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Need some reassurance post surgery

Caz1976
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I had a total duct excision 1 week ago on the 7th June. So far so good. Until today. I've noticed I now have some educate on the dressings. I still have the original dressings in place from the op. (Was told to leave them on until I go back for results on the 24th, so it will.be 17days with original.dessings on by then!) I have stitches, glue, steri strips then all covered with a clear plastic second skin type of cover.

This morning I woke up with some diacomfort and noticed the steritrips are now yucky looking directly where my nipple is touching them. They're wet, white, dried blood. Dont know if its just becuase I sweated heavily last night due to weather, and its "washed off" anything that was already on the area, or if I have an infection?.or if its normal.to be expected at 7days post op? 

I go back to work tomorrow (the 15th) so its going to be hard to speak the breast unit and the nurse at GP cant see me until next week! 

Am i panicking over nothing and it's normal to start getting discharge/drainage/exudate/ 7 days post op?

 

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    If it's painful or you have a discharge you need to see or speak to a doctor, probably before you return to work you could need antibiotics or to return to the clinic for assessment of the wound. 17 days is a long while to leave a dressing in situ. Maybe the nurse at your gps could check the wound for you 

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    Hi there ...

    As above it seems a really long time to leave dressing on ... mine leaked and went to nurse at the G Ps and she drained quite a lot from it ... it did need doing a couple more times ... so please don't leave it .. get it seen and ask about why it's so long between changing dressing ... 

    I got strait in my G P s after saying mine was leaking ... work must come second ... fingers crossed ... Chrissie...

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    I'm now on super strong dose of antibiotics.

    I spoke to the breast care nurse who said my dressings need to stay on until my results appointment on the 24th regardless of how yucky they become. Only if they peel off and no longer protect the wound do I remove and change them. Eww

    i ended up having a phone consult with the GP, whilst I was with a patient ,self (why do they always phone when it's inappropriate?) 

    explains why I'm still in pain, can't even gently touch/wipe my breast without pain. 
    roll on the 24th! 

  • Offline in reply to Caz1976

    Hi 

    I hope the antibiotics have kicked in? That does seem like a really long time to keep it covered. I had a lumpectomy last week. Quite a big incision.  Had stitches, steri-strips and then a waterproof dressing. 
     

    The would was leaking overnight (yuk) so I went to the drop-in clinic the following day. The nurse took it all off and replaced with new. She also put a more breathable dressing on so air could get to it. 
     

    The outer dressing came off on Friday. New steri's then too. And new steri's on Monday. They can now technically come off but seeing as their new and clean etc I'm gonna leave them till end of week. 
     

    Have you had the wound looked at? You still have a long time to wait. I'd be worried that there was a nasty infection going on under there! A friend of mine developed a really nasty infection and had to have more surgery to remove the damage it caused. Please please don't leave it if you're not happy. Get yourself to your breast care nurse etc. 
     

    Thinking of you. Love Sarah xxx 

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    Hi there ...

    Can't believe they havnt sorted it ... like last reply, I'd be really worried of infection ... I was told if mine went hot to touch to get to A and E ... I'm tagging in the #askthenurses or #moderators to see what they think ..  but i personally wouldnt be happy with that .. 

    On a happier point about 6 months later, I have a nice little scar now ... if you know what I mean by nice .. let us know how you go ... you could also call McMillan or our nurses ... the number is on the front page .. it good to actually talk to someone ... good luck ... Chrissie x

  • Offline in reply to Chriss

    It was red and hot a few days ago, but I put it down to healing and being hot weather. That dissapeared (almost) and then the exudate came out.

    Doesnt help that my period is due too so my breasts are also dealing with that! 

    Going to call the breast care nurses today and ask if they will change the dressing as I'm too scared to do it myself! (Images of pools of pus leaking out lol) 

    Thank you for your help 

    Xx

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