Crater in breast that won't heal!

Hi everyone, I am panicking....

I was 6 weeks post op after an anchor lift with implants yesterday and all is fine with my left breast, but the right is really worrying me now. There is an open wound, where the suturing all comes together in the inframammary crease. You know where the vertical scar down from the nipple and the horizontal one under the breast meet?

Well everywhere has closed up apart from that spot. And it has gotten worse, oozing greenish grey gunge and still even bleeding if I try to clean it. There is no pain, it actually feels rather numb which I am worrying about even more.

What happened was there was a stupid 'dissolvable' stitch stuck in this wound for like 4 weeks preventing it from plateletting over and scabbing. It was sticking right out and in the end I just tugged it reeeeeally lightly and it just slipped out. It started to heal, and I thought it was fine until about 3 days later I took off my dressing and it was just soaked through with puss. Now a little bit of a dipped looking crater the size almost of a 5p has formed and its just refusing to even dry. For this reason I am STILL not fully showering because I can't with this gaping hole in my boob!

I am 6 weeks post op for God's sake! I called USELESS Mybreast a week ago to try and arrange my 6 week post op check up- which I am entitled to- and they simply told me that I would have to wait til the end of the month and no one could see me because my surgeon has basically decided not to bother coming to his London slots other than once a month now. And my PC has left so I can't even ask her anything. Talk about a 'superior patient journey'. Do you think I should complain or demand to see another surgeon? Do I have the right or not? They didn't even give me a check up with the nurse, I've only seen my bloody surgeon once since the op, for 10 minutes.

What do I do? My boyfriend has told me that I have to go to A and E today which is what I am going to do. I am so scared of getting an infection or really bad scarring. My scars otherwise have healed fantastically so I find that a bit strange how this one area will not heal. I only had 240CC implants and I'm only like a large C/small D so its not like the implants are putting too much strain on the wounds.

I haven't any photos up at all because I've had no computer for ages, which is why I have been away for so long. Sorry or I would show you. I will try to get some pics up tomorrow

X X X

PS) I was really ecstatic with my initial results after say 2 weeks- they were full and perky and lovely, but after about 4 weeks I feel they are dropping a bit TOO low already!! I don't know if I am being paranoid and over critical, ungrateful or all three. Please girls give me some BRUTALLY HONEST advice on what you think of the result when I get my pics up. Personally I think they are sagging already at just 6 weeks PO.

Will post tomorrow, thank you.

X X X

Sorry to hear things aren't going too well. Sounds like you have an infection, so I would demand an appointment with your surgeon, he does a few different hospitals, so you could always see him at one of the others. I wouldn't take no for an answer. You've paid for aftercare so make sure you get it. It is there tag after all that you can see your surgeon as often as you like...

I wouldn't worry too much about thinking that they are sagging, they are just dropping thats all. You've gotten used to them being high so now they are lower, you're worrying that they are going to be saggy again, because you've experienced saggy. Take a look at your pre op photo's and that should make you feel better.

How is the new job going anyway?

Really sorry and shocked to read this babe Call the clinic back and demand to speak with the clinic manager hun, from what you've said here you do need to be seen.

If you are still refused to be seen then I've just checked the MYbreast site and you can call to complain on 0870 780 2002 or email them at: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].


MyBreast T&Cs

.x. this is terrible, they have taken your money and so they should be providing all aftercare as and when you need it not "at the end of the month" when it is more suitable for them. I would definitley go to A and E to at least have someone look at it, but really you need your surgeon or another surgeon at the company to see you and I would keep ringing, emailing, even turn up in person if you feel the need, until they agree to give you an appointment. I'm guessing if you turned up at their company premises and there is a wating room full of potential clients waiting for their initial consults, they will not want someone loudly complaining at the front desk about lack of aftercare and they may quickly try and get you to shut up by either bookign you an appointment or giving you one there and then with someone???..maybe its worth a try? xxxxxxxxxxxx .x.

If you can't see your surgeon Mybreast can get you in with another of their surgeons as another girl on here did that when her surgeon was on holiday.... ring them and demand that they get you in to see someone, it's not acceptable to make you wait if it is possible you may have an infection. You have a right to the aftercare that they promise. If for any reason they do not see you today I would go to your nearest walk-in-centre for treatment as soon as you can xxx

Hi hun i had problems with Transform when they wanted to book me in for my 10-14 day check. They told me that they could only see me at day 9 ( not in the time frame they gave me in writing) & at 7pm but i coulndnt make this as it was my OH das 60th b-day bash that had been planned for over 6 months. I exsplained this to them & they were damn right rude saying that i had to miss the party if i wanted to get my stitches trimmed!
My OH got on the phone & told them it was utterly discracefull that they would talk to me like that & that we paid good money to go private & offering one appoint at one time not in there writen time frame was not what we 'Paid' for & asked them to put it in writing that they were not willing to offer me a appiontment in there recommended time frame so he could pass it on to his legal team!

