Infection- so sad and angry

Charlii wrote:Can I ask who exactly told you re moisturising? The surgeon or a nurse? If it was a nurse, did you catch their name, or would you remember their face? If so I would definitely raise this specifically, I've never heard of any clinic advising that from 2wk, some places wont even let you shower at 2wk without inspection and approval. I find it incredibly irresponsible that they have told you that, especially for a private clinic like the spire.

I was thinking exactly the same. This nurse needs to be stopped so she doesn't tell more patients to do the same thing.
I hope you heal quickly cupcake 

It was a nurse, and yes I know her name. My husband has been in with me taking notes so I haven't forgotten or misheard anything. I even asked whether I should get a particular moisturiser and she said no- any will do. 

To be honest, i'm just petrified that this doesn't get resolved by anti biotics, and that if I have to have the implant pocket flushed or something. I'm also scared that I'll have to pay for further treatment if these anti biotics don't work. I've wanted this for 7 years, saved HARD for 18 months and I just want my dream boobs. 

I just want them to be healthy right now :(

Don't worry cupcake, a short course of antiBs should clear it right up. All that's happened is that the moisturiser has left it damp and a little nasty has got in. Stick with the meds and salt water and it should clean right up. 

I'm glad to hear your hubs has been taking extensive notes, that's brilliant. Definitely raise this and the nurse by name when you see your surgeon. And stick with the notes, or record them. Get it in writing that if this does result in anything further, it will be covered by them in full for their irresponsible advice.

You won't have to pay for anything Cupcake 

You've done the right thing in writing everything down and your surgein is obviously also concerned in wanting to see you first thing as well. The clinic should be able to provide you any gauze you might need to help recovery (I used inodine gauze) this not only helps the wound heal from the inside out but it also won't stick to the wound either. Don't use anything though without your surgeons permission though. 

Please let us know how things went with your surgein cupcake and if you are to apply any dressings, in between changes, open the bedroom window, lay on your back with the wound exposed and let the fresh air blow over it. There's nothing better to help that wound dry out and this is what it need cupcake, to dry out. Just a half hour day and night will do and it really does help make all the difference. Of course if your surgein has placed a dressing and asked you to return in a umber of days, don't remove any dressings that's to be changed by them. 

I hope it helps to know that's it VERY rare for infection to result in explant. I had an infection myself along with MANY other women here and in time the hole will close over and heal, but it will take some time sweetheart and now your surgein is involved im sure they'll watch over this for you and I don't think they'll be very happy in any nurse at the clinic suggesting you add moisture to a new wound! 

Big hugs cupcake. We're all here for you loveky. 

Hope everything goes well at surgeon appointment this a.m & he sets a plan in place to get your boob on the mend!    XXX

Hi girls.

Thanks so much for all your well wishes and advice. To add to my stress this morning I got stuck in the most horrendous traffic and missed my appointment. Mr Bennett was lovely as always and said to just come when I could and he would fit me in today.

I saw him at about 9.15am and he was very sympathetic and said don't worry about being late. He took a look at my boobs and said what I have is very common, it's an abscess which has formed around a stitch that hasn't quite dissolved. He said a lot of women get them and go on to heal beautifully. I said that my right was more tight which he said was normal as well, given that I'm right handed and it will catch up with the left.

He said that I am okay to moisturise scars as the infection is very superficial and is in no way internal. He was very happy with how I'm looking and has kept my appointment for next week, just in case. If all is well after my anti biotics I will see him in one month for a check up. He said I don't have to wear my awful surgery bra anymore but I love it. It's ugly but soooo comfy.

I asked what was going on with Spire and he said he honestly doesn't know what that nurse I spoke to was on And that what she told me was absurd! He is making a complaint on my behalf and said that although he knows when the matron hears about it she will go absolutely nuts, he is going straight to the top. He was really angry about my treatment and confirmed that my aftercare is for a year and he will treat me beyond that at spire for aftercare, if required. I got the impression that what he says goes as far as Spire are concerned.

Anyway.. All is good. My mind has been put at ease and Mr Bennett was lovely as always. I made sure I let him know how fab his secretary has been as well and he said he'll have to give her a raise!

Thanks so much for all your advice. I will keep you updated on my hole (in my boob, lol!). Today it's drier and no weeping so hopefully PROGRESS! X

Happy you have had a bit of positive news hun you seem happier in yourself xxx

That's great to hear, and I hope its put your mind at ease. I would still err on the side of caution with the moisturising though. To be honest, its not really necessary. I used tamanu balm at around 4-6wk (whenever my discharge notes said) just to get rid of the dry skin, but massaging my scars made me feel really queasy, so I didn't bother. You can barely see them now.

And I massaged my scars religiously from 6 weeks, and 7 month post they are still v red so I agree it doesn't make a lot of difference! I saw a different plastic surgeon for a lump removal and he said don't bother! I didn't and that scar is barely visible! Glad it's all being sorted for you though, I'm sure it won't take long to clear up.

So glad you got seen by your surgeon cupcake and it looks like it has been caught nice and early and you will be fine hun. My surgeon and hospital told me not to touch the scars until after six week check and then he gave me the go ahead to moisturise and mine have healed brilliantly. I would leave them alone for a couple of weeks. The scars will fade on their own with or without moisturising xxx

I'm another in total agreement with all of the above babe. 

Leave the incisions alone to heal. The infection site in particular should remain as dry as possible. Are you able to shower? If you are then after allowing the water to run over your incisions (don't rub them) dab the wounds dry using a separate towel for each incision - you don't want to cross contaminate and spread the infection to the other side also. After dabbing dry, then use the cool setting of your hairdryer and blow the wound gently dry. You can't do enough to ensure there's no dampness at all which is only a breeding ground for bacteria 

Definitely don't use any moisturiser on your incision site at all. It needs to dry up and in adding moisture, you're simply creating an environment for the bacteria to continue to breed. 

I didn't touch my first incisions, they were fine and healing OK, so left them well alone and they dried to almost an invisible small line. 

I did have problems with my incisions after my second surgery which is why I know so much about infections (been there and got the T-shirt and all that)I had an allergy to the type of stitches used in surgery and it left gaping holes in my incisions. 

The fresh air i discussed previously really is one of the best healers I used. So if you want to take in any advise here - listen to the ladies babe. You're still too early to be moisturising, even those advised they can from 4 weeks old HAVE to have incisions that are fully healed with no holes whatsoever in the skin. 

Although your surgeon has said you no longer need to wear sportsbras either now, I would very much advise you not wear wires at all as well until that infection has healed. I really can't put enough emphasis on that. 

Hoping that infection heals up very soon babe. And you can then fully enjoy your new boobs. Xx

Oh sweetheart I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles, but relieved for you that your now on anti b's and getting sorted 
Hugs chicky xx

Thanks girlies.

Oh my god, No, Cookie. No wires round here. He just meant I can wear other sports bras. I wouldnt dare put a wire near these incisions.

Yes, my surgeon has said to shower but I'll follow your advice about thoroughly drying and airing them as well as keeping them dry with no product. Gah.. I'm just so relieved. Thank you all!!!

Hi cupcake. I'm pleased it went as well as it could have at your appointment. Try not to stress out,  do you feel more at ease now you have seen your surgeon? Xxx

Yes I do feel so much better having seen my surgeon. I completely trust him and have said from day 1, I absolutely love him to bits and would recommend him to anyone and everyone so I'm chuffed he thinks all looks normal despite the abscess.

I am on anti biotics (flucloxacillin) which is giving me terrible stomach cramps but the nurse I saw did warn me that I may get an upset tummy. Lesser of two evils as far as I'm concerned! Do you know what? I bloody love this forum. Like I say I will keep you all updated in the next few days but once again. Thank you all for your advice and putting my mind at ease. X

Haha I love this forum too. Some girls don't know what they are missing. Xxxx

Everyone here celebrates with you during the good times and are always on hand when you're down or something goes wrong. Congrats to all of us here for being fabulous lol!

Yes this forum is here for the highs and lows . Having a BA is not always plain sailing. My first 2 weeks was awful but well worth tbe awful. It's a big thing to go through. But we all share one thing. Fab boobies xx

That's fab news! Your surgeon sounds lovely, glad he has put your mind at ease & is not overly concerned with your healing. Anti b's will do the trick & boob will be back healing just like the other one in no time. XXX

Thank goodness for that Cupcake. Hearing 4 weeks aftercare must have been a shock to the system - so must having to go to a walk in centre when you ad just paid all of that money for your surgery. I am really glad that you told your surgeon and that this is being escalated at the hospital.

I cannot believe the nurse told you to rub any old cream into a still exposed wound!

I also have a suture abscess on the scar on my foot and have been given the same antibiotics - again the hospital said that its really common and just a mild reaction to the stitches they use.
Hope it clears up soon and you can enjoy your new boobs and glad that aftercare issue has been sorted xx

Hi ladies

I just wanted to let you all know that my hole has now scabbed over and looks like a giant booger (sorry I know it's gross). It's almost like the scab is just absorbing in to my boob, rather than scabbing and falling off which is what I had expected. Either way Im just happy it's healing. Yippee! Only a few more days of these horrible anti biotics, thank goodness.

That's fab news cupcake. Really happy for you.