Normal you think?

Hi girls.

Just wanted to update you on my incisions. I had the splitting stitches (I think) and they opened and I had some leaking out of it. I had it checked and it was thought to be an infection but the swab said no. I have been on antibiotics to be safe and will be for another month! The incisions have been open for about one month. I can tell one is closing slightly but they are still weeping a bit. I keep gauze there throughout the day and let them breathe too. There is always some on it. Not a crazy amount but deff there. My surgeon said it should be closed in about 2 weeks. It has now been 3. Cookie - I know you said you had this. Did it take this long to close? I did see some stitches a couple weeks ago coming out but now their gone...did they fall out?

Just wanted to see if this seems normal. Or does this seem like a rediculous amount of time? I had the incisions in the armpit so whenever I move my arm I could be slowing the healing by stretching the skin.

Thanks for input.

HOORAY for E's!

Elizabethvb20 wrote:Cookie - I know you said you had this. Did it take this long to close? I did see some stitches a couple weeks ago coming out but now their gone...did they fall out?

I had a dreadful time getting my stitches to close babe, but I was patient and followed the surgeons instructions to the letter and eventually, thank goodness, they did close.

I just checked back through my boobie diary for you hun and I was 10 weeks post-op when all openings finally closed.

In regard to your stitches hun, it's possible they could have simply worked their way out babe, which is a good thing. xxx

Thanks a lot cookie! I am 8 weeks today...they do look better and I am trying to be positive. Still blowdrying them after showers and keeping them gauzed up. Did yours leak the whole time? Thanks very much for the info. I'll be looking forward to 10 weeks

Yes Elizabeth, they did, but got less and less over the 10 weeks, I was discharging like a greeny, yellowy liquid... as long as the wound is now clear of infection, the wound should start to slowly knit back together babe. xxx

Yeah mine is green/yellowish too and that scares me because they always say that usually means an infection on any cut! On antibiotics for long time and keeping them clean. Thanks for informing me about everything. It's nice to know I am not alone.

No worries Elizabeth If you like you can read how my progress went along with how the infection was managed from this page [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] in my diary hun. xx

Sorry cookie one more question...doesn't yellow/greem weeping indicate infection? Or is it just because it is an open wound? I have been on antibiotics for a month (religiously) and still on them for a couple more weeks since my PS is away.

Does it always indicate infection?! Thats all I read.

Thanks

Not all the time hun but is something that should ALWAYS be checked and monitored.

Your surgeon should swab the wound to test for infection, my first swab indicated infection, I took a weeks supply of anti-b's and was swabbed again after, I did still leak the fluid but second swab came back OK and the wound did slowly start to close. xx

Ok hun thanks, I was swabbed on day one of the incision opening and it said no infection but looking at it before the results came back they said it was infected. I don't want to jynx it but this morning they look good! Still open but I can't see a hole anymore. There was also no leakage on my gauze but I only had it on for about 2 hours cause it fell off. So hopefully we are seeing improvement! Thanks babe.

Thats fab news babe! So pleased to hear of the improvement! x

So I noticed some blood on my gauze today...not like dark red but like coagulated blood...is this normal I am worried now. I am taking vitamin E and it is a blood thinner, could this be the problem? I just started taking it last week.

Elizabethvb20 wrote:So I noticed some blood on my gauze today...not like dark red but like coagulated blood...is this normal I am worried now. I am taking vitamin E and it is a blood thinner, could this be the problem? I just started taking it last week.

I wouldn't take blood thinners whilst you have an open wound hun so I think if I were you I'd stop taking those whilst your wound is trying to heal.

Call your clinic too babe, they may want to check on the progress of your wound and take a look at the discharge. xxx

Yeah I stopped taking them today. Unfortunately my PS is away till Sept 7! And I don't know if you rememeber but last time they were they had no one on the 24 hour line...same again this time. I even made sure there would be someone on call. Im pretty **naughty word**. There was only a tiny bit on my gauze this morning. I googled it and the first thing that came up was vitamin E and blood thinners! Maybe it is trying to scab? I don't know if that is possible on an incision. I am watching it today and if I am still concerned I will go to the ER and ask to see the PS on duty. I'll keep you updated!

my incisions scabbed babe, but I had no blood 'loss'.

I think it's pretty poor that you have no point of contact or support from your clinic during holidays it has to be said babe but I also think you're doing the right thing going to ER hun, hopefully all is well sweetness and please do let us know how you get on. xx

Just a thought Elizabeth whilst you're at ER, maybe you could ask about the possibity of a seroma hun, the reason I'm suggesting this is due to your swabs returning saying there was no infection, a 'possible' indicator of a seroma sweetness is yellow fluid leaking from the site and blood so may be worth mentioning for them to take a look into. xx

Oh no that sound scary...I have leaking from both incisions tho and they seem to be closing? Is that normal

Dont be scared hun, sometimes the fluid around the implant just needs draining, it sometimes just won't go on it's own, I'm not suggesting you 'do' have a seroma hun, I just think it's worth mentioning sweetheart seeing as this is continuing and there was no indication of infection on the swabs.

The incisions finally seeming to close is a VERY good sign though that it may be clearing up xxx

Oh gosh I hope it's not. Yeah I just googled (my fave thing to do) and it says usually it is reabsorbed over time. This is the first time I have had a little blood since they have been re-opened about 5 weeks ago! The right breast seems bigger than the left but it hasn't dropped...I don't know if I am going to the ER. You think it's ok to wait till Sept 7? OR is a seroma a deadly thing?

It's not 'deadly' hun, but if it were me, I'd want the problem treated 'now' and if there isn't a problem then at least I'd be reassured all was well till the surgeon returned next month. xx

Ok I think I will go or at least phone the ER. My ps said I could do this. I will let you know Now im scared!

You're gonna be just fine babe.

Hi again hun, I checked the gauze just now, I have had it on for about 4 and a half hours. No blood. Not a trace just the regular yellow/whitish **naughty word** stuff. I WAS doing laundry and hanging clothes yesterday so maybe I annoyed it. I am leaving work in one hour to go to the ER to be absolutely sure. They are so supportive. Thanks I will update when I am home.

I don't know why it beeped my word I put pus sy meaning pus! But i guess it thought I put the cat word for our privates

Elizabethvb20 wrote:Hi again hun, I checked the gauze just now, I have had it on for about 4 and a half hours. No blood. Not a trace just the regular yellow/whitish **naughty word** stuff. I WAS doing laundry and hanging clothes yesterday so maybe I annoyed it. I am leaving work in one hour to go to the ER to be absolutely sure. They are so supportive. Thanks I will update when I am home.

Good luck sweetheart! xx

Elizabethvb20 wrote:I don't know why it beeped my word I put pus sy meaning pus! But i guess it thought I put the cat word for our privates

Ok Cookie so I went to the ER...and after 3 hours of waiting I finally seen the doctor. I was glad to see it was the same one I had seen when I first went when the incisions opened. He was the one who took swabs so he could remember and see the progress! He said they look MUCH better and there is still a tiny hole and may take long to heal. I asked about the blood on the gauze and he told me about Hematoma...not sure how to spell! He said this forms commonly with this surgery. He told me it may just be trying to make its way out and that it is absorbed by the body. He also said the same thing about Seroma, it's not a big deal. He said it is so odd I wasn't infected on the swab because of the messy pus 4 weeks ago. He said the fluid is just making it's way out so it can begin to repair the new tissue. He also said MANY people come there whilst their surgeons are on holidays with no aftercare! He is not a plastic surgeon but I think I trust what he says. Let me know what you think about his opinion. Thanks!