Mastectomy Surgical Dehiscence

I am so sorry. That fluid build-up is so painful. Hoping it all drains and you feel better soon.

@bcwarrior I love your screen name. Breast Cancer Warrior. Because that's you and as they say "you've been through the wars".

When do you next see your surgeon? I have a suggestion for a service that I wonder is available for you. Do you have a Wound Care Center in your community? One of my very good friends is a wound care RN and from what you describe this is something that they would be most helpful with. Could you ask your surgeon for a referral? Here is a description of what Wound Care Centers:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000739.htm

Thank you Helen,

I was surprised to find the screen name available. We are All Warriors. I used to refer to myself as a survivor until the nurses on the surgical oncology floor started calling me a BC warrior. It definitely made me smile. I like to think it was because they knew I was fighting for my life as I was bleeding out and my big tough husband was standing in the doorway crying. He truly thought I would not live since I was so grey. He said they stuck me 16 times in an attempt at a 2nd IV line. If I were inclined to get a tattoo it would not be nipples it would be somewhere visible that said "Nurses Rule."

I tried your link but could not find any locations sadly. I have a bit of medical training and knew I needed wound care. I searched the web for any facility or Dr. even remotely close to no avail. I'm seeing my family Dr. in a few weeks until then I do wound care twice daily. Thanks again, Lynne

So, it's been 7 weeks of daily wound care. As I was taking off the morning bandage thick greenish yellow gunk leaked out. The surgeon ordered some sort of vacuum-assisted closure device. Does anyone know anything or have any experience with this device? Thanks, Lynne

If you mean the Prevena device, my surgeon used it on my double mastectomy incisions 6 weeks ago. I had radiation in 2010. It did work for me, I hope that you will get help from it.

Thank you latebloomer for your reply. I have no clue what type of vacuum I will receive. The surgeon said he had to order it. That it's not stocked in the office (4 breast surgeons' office & 0 vacuums). Next week it will be 4 months since my bilateral mastectomy. For the first 1.75 months, I had to go weekly to have needle drainage with the highest amount at a single time being over a liter of fluid build-up. I had my surgically placed drains on each side for 4 weeks. In between Dr. visits while hand washing with a small washcloth two inches of the surgically glued incision opened up and at least 8 oz of fluid went in every direction. Let's just say I did not get much sleep that night, So, here I am 7 weeks later still changing bandages and clothes twice daily. P.S. I finally figured out I can use Kotex etc. The tape allergy sores are gone Almost there : ) : ) : ) Too Blessed to be stressed : ) : )

I am recovering from a mastectomy on my left breast that was performed on Sept 1, 2022. I had 2 drains with 2 collection bottles. After 1 week, 1 drain was removed. A week after that the 2nd drain was removed. I have swelling under my arm pit still 2.5 wks post surgery. Surgeon told me it takes about 1 month for the swelling to go down. I hope she is right. Didn't you have drains post surgery? Also, I am to start chemo..meet w oncologist this week, and not sure if I should wait til swelling goes down for me to start chemo.

Hi ladytnac,

Every person has a different story to share. I had a double mastectomy 05/2022—my surgically placed drains on each side for 4 weeks. This is what the left side looked like after 2-3 weeks. It is 4 months and I still have swelling but not so much in my armpits. I have a good range of motion because I stretch. PLEASE consult with a Hematologist/Oncologist asap they are both specialties combined. Did you have the tumor tested by Oncotype DX??? This tumor test helps determine what chemo the Hematologist/Oncologist determines for the best results for your cancer. If I can help in any way please contact me. Sending Healing Prayers, Lynne

@ladytnac, how did the meeting go with the oncologist? Do you have a chemo treatment and start date in place now?

Its been 3.5 weeks since my surgery ..simple mastectomy left breast only. Some swelling under arm pit. Doc says could take a few months now to completely go away. Sentinel lymph nodes clean. Tumor approx. 1 .7 cm. Triple negative aprocrine breast cancer. First of 4 cycles of Taxotere Cytoxan (TC) to begin beginning October. No onc score cause triple negative. Chose not to do 16 cycle AC Taxol because my nodes are clean and I'm stage 1. I hope I don't regret decision.