problem post mastectomy

wndringmnd
wndringmnd Member Posts: 44
in Breast Cancer #1
good day
i had a double mastectomy 3 weeks ago but with me left breast i had to keep the drain in for 2.5 weeks. I finally had it taken out but i woke up yesterday with it red and hard. my surgeon was in the OR all day yesterday and couldn't see me. has anyone had this happen to them?
thanks
-Marilyn

Comments

  • csr771
    csr771 Member Posts: 117
    #2
    Drains
    I had problems with my drains staying in place. I came home with two in my rebuilt breast and two in my abdomen. The breat drains came out first. We called my PS and were told not to be too concerned since I still had one in place. The drains in my abdomen were a biggier problem--the one came out prematurely and the other had to get stitched so that it would not come out (really unpleasant)! I now have scar tissue at both sites. You may still be draining too much fluid. I had to be under 30cc's for the drains to be safely removed. If it continues with the redness and your doctor is unresponsive, you may need to go to the ER.
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #3
    csr771 said:

    Drains
    I had problems with my drains staying in place. I came home with two in my rebuilt breast and two in my abdomen. The breat drains came out first. We called my PS and were told not to be too concerned since I still had one in place. The drains in my abdomen were a biggier problem--the one came out prematurely and the other had to get stitched so that it would not come out (really unpleasant)! I now have scar tissue at both sites. You may still be draining too much fluid. I had to be under 30cc's for the drains to be safely removed. If it continues with the redness and your doctor is unresponsive, you may need to go to the ER.

    I had a double mastectomy
    I had a double mastectomy too and my drains stayed in for three weeks (stitched in). From day one especially on my left side, my drain holes were red and sore, I think it was because they were stitched. Upon removal of them the holes were still sensitive. My drains were in the 20's when they were taken out.

    Anyways today (6 weeks later)My drain holes are finally closed but it looks like there will be some type of scar tissue. My doctor upon removal said to put antibiotic ointment on them daily. There is still some sensitivity there but nothing like the first few weeks.

    I hope I helped somewhat,
    Lorrie
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    Seroma? See DR with redness
    Seroma? See DR with redness and hard!

    I had a single mod. rad. mast. One of my drains was in for 2 weeks when the flow level for it had dropped wnough to come out - the other was still draining higher than ideal for removal at 4 weeks post surgery but surgeon went ahead and took it out as he thought that it (the drain) was probably causing irritation that was keeping the draining going on. Well he was wrong - It wasn't healed enough yet as i wound up with a huge seroma that had to be drained several times and after over a year later it still shows on scans though is not a problem.
  • lizzie17
    lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
    #5
    I had a seroma, too
    and one of my stitches was protruding several months later!! When I went to see my surgeon, he clipped the stitch, it was long, and then drained my seroma. ( I had forgotten what it was called :)

    I was very glad that I was so numb that it didn't hurt and I just watched on the ultrasound screen.

    Personally, I would put a call in this weekend just to check in with your surgeon. That is what they are there for.

    Keep us posted.
  • wndringmnd
    wndringmnd Member Posts: 44
    #6
    lizzie17 said:

    I had a seroma, too
    and one of my stitches was protruding several months later!! When I went to see my surgeon, he clipped the stitch, it was long, and then drained my seroma. ( I had forgotten what it was called :)

    I was very glad that I was so numb that it didn't hurt and I just watched on the ultrasound screen.

    Personally, I would put a call in this weekend just to check in with your surgeon. That is what they are there for.

    Keep us posted.

    called doctor
    thanks for te encouragement. I ended up calling the doctor and he made an appointment for first thing monday morning, but he also put me on anti-biotics. i'll update on monday.
    -Marilyn
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #7
    wndringmnd said:

    called doctor
    thanks for te encouragement. I ended up calling the doctor and he made an appointment for first thing monday morning, but he also put me on anti-biotics. i'll update on monday.
    -Marilyn

    Glad you reached your
    Glad you reached your doctor. Good luck to you on Monday and let us know.



    Hugs, Jan

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