Implant out - home and well

Hi girls

Just to let you know I had surgery today and all went well. Was nervous and a bit teary this morning at the prospect of my body disfigurement (one DD cup one A). Surgeon had a full list at theatre today and he was good enough to take me second, so I was back on ward for 1pm. I have a small drain in situ which is draining a very minimal amount of fluid. Am in a bit of pain, but nothing painkillers wont handle.

Anyways, Mr Scott came to see me afterwards and said, sure enough there was a considerable bit of infection underneath, which he has cleaned out and they gave me IV antibiotics in surgery. He would like me to return to his clinic tomorrow morning. I have asked if I can be under his care now (after doing research he specialises in breast reconstruction and this area tends to have a lot of complications, so I would like to think he will pick up anything untoward ie this happening again!) He said this should be ok. I do get a really good feel about him, he looks at me in the eye and listens to me, which is more than I can say for my other PS!!!!!

Anyway, my friend (male friend who is my rock - like a brother) is here and looking after me........just thought I would let you know Im ok and I dont actually feel that bad about the way I look. I know its not forever and Im just grateful I wasnt waking up to a boob being cut off which is what a lot of poor women with cancer have to face......

To be continued - but overall a good day - at least Im finally moving forward and the nasty infection cleared out!!



xx

So pleased to hear you're through the first and definitely worst part! Anything else to follow will be for the better so you get resting Katy :) x

Oh sweetheart, I've been hoping for news from you today I'm so pleased all has gone well lovely and you that you have a good friend to lean on and give you the support you need right now.

You're a brave lady Katy and how you've handled this situation is an inspiration to us all xx

Great news Katy I admire you for how strong you are and I hope you recover well and eventually get the results you want xx

Massive (gentle) so pleased you are on the right track now xx

Take it easy lovely xx

I LOVE your positive attitude hun. Keep it up. I am so happy you are ok. Take care of yourself xx

Glad to hear it went as well as can be expected and your ok my lovely and its so good to hear your attitude is fab. Well done you, i dont think i would of been so brave. xxx

glad your okay Katy and as already said, amazing positive attitude; that will go a long way to helping your recovery

I've only just caught up with your story, Im sad that you have had to go through this but I'm sure you're through the worst!

Your positive attitude will help you through your recovery and you will soon have your boobs looking lovely again.

Rest up xx

How you feeling today hun?? xx

Hi Katy,glad your feeling ok and keeping your chin up!!!,Its good youve got a good friend to give you support at this time!!! Take it easy Lots of lovexx

You're very inspiring honey I'm so glad it's all done and you're feeling ok. Thinking of you xx

Hi girls

Im not bad thanks! Went to see PS today at his clinic (when I say PS now, I will be referring to my NEW surgeon as dont want to lay eyes on the other one again!). Drain came out and he's quite happy. Just to monitor over next few days for any further signs of infection, but he is confident it was all cleared out. Ive to change my dressings 2/3 times a week and to go back to see him in a weeks time.

My wee one was in nursery today so just left the pink plastic bombsite that is my home lol and went back to bed after I got back from clinic.....i have to rest as much as possible and I can only do that when I dont have my wee tootsie, good thing is she sleeps well at night, so just off to bed just now.....

Its a really nice way to end the night coming on here and getting all the support, i will get more involved with others stories once Im better but just focusing on me just now.

Have managed to keep all this from my wee ones dad (dont know how!) but he is basically suffering from a mental health problem and refuses to get treatment, he has gone from aggressive and hostile to now wanting me back and basically looking for me to fix him.......I think all this has stuff with my boobie has happened for a reason cos Im absolutely letting him go (we've been split for a year and there never was a chance in getting back, just wanted him to be a dad) made myself ill last year trying to help him!! And if ever theres a time I need to look after myself its now......me and my baby come first, he is responsible for himself!!

Just a wee bit of background for you re my stressful situation, but thankfully Ive got really good people around me.

One day at a time!! xx

With everything you're going through and doing this all on your own lovely, it takes one heck of a women to do it with the courage you've shown lovely and you have my deepest admiration babe, not just how you've handled the seroma, but also how you're dealing with your private life too - Massive respect hun.

