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Reconstructive Surgery (Expert Forum)
Can this fluid lead to an infection that would cause me to lose the expander?
Answered by
Archibald S Miller III, MD,FACS - sternal reconstruction, augmentation, face lifts, breast reconstruction, liposuction/body contouring, abdominoplasty, Breast reduction risks, breast reduction, skin care
cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of tulsa
Tulsa - OK
Questions in the Reconstructive Surgery Forum are being answered by Dr. Archibald Sanford Miller III, MD,FACS, the Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine.
Can this fluid lead to an infection that would cause me to lose the expander?
by Alice296, Aug 07, 2009 07:30PM
Sept 08 - Biopsy concluded 2cm nodule in left side lymph nodes and it was positive w/HER 2 positive, double mastectomy, all lymph nodes removed under left arm only, cancer was only found on in the one lymph node and no where else in the breasts, radiation was given for 5 weeks on left breast and under left arm, still undergoing herceptin inj. and decadron 4mg (steriod ing) 1 every three weeks till Feb 2010. The plastic surgen from Sept 08 didn't put the correct size implants in and July 09 I had a new wonderful plastic surgen take on the task of trying to make me look normal for the first time since Sept 08 and he changed the expanders and has given me a great emotional feeling that things will get better and I look 100% better. I thank God everyday for letting me cross paths with this wonderful Doctor. I had drainage tubes in for 8 days after the surgery and then I started retaining fluid on my left side under my arm "beside my breast" and in my left breast and have had it aspirated two times now. I am not running a fever but was told cultures needed to be checked because it was murkey and I have antibiotics on standby incase i start running a fever. My main concern is that "I will do anything needed so i do not lose the expander". Can anyone shed some light on this? I have read that this fluid is no big deal and will go away in time and that you just have to keep going and getting it drained and also read where it can lead to infection and they have to put drains back in. Can this lead to an infection that would caused me to lose the expander? or it nothing to worry about and if there becomes and infection - they will just give me the antibiotic to cure it? I also cannot find where any type of excersise / movements / sleeping positions can help this matter. I think the fluid is building up because there are no lymph nodes to help absorbe the fluid.
Doctor's Answer
by Archibald S Miller III, MD,FACS, Aug 19, 2009 09:02PM
, