How long do incisions ooze?

Good morning! I had a double mastectomy back in Sept 2019 and then started my reconstruction process in December 2021. Putting in the expanders and then finally the implants were 2 procedures. The first time with the mastectomies were 4 weeks with drains and the 2nd was about 3 weeks. Final implants were more stitches but a bit less invasive. I also have had 2 ports with incisions and stitching. I mention all this b/c I clearly remember that any later oozing w/any of these procedures should be clear with no color nor odor. Sometimes internal stitches can become unhappy or a pocket can develop (think mine was gravity base b/c of pocket from port space). I took pictures of the various areas to keep better visual track of changes. Sometimes it resolved itself but there was at least twice when I was either put on antibiotics or they looked for a stitch or warm compresses were needed. So don’t be alarmed but don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself. Sometimes those internal stitches don’t dissolve. Good luck!

Thank you so much for your kind and helpful reply!

I’m so sorry for all that you have gone through!

My incisions are only oozing just barely a drop a day, just enough to make gauze stick. It’s clear fluid from what I can tell and no odor at all. It’s extremely scant, and the only reason I know it’s oozing is simply because the gauze is stuck by the next day.

I think I’m healing well, and have been checked by both surgeons, but this very slight oozing seems to be lasting a long time.

Thank you again!

Hi back! Glad to hear that it is clear and no odor. Keep an eye on it for the next week or two. It is super important that it heals from the inside out. So this is just the last little bit somewhere inside you. Make sure you continue to drink lots of fluids and be healthy. If anything changes, get with docs. By 8 weeks get with them if it continues. Continued good luck with your journey & great that you found this forum!

Thank you so much! I have noticed the gauze is sticking to a smaller and smaller area each day and sticking less securely, so I take it as a good sign. It is mostly the incisions underneath the breasts, and mostly in the center of those incisions, that still seems to cause the gauze sticking. But it’s only been three weeks, so maybe it will take another week or two,

Need to update….

There was never any oozing at all. The reason everything was sticking was because of the glue and steri strips. The doctor clarified that for me.

I felt so reassured when I learned that!

The doctor is having me use aquaphor, massaging it in, to loosen the steristrips so they will fall off. The one on the right side has already done so.

What a relief!