6 weeks post op feel like am not healing help!

Hi am now 6 weeks post op from my NS mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. With implants just seeing if anyone had any experience with the same issues. 

I've currently just came of a 2 weeks course of antibiotics, from having some issues with drainage and infection. My nipple that I wanted to save is now black and has formed a scab over it witch the surgeon said was normal and where hoping for fresh skin underneath once the scab has lifted but the problem seems to be the skin around it it feels tight and has broken open into quite a large open wound I still have a Pico dressing on keeping blood flow and pressure going to that area I just don't feel like am getting better if anytjjg I feel worse like if I move am going to rip the wound open more has anyone else having the same or had the same or similar experience I'd love to hear some comforting word as am worried that it's not going heal and he's going to want to remove the implant witch has taken fine to my body 

Thanks

  • Hi and thanks for your post

    I'm sorry  things are not improving and moving on at the moment, though it really is very early days in terms of reconstruction. It can take a good few months initially for some people for the breast to settle down , inflammation and infection to go and for all the breast tissue to calm down. What you see at the moment is not what you will have in 6 months.

    Hopefully you will hear from some people on the forum, but if not , you may want to look at the breast reconstruction forum on the Breast Cancer Now website, where you will hear different experiences from many people- they will all have their own stories to tell as no one will be the same  

    There is also the Someone Like Me service on the same website where you can talk to someone who has had breast reconstruction and is now a few years after the surgery.

    Give it some time , eat well with protein to help healing, look after yourself and take things slowly - remember it's very early days. If there are any ongoing problems with healing, the breast nurses can always bring in the tissue viability specialist nurses in to have a look and give any advice if needed.

    All the best and try and not worry at this moment

    Wanda

  • I had a breast reconstruction and the nipples were resisted both of my nipples turned black scabbed and the top layer came off leaving lighter nipples, but they are still intact it took ages to heal lots of dressings and antibiotics.Underneath the left nipple it became infected and opened it slowly healed taking weeks rather than days. I have been really pleased with the end result now 10 yrs ago, it sorted out my continual infections in my milk ducts 

    susie