Time to do something for me! I've dealt with back/neck pain for too long. Been to chiropractors, pain management, been on pain meds for about 6mo now. Met with Dr McKane and was told I was a perfect candidate. Insurance approved in 4 days! Had my surgery on Sept 9th (yesterday). Woke up and my breasts felt like they were on fire!! Nurses at Medical City was awesome in getting the pain levels down. Today, I feel air bubble on the top part of my breasts and hear sloshing of fluid. Read it's normal...I have discomfort time to time, but I just take my pain pills and I'm ok. Nothing unbearable. I have been trickling blood under my left breast but not to bad. I will be able to take a shower tomorrow and will post pics! So far, no regrets! Updated on 11 Sep 2016: Just got out of the shower...feels good to be clean. Still oozing under breasts a little. I can still hear fluid and air pockets. My stomach is really bloated too. Everything is really tight feeling...overall, I think the girls will turn out great! PS: don't forget to take a laxative... All the pain meds will plug you up! ???? Updated on 12 Sep 2016: Woke up this morning feeling pretty good! Don't feel as tight, the soreness and pain is a 1. Still lots of sloshing going on in there...I see my Doc this Thursday, he can determine what, if anything, needs to be done. Overall....having to resist cleaning this house! That's never happened! Hahaha More pics to come! Updated on 13 Sep 2016: Didn't sleep well last night. I was having twinges of pain..I'm also stressed about what he's going to say today about the fluids I'm hearing. If I can stay tilted up when I sleep, the fluid and pressure doesn't build as much. I start out sitting up and then I end up lying flat. I need to get this corrected soon because I'm back to work Thursday! Will update what the Dr says and pics today...stay tuned Updated on 13 Sep 2016: Just left the Dr's office. He's very pleased with how they look. I do have a fluid filled blister under my left breast. He's going to watch that closely but doesn't foresee anything major. He does want a sono to check on how much fluid is in there. May have to aspirate if it's too much. Nervous about that. Said he thought I would settle into a full C or small D. Very happy about that. Wants me to go without bras while home so the blister can heal. Nipples and breast are alive and well! Sono probably tomorrow...will update after. Updated on 14 Sep 2016: Didn't sleep well again last night. Stressed about the blister. I tend to be a worry wart. Still haven't heard about the sono. I'm supposed to return to work tomorrow. The blister has gotten bigger and now I see a small one coming up on the other breast. My nipples I can feel buy anything below my nipples, is completely numb. Anybody else experiencing this? Doc called in more pain meds since I'm feeling a lot of discomfort and sharp pains. Super scared but praying life to my breasts...will update tomorrow! Updated on 17 Sep 2016: Yesterday was my 1st day back to work. Even though I work a desk job, man it was tiring. Gravity was not my friend. I felt like something was pulling these girls down hard. I was very sore by the time I got home. I also had to change my dressings while I was at work. I'm assuming because I was up and moving more than before. That actually was good because I hear less sloshing in my breasts now. Everything looks great, still kind of itchy. Blister still draining but looks good! Starting to get feeling back except under breasts around to outside. Top, nipples, and insides I can feel...Will add photos later! Updated on 19 Sep 2016: First spaghetti strap tank top I've ever been able to wear!!! WOOHOO!!! Updated on 19 Sep 2016: Spaghetti straps!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE
McKane billed my insurance for almost $300 for his consultation fee! When the insurance did not pay him all of it, he persists on being petty with his billing to get his stupid consultation fee! He is no good! He charges about $13,000 for the same procedure others charge about $5,000 for. Money is his interest - not you! Even if he cannot do your surgery, he is obsessed with billing you with "Plastic Surgery" on his envelope even after your death!
I am sorry you are having healing issues. Unfortunately, this can happen due to the tension of the abdominal tissues closing after the DIEP, as well as other factors such as smoking, diabetes, etc. Even without the wound it is still too early at 6 weeks to really know how your abdomen is going to look. It takes several months or more after the final healing to know how the abdomen will look. Most of the healing after any surgery takes place in the first weeks after surgery, but there is still more healing going on slowly over the months after surgery. It is difficult to wait as the process is slow, and particularly with wound healing issues, but you will need to give it more time before you are fully healed. At any time you have concerns about the wound or the possible swelling you should speak with your surgeon about it.
