EGSuzie
It sucks being a slow healer
Feb 10, 2010
Several bits of new to report today. Some good...some a bit unnerving.The good news first. I am finally out of my compression garment! Woot!!! It feels so fantastic to be rid of that thing. It did what it was intended to do, but I won't miss it in the least. I do still have a bit of swelling here and there, and diffuse swelling by the end of the day. But, nothing to warrant wearing that thing 24/7. Really, it was getting so loose I think it was actually causing more problems than doing anything worthwhile. I have also moved on to a sports bra at night, and a soft non-underwire bra during the day. What a relief!
This brings me to the not-so-fab news and the reason for the title of this post. First a bit of back story...
About 13 years ago I had breast reduction surgery and it went horribly on the healing front. My husband said he recalled it taking about 3 solid months for things to heal up, quit draining, and finally calm down. I seem to have blocked that period of my life out...it was brutal. During my healing I produced excessive amounts of serous fluid...enough that it continually blew out my stitches for at least the first 8 weeks. It was a mess. Eventually things began to heal inside and it slowly subsided. Now, back to present day.
I have all but healed on every incision line I have, save one itty-bitty, teeny-tiny pin-sized hole under my right breast, on the vertical incision line. And even at that, it does heal over somewhat for several days at a time. Then, a small amount of serous fluid (perhaps a teaspoon) will break through and drain. The cycle then begins again. Mind you, I have no signs of infection or swelling, every thing is as it should be...except for this minute amount of fluid that finds its escape route.
Now, I see this as a good thing...the fluid is draining itself and not building into a seroma. And, keeping in mind that I am a slow healer, the overall amount is waning...it just hasn't completely stopped. My ps is concerned that it won't ever stop and wants me to come back to Mexico for him to insert a drain...and worst case, remove the implant if that doesn't work.
Understand...I think this man is a fantastic doctor. However, I don't think he understands my personal healing "style" and the sheer lack of fluid seeping out every few days. Not to mention, I am simply unable to go back to Mexico at this time. Between lack of funds in the budget...we spent all we had on the first trip, no available child care while I'm gone...Damon's work schedule simply doesn't allow him to be home much, and no vacation time left for hubby to use to be here for the kids and still get payed...this trip just couldn't happen right now, no matter what.
I am taking great care to pay close attention to what is going on with regard to healing. I know the signs and symptoms of infection...there are none to be found in my case. If something did become worrisome...you can bet I'd be in to see my PCP before a day had passed! In any case, the first of March is the absolute soonest I could leave California. So, in the meantime, I will have to keep doing what I'm doing to assist the draining and healing. Warm compresses and binding at night seem to be doing wonders already and I haven't leaked or had any indication it wants to since yesterday mornings shower. But what trouble!
*sigh* Like I said, it sucks being a slow healer.
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About Me
Elk Grove, CA
Location
23.2
BMI
Surgery
01/30/2007
Surgery Date
Dec 10, 2006
Member Since