You make sure you make plently of time for yourself hun and if you get any offers of support from friends or family to help with your little one, as much as I know you love her hun, I also know how tiring toddlers are so do accept any help and take advantage of the time to rest

One day at a time!!

Absolutely the best way you're gonna get though babe... that and the positive outlook you already have will make for a great recovery! xx

Aw huni you are so brave I'm glad all seems to be going well with your new PS having a two year old and two others on my own as well I know how hard it is, forget the house and what it looks like get your rest my lovely. You need to take good care of yourself and u don't need any extra stress at this time. If u ever need to talk I am in a similar situation to you I split with my childrens dad a year ago he was agresive and now wants me back. Its very stressful so I know how u feel. Big hugs get well soon xx

So happy that you are on the road to recovery and that your new PS is looking after you now xx

Look after yourself hun xx

cookie wrote:With everything you're going through and doing this all on your own lovely, it takes one heck of a women to do it with the courage you've shown lovely and you have my deepest admiration babe, not just how you've handled the seroma, but also how you're dealing with your private life too - Massive respect hun.

Thanks so much girlfriend!! Yea, could right a book with everything Ive gone through!!!! So when this happened, I was like.....only me!!!!! Lol, at least I can laugh!!

You're absolutely right tho, it is full on with the wee one, esp now her dad is not well enough to take her occasionally....one of my good friends is taking her on Sunday for a few hours and Ive got her in nursery for a few hours 3 days a week so I am getting a break!

Hey Ive not managed to work out the multi quote thing but thanks to all of you for your lovely comments and support.

Pammie, it is tough, sorry you've had a hard time too, it aint easy eh?

Had a good day today.......hope you are all well...

Talk soon xx

Hiya Katy,


Sorry been working & just caught back up with your story!


WOW! You are one brave & strong woman!!!
I am glad you've got good friends around you aswell during this stressfull time!
this is a time to def focus on you & your wee one. You's are the most important people here.
hope your healing well hunni & Taking it as easy as you can.
Sending massive hugs your way! xxx

Heyyyy Just read your story, excatly the same thing happened to me :( i was gutted being left with one Awesome boobie but it actually hasnt been that bad....i only really was concious of it when taking my babies swimming, I have a very supportive fam that got me through and my re-op is next sat 21st july!! Just bit nervous about getting another infection fingers crossed i dont!

How long do you have to wait for your Re-Op?xxx

Hey - I was just about to post on your thread too!!

It means a lot to find someone who has been through the same thing.....so you have one implant in like me? My left one is lovely! Im just praying I fast forward where I have a right one just like it!!

Even though its only been 10 days, I agree it isnt THAT bad......(ive put a new thread up today re my PS appt yesterday). Dont get me wrong, the thought of being like this forever would be awful, but I think its easier knowing its only for a short time....you just have to get on with it dont you?!

Hope you dont mind me asking, did you smoke or overdo it?? I did unfortunately, but have given up for three weeks now, Im still using gum but as long as im giving my red blood cells plenty of oxygen to be in optimum health for wound healing and low risk of infection (and of course ALL the other benefits of not smoking!!) I also lifted my one year old about a week after op and this is when it all started.

Dont know if you read my story, basically I take responsibility for perhaps not looking after myself and putting myself at a much greater risk of it happening, but I had a nightmare for weeks where it wasnt dealt with and caused me a lot of unnecessary stress and hassle. Just trying not to focus on the negativity of the whole situation as I have a new PS now and he is great.

He has told me minimum 6 weeks, but I reckon from what Ive read it will be more like what you've had to wait....I will just see what he says when I go back in August.

Are you nervous about Sat? I know I will be for re-op where I wasnt really for my first one. My PS says the chances of it happening again, are REALLY low, will try and find a statistic to reassure you!!

