Incision from lumpectomy opened after 2 wks

[RITZGAL]

It appears from the many posts on this forum regarding incisions opening after lumpectomies that it must be pretty common.  I had a lumpectomy on March 12.  Two weeks later, it opened overnight.  In the morn it was oozing & bleeding.  I returned to the surgeon, who said it was infected.  I was given antibiotics.  My oncologist looked at it a week later and said it was no longer infected, but to return to the surgeon if it looked like it wasn't healing.  Part of the incision is slowly healing, but a new section opened and is bleeding slightly.  I keep it covered with gauze to keep it clean.  How long shoud I give this to heal?  

[japdip]

Radiation does delay healing so that's why you are being delayed for that part of your treatment. As far as the packing is concerned, if the area isn't painful at the present then I doubt that it will be terribly uncomfortable. I have had a couple of areas that required packing and I had no pain but it was not in the same area as yours. The amount of discomfort with the packing and removing it daily would also depend on the depth of the wound.  Here's hoping it will be effective and not cause you very much discomfort. Hang in there, these things do happen now and then but they can be overcome with a little extra time.   Kindest regards ....

[bluebutterfly2222]

This is a very old thread.

I would suggest you start your own new  thread. If you describe the details of your situation and ask your questions there, you will be more likely to get answers addressed specifically to you and your concerns.

Best wishes

[orangepurse]

Hello.  I am having the same problem. My wound is still open after 5 weeks.  I have to and see surgeon on Monday and likely have it packed and changed daily she said.  This *****!!!.  My radiation has been delayed by several weeks they said until healed.  My question is, does it hurt to have packing.  I have never had it before and am a little overwhelmed

[faysweetie]

A related discussion, post lumpectomy was started.

[Jaquta]

I didn't either.  Personally I didn't expect to get an infection and definitely didn't anticipate needing district nursing input.
Perhaps I took recovery for granted as I healed really well, and quickly, after having a duct out during a previous operation.

It is good if a surgeon doesn't seem concerned -I think.
Bleeding is a good sign as it denotes healthy tissue.  Too much bleeding is not though.

I've really benefited from this site and the support, advice and information too.  It's been invaluable.

I expect that section too will heal.  I think it's normal for us to become anxious, etc during our recoveries.  This is all new to us and we're learning about ourselves and our bodies during this process.

I had stitches poke through my skin too.  Just when I thought I'd healed I found this thing on my breast.  I was scared it had become infected again but it was only a mushy little stitch which I pulled out myself.  (The stitch was redundant anyhow as the surgical registrar had cut it to insert a drain for the infection).

You're welcome.  
I'm fine.  I've just finished radiation treatment and are getting over residual fatigue.

Just be vigilant about your breast (without making it worse) and discuss any concerns you have with your doctor.

J

[RITZGAL]

Thanks.  I didn't expect this to happen at all with the healing of the incision.  My surgeon did not seem concerned.  He surely sees it all the time.  It's good to be reassured.  I am so glad to have this site with all who care so much about one another.   So it's been about a month or so since the wound opened.  That part seems to be healing.  There is another section that after all this time, that decided to open the other day.  It's small and bleeding just a little.  I'll give it some more time.  Thank you again and I hope everything is ok with you now.

[Jaquta]

I had an infection post surgery and it took four weeks to heal completely.

My wound was deep and had to be packed.  Wounds heal from the bottom up.

Healing seemed to be very slow but then it just went.

Actually it was a bit longer.  My incision burst on the 24th December (following surgery on the 19th Dec) and it was fully healed by the 5th Feb.

I hope yours is OK and that everything goes well for you.
Just be patient.  Time frames are different for everyone.  If you have any concerns make sure you get them checked out.

J