Nipple sparing unilat mx, now nipple problem?

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MaddieBrie1
MaddieBrie1 Member Posts: 122
edited August 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

I had a nipple sparing unilateral mx on left w immed reconstruction tissue exp placement on 8/7. Allowed to shower w 2 drains on lanyard on 8/9. On first follow up w plastic surgeon 1 week post op, everything looked pretty good. Outer dressings removed and one drain removed. Next follow up is 8/21. From first shower til yesterday, looked like some nipple discharge (a little crusty but looked normal to me), I expected this was normal. Today's shower left nipple now looks like it was sand papered, more redness and crusty discharge that softened and was wiped away when I dried off.

Q to the forum - have other people experienced this as well? I expected some discharge and maybe some granulated tissue once the flakier old skin on nipple renewed but not for it to look like it had been thru a bit of a meat grinder. I am concerned about infection and will be calling the surgeon Monday morning but just wanted to see if other folks had experienced nipple related issues after having a nipple sparing mx. Thanks.

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited August 2018

    I had a double nipple sparing mastectomy last year. I remember the PS telling me to look for darkening of the nipple which could indicate poor blood flow. Other than that I had crustiness from one for a while, but not the other. It would flake off if I rubbed it. I bought a lanolin cream that women who are nursing use on their nipples when they are chafed. Found it in the feminine/nursing/baby aisle of drugstore. I'd say its similar to Vaseline. It was around for about two weeks. I didn't think too much about it being crusty because I was looking for it turning black or oozing. I just figured it was part of it. Maybe it's a good sign..blood flow returning. Can't hurt to call the surgeon and maybe try a little dab of vaseline to keep it moist.

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  • MaddieBrie1
    MaddieBrie1 Member Posts: 122
    edited August 2018

    Thank you for the response beach2beach. I called and spoke w the practice nurse on call over the weekend and sent a brief pic of what my concern was. She said it wasn't uncommon and had me do some bacitracin instead of vaseline or lanolin after consulting w surgeon. Shower yesterday the spots on the nipple was most concerned about looked like healthy pink skin again. Whew. Unfortunately I also found out that the margin around the L nipple wasn't clear after all and there were more lymph involvement than initially thought. More surgery for me in the near future along w whole body PET/CT. I also got a private message response from several folks on board - thank you all!

    MaddieBrie1

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