Well they called back within 5 mins & told me they would arrange for the nurse to come to the clinic on day 10 for me to get check out!

So if all else fails just say you will tke legal action as they are not sticking to what you paid for & they will start to jump through hoops for you! Like they should do

You are intitalled to ya 6 week check at 6 weeks if they say they cant give you that servise then they are breaking the servise that you paid for.

Hope you get this matter sorted as a infection is not good hun!

Sta x

Sorry to hear this hun .

Sounds like an infection, if you've taken yourself off to a&e already then either do it now or get yourself an emergency gp appointment, either way get seen by a doctor and get antibiotics TODAY!!

As for mybreast , get on the phone to them and demand to be seen, if they still refuse to be seen by your ps then demand another one.

xx

Not right hun, there's no time to wait around when it seems as though you have an infection - you need to get antibiotics asap. Get yourself to the docs or A & E as soon as poss then demand to see somebody at your clinic as soon as they can arrange. I can't believe they couldn't sense the urgency with what has happened with your boob - infections can get serious if not dealt with promptly so that's very bad form on their part. I hope you get it sorted hun xx

Soo sorry to hear this!! Like the other girls have said DEMAND to be seen a.s.a.p., you have paid for aftercare and it sounds like it is needed now, not to fit with their timetable

If infection is present it will need attention before it leads to further concerns. Thinking of you, let us know how you get on xx

This does need to be checked out sooner rather than later, the trouble with wounds is that if their not healing and getting worse there's every chance there is an infection and this (worse case scenario) can lead to implant infection and loss of implant which is what happened to me and another lady so is not something they should be dismissing lightly at all!!

I'm hoping by now you have been seen and on the road to recovery.

Let us know how you are, thinking of you x x x

Hello Girls,

Thank you so much for all your replies and advice..

So I went to A and E yesterday waited around for a couple of hours and then saw a doctor. Luckily the wound is not infected.....yet! They basically just took a look at it and covered over it with a waterproof dressing and told me not to get it wet.

They said that it is healthy flesh and that it will heal in time, although they were disgusted at the fact that the surgeon who performed my op was out of reach when I had been told that I would have the same people dealing with me throughout the patient journey at MB.

They said that the end of the month won't do and that I will have to see someone from the company who has access to my medical files. Although, there isn't anything anyone can really do, it will just take time. I was told that by the look of the wound there will be a pretty ugly scar left because of the complication. I am a bit annoyed about that. Even though I was expecting the scars to be worse all round than what they actually are, its annoying that one boob will look pretty smooth and the other will be plagued with a horrible dark mass of scar at the crease.

Now that I have been to A and E and seen a doctor I duno whether it would even be worth demanding to see another surgeon before the end of the month or if I should just wait so at least I get to see my own surgeon?

What do you think?

X X X

I would still demand to be seen by a surgeon at MB after all as the docs at A&E said they have your notes and you need this problem documented if there is a complication wth your scar in the future.
Good luck chick.

xx

Good news it's not infected. If A&E have recommended you go before the end of the month I would call Mybreast tomorrow to book you to see another PS as a priority if yours isn't available. Can the wound not be stitched again I wonder to help it close better?? I guess your surgeon will be able to answer that, and also tell you what they can do to rectify any unsatisfactory scarring that you might be left with. Good luck xx

Ahhh so sorry to hear about this......but glad A& E have put your mind at rest but it really shouldn't of been them you had to turn to.....

U must go to Mybreast ASAP. Was it in London, St John's Wood, where you had your BJ performed????

After my op my PS was on hols for two weeks but my care was left in his colleague's care in case I came across any complication, I didnt, but was reassured by the fact I had a PS on hand for any questions and was happy with this arrangement....this should be the case for you!

I am sure if the managers of Mybreast knew of your complication/concerns they would be acting on it as their aftercare policy is excellent.......so please speak to someone in management tomorrow.........

There are several PS from Mybreast who work out of the St John and Elizabeth who must be able to see you as a priority urgent case tomorrow or Friday.....Tez was my PC have u tried her????

Good luck and let us know how u get on......if scarring is worse as a result of this perhaps you can be restitched to minimalise further worsening scarring...........

xxxxxxxx

Mr Hamilton who I had, is at St John & Elizabeths in St Johns Wood. He does consults on a Friday so maybe if you wanted to go there they could possibly get you in for this Friday - worth a try.xxx

Hey lovely,

Sorry to hear of all your problems. First off, you did the right thing in going to A&E, like SS said it's not worth messing about when it comes to open wounds.

As for seeing MyBreast, you need this documented on your notes and you need to see your surgeon if possible. Like has been said you must really be firm with them. Yes they are a big company, however they have a reputation to uphold and aftercare they you've paid for. Even if you see the surgeon and he says that all is well you need to ensure they make a note of this on your file in case something else happens in the future.

As for the wound, sorry to hear it's not healing up as you expected, once you've been given the all clear try rubbing in Bio OIl or Vit E cream for the scarring, Nads also recommended scar plasted too, though I can't remember their name.

Try not to worry too much hunny. But just make sure you're seen as soon as possible.
xxx

You do need to be seen sooner rather than later, to determine for sure if there is no infection a swab test should be done, i'm surprised they could tell you there was no infection present just by looking at it, this happened to me by my not so good first surgeon and my GP took a swab test and i was found to have had 2 infections, i went on to lose my implant 3 weeks later so MB are being very irresponsible about this by leaving it so long.
You've waited long enough like this so if you can get seen to before the end of the Month then i'd go for it, take care hun x x

just read this and am so shocked and sorry for you, glad its not infected, and you went to a n e, please get back on the blower to mb.

hope you are ok

xxx

Thanks! :-)

OK well I took your advice and just got off the phone to them. They have said I can go to The Royal Free tonight to see a nurse. I think there's a PS surgeon there too but I duno which one.

I had my op in Highgate so it won't be the same place or surgeon. Slightly breaking the whole 'Unique Patient Journey' bull already but never mind at least my boob will hopefully not fall of in the interim.

SS Omg sorry to hear that. Did it work out all OK in the end? Hope so.

I wanted to see Mr Hamilton but he's on annual leave. Will let you know how it all goes,

thanks again ladies!

X X X

Hope the appointment goes well tonight sweetheart.. be sure to have it put into your notes that you had no alternative but to seek treatment from the NHS because you were 'refused' to be seen my 'MyBreast'... I know it all sounds silly having to be clear about everything in your notes babe, but what is written in there is the clinics referral and your own 'IF' you later need to complain...

xxx

Good luck for tonight lovely. xxx

hi really looking forard to see what the surgeon says iv got the exact thing about 20p in size on the side of my nipple the surgeon is going to resew it in 1 weeks time i hope the scars are not to bad or my nipple is deformed as some of the outside of nipple is curling back on itself yuk hope all goes well tonight x

How did everything go at the hospital CC?? xxx

hia cherry just wondering waht your ps said x

Hello girls!

Sorry for the delayed response but how stupid am I I didn't even notice the second page of this topic so didn't read anymore of your posts!

Went to A and E and they told me to see my surgeon straightaway. Couldn't manage straightaway so 3 days later went to a hospital that wasn't my original hospital where I had my op coz they wouldn't give me an appointment with my surgeon.

Was examined first by the nurse and then saw another surgeon who quizzed me about all sorts. I have to admit I did feel like he was trying to pin the blame on me, coming up with all sorts of questions about have you 'overdone' it? and saying 'It could be the smoking'. Which actually annoyed me a lot because I went through hell quitting for the op so it bloody isn't the reason for the hole. AND my left boob was healed immaculately, not a complication in sight, so much so that when I saw my surgeon at just 2 weeks PO he was amazed at the rate at which the wounds had healed and the swelling gone down. The right side's stitching was a bit more raw still, and this is what made my surgeon put another dressing over that side and he just said to keep it there a few days.

What had happened then is that I removed it after some days- as instructed to do, and started to shower normally- as I was also advised to do. And the water made the stitching a bit soggy.

And then basically there was this itchy, blackhead looking thing poking through the skin at the T section where the stitching meets under the breast crease and then at 2 weeks PO and 4 days it pierced through the skin from the inside out. And it was sticking out. I realised it was a stitch that basically hadn't dissolved, the knot was quite large so it had protruded through the tender wound and thus prevented the hole from closing properly. My OH pulled it gently and it literally just slid out.

I thought that this would enable it to granulate and kept it dry and stopped having showers and went bac to Godawful washing at the basin. I called Mybreast and told them the situation, told them I needed to see someone but instead they asked my surgeon what I should do and I was advised to put another plaster back over it for a few more days. I follwed all this but then when I took it off, a hole the size of a 5p had formed. By 6 weeks this was still there.

Thats when that whole thing about my not getting an appointment started up and I ended up going to A and E in the first place.

The outcome?

Well the nurse straightaway without even looking at my file or talking to anyone said "I think its basically where a knot on a stitch has come through the skin, caused a minor absess underneath and basically its made a small wound"

So I was glad it wasn't anything serious and just confirmed what I thought. She said that it was not infected because there is still an amount of blood flow and healthy tissue at the wound. And basically that I would have to keep it covered and shower every other day or so and clean the area with water and then redress it.

It will basically be this way til it finally closes. It is closing, but from the inside out, so it is taking forever.

If anyone has a similar experience make sure you tell the nurses and surgeons exactly what has happened. Keep a diary of events so that you can explain events and so the blame cannot be passed onto you.

In my case it is too late to restitch, the wound will have to close on its own and in time.

God this is one LONNNNNNNNNG process! :-(

Hope that might help other girls if they find themselves in this situation. :-)

X X X X