ended up in the hospital for an extra week for IV antibiotics, and then had to pack the "hole" for another 6 months while I had chemo. I had to surgically have the wound debrided and closed up, as no healing happened during chemo, but I am happy to say it is fine cosmetically and physically now 1 year later. Hang in there........

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  • BessB
    BessB Member Posts: 220
    edited December 2007

    Hi Mamhop - very sorry you are having problems with your surgical site.  Did you have drainage tubes that did not drain, or was the drainage from the infection? I will say a prayer for you and am sending warm thoughts your way.  I am scheduled for a bi-lateral with immediate reconstruction at Johns Hopkins early January.  I think the closer it gets the more scared I get.  I wish you well and will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    JulsB

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  • kcq
    kcq Member Posts: 166
    edited December 2007

    MAMHOP

    How are you doing?  I havent been on the board in a few days.  My uni mast.diep was two weeks ago.  So far, so good.  Although, my father (who was my caregiver for three days) has a staph infection.  Did your ab and breast incisions open?  I was wondering how soon after your surgery that your wounds opened.  Take care and I will continue to pray for your healing.

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  • viddie
    viddie Member Posts: 547
    edited December 2007

    Hi Mamhop,



    I did not have an infection, but my incision did separate. It was pretty deep and I also had to pack it twice a day. I also thought it would affect my flap- that was the part that separated, but it did not. It took around 5-6 weeks to completely heal. It is not totally smooth, but Dr. Lee said that he will fix any imperfections during Stage 2. The tape started to bother me, so I wore a bra 24/7 to hold the bandage. That worked great. Now I go bra-less and love it. It will heal. Hang in there. That is great news that you do not need chemo.

    Viddie

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  • KarenAus
    KarenAus Member Posts: 94
    edited February 2017

    I am 5 weeks out of having my diep and have had infection in 3-4 stitch site from about 2 weeks after. I am now on my 4th lot of AB's and got prescrition today for more. I had bad infections in that site 6 months after my mastectomy and 3 more after that. Not sure what the next step is if it doesn't clear. Last time I was back in surgery for the thorough clean out.

    KarenAus

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  • georgiaredskin
    georgiaredskin Member Posts: 214
    edited February 2018

    Did anyone get a UTI after their diep? I had my diep on 1/22. Had a fever the day after discharge and chills so they added some oral antibiotics. I have had vaginal irritation (but that has happened after surgery before) but now it burns when I pee and there is terrible urgency and frequency. Going to call my PS in an hour or so. I’m sure I will need to go in for a pee test somewhere

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited February 2018

    yes. The catheterization is typically to blame. The antibiotic they gave you may not have covered all the bacteria. They will likely call in a broader spectrum antibiotic initially & culture the urine sample. A product called Cystex can help with the burning and urgency. Another product called Uricalm Cranberry plus Mannose-D can help with the infection and help keep you from having recurrent infections. Hope you feel better soon! imageimage

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  • georgiaredskin
    georgiaredskin Member Posts: 214
    edited February 2018

    Hi Lula73!

    Thank you so much for your reply! That is exactly what they did-called in Levofloxacin. And I asked my husband to pick up AZO and cranberry caps earlier today! Thanks again

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