Advice on awkward situation...

Would love to get some thoughts on the following...

When my surgeon came in the next day after my op, he had a look at my boobs and the nipples, said "pinking up nicely, no problems, drains can come out and then u can go home, see u at six week check."

Nurse took my drains out, and when she took the leftie out, I had IMMENSE pain much worse than the right, screaming in agony, and so began my drama! When I got home I was still bleeding, they said it would stop, it didnt. When I noticed my nipple going purple I went back in, and my surgeon came and said I needed another surgery cause of the internal bleed.

To me, it is obvious that the nurse caused some damage with the drain. No one has said that to me, but the surgeon did say it was very rare to have a bleed, and even rarer to have one after youve already gone home, (ie: after he's seen them)

I am not holding a grudge, and hopefully everything will be fine. But that nipple is much worse off than the other, and if something WAS to be permanent, or I was to need further surgery.... what would you do?! Should I be bringing it up now so that they dont later on say "well u never said anything at first"??

Secondly, the nurse (who i havent seen since she took out the drain) is the one scheduled to be doing my second set of bandage removals etc next Monday, and I feel very uncomfortable having her do it. Its upsetting me the thought of seeing her after all I went through, and I didnt like her patient manner either. Do you think I can call and ask for a dif nurse/ day? I dont want to seem petty but I dont trust her even removing stitches etc, she has done enough damage!

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Obviously I'm not intending to start a whole legal battle, and hopefully everything will heal nicely just with a longer time frame, but I'd like to hear if anyone has gone through anything similar?

I'm quite lucky that I actually really liked my nurse and she was with me both times and for my check up with my 2nd ba.
All I can suggest is maybe phone up and ask to see a different nurse or go on a different day when there will be another nurse to do your bandage change. Just explain to the receptionist / co ordinater that you will feel more comfatable having another nurse after all that's happened. I'm sure they won't mind.

X

You are the patient and the person who has paid for a service including the ba and aftercare and the hospital should in my opinion respect your wishes and act accordingly . You are absolutely within your rights to mention your concerns and request another nurse, I built up a really good rapport with my patient care coordinator or sales lady who has supported me through the whole process, do you have someone similar you could talk to or perhaps ask to speak to your hospitals head nurse. You should find them sympathetic and empathetic.
You have been through enough and shouldn't let this cause you any more discomfort mentally or physically. Call them and have your concerns documented, a person in her position should have your care as a priority and ensure she does everything on her power to put a patients mind at rest. Please don't worry yourself any more and mention it, you will feel better and less apprehensive about it all then I am sure. Take care sweetie c

I would definitely call and ask if you could see a different nurse. I don't see why it would be a problem. Also maybe while your there you could mention your worries with your nipple to her and see what she says.

Hopefully there won't be anything wrong xx

I doubt the clinic would have any problem in you wanting to see another nurse if you aren't comfortable with the one you're scheduled to see babe. Just give them a call, you shouldn't have to go into detail with re seasons why hun. Just tell them you aren't comfortable seeing that nurse and how you'd like to see another and for them to arrange that for you.

In regard to you feeling your bleed was down to the nurse, of course you should state your concerns hun. Whether it goes anywhere or not I don't know.... Bleeds do happen after surgery and it could be contributed to that babe, but if I were in your shoes and I felt as strongly as you do that the problem lay with her, I wouldn't leave it until an investigation had taken place hun. Xx

I would give them a call and change nurse or your appointment and then when you are there mention all your concerns, definitely, it will hopefully help put your mind at rest too xxx