Aw hun, hope it all goes ok...Im sure it will

xx

Hey

Yes i only have the one implant remaining my lefty was removed...I had the same thing for weeks i kept saying something wasnt right but they kept saying its normal and just fluid build up then the 5th week my lefty starting leaking then it was like turning a tap on it was disgusting...major infection rushed in had it taken out and the area was cleaned given strong antibiotics which cleared the infection up straight away but my PS said it would be a minimum of 3 months after infection otherwise you would be at greater risk of it happening again and you would need to wait for the scar tissue to heal and soften!! I would check that hun cause even though it would be amazing to have both boobies back after 6 weeks from all the research i have done it seems its always a minimum of 3-6 months.

I think i did over do it but i have young children also and if they need picking up then you have to do it...even after 2 weeks lifting my 2 yr old in and of the car seat was difficult but my partner works and i have to get the kids to school etc so its just impossible to not lift your children, also i smoke not much bout 5 a day if that but my PS said that is not a contributing factor to my infection.

I wasnt nervous for the first one either and was told then how rare the risks are but now i have been through this it does make me nervous that the same thing will happen again.

Please keep me updated as i will you.

Fingers crossed for us we just want two Awesome boobies not just one :) xxxxx

Hi honey

Thanks for your reply. Sounds like we were in very similar position. My 'wonky' boobie was swollen for a few days and then started leaking (like you, like a tap) then just seeping fluid for weeks. My PS kept saying it was probably fatty necrosis and highly unlikely infection where I would need surgery!

Anyways out now and I agree with you, from what Ive read it is minimum 3 months for healing, so I will be taking this up with PS when I see him in August (new PS btw!).

If your operation is tomorrow you will be nervous Im sure, just try and focus on positive thoughts and visualise your beautiful PAIR of boobs in the not too distant future!!!

I was like you, I only smoked 5-10 a day. The circulation is important for wound healing, and the red blood cells dont carry as much oxygen in smokers (which is important in good circulation). I feel that I didnt CAUSE the problem by smoking but I question if I hadnt smoked at all afterwards, could it have healed up with the antibiotics? Who knows! Its so difficult to stop I know, I dont know if I wont start again after this (how bad am I to smoke in the first place being a nurse!!!). Even if you just try to have a couple a day in the couple of weeks after your op especially.

I think we can drive ourselves mad analyzing it and trying to prevent things. All i know is you are my inspiration, knowing that you have been through this before me. And I know there are other women who have had this situation before us! Im sure it will all be fine tomorrow babe.

Keep us updated and look after yourself xxx

Hey

My boobie didnt start seeping till 5 weeks post op....all though at evry checkout i said to the nurse and my ps something wasnt right with my lefty it didnt settle like the other and was red underneath and was always sore...i kept being told it was just fluid build up.

My scar healed very well but like i say started leaking 5 weeks post op, as soon as it started leaking they had me straight in to take it out and clean the infection out, i was put on very strong antibiotics and cleared quickly.

My op is next sat 21st july so 7 days to go...i will try and not smoke after but yep it is hard and i did not smoke for two weeks after the first op as i didnt feel quite right.

I know what you mean about over analizing i spent so much time trolling the internet for answers but my ps said the infection may well of happened during the surgery and if they had of noticed sooner then antibiotics would possibly of cleared it up.

I will keep you posted hun, let me know what your ps says about the minimum 3 month wait but your infection sounds as bad as mine was.

We just have to keep our chins up and were be complete again soon so nice to have somone to talk to who has been through the same, when it happened i felt so alone.

xxxxxx

Hi Lainey

Thanks for your reply, sorry havent been on here for a few days.

Was just wondering how your op went. Have been thinking about you and hope all well :-)

Im doing good, just being patient and doing my best to look after myself :-))) (and trying not to look in the mirror or downwards for that matter lol........not for long though eh!

Look forward to hearing how its going for you xx

Hi There

Well after recieving a phone call from my ps the night before surgery saying due to unforseen circumstances they had to postpone my op my couple days (just my luck) I am now 10 days post op the first 5 days were horrendous forgot how painful it was, feeling fine now had my bandages removed so can shower yay, but am constantly thinking about getting another infection, i have noticed some redness on my skin underneath my breast around the incision site so worried its infected again :( im hoping its just me being over sensitive cause all i can think about is getting another infection, I thought i would be overjoyed to have two boobs back but just constantly worried at mo.

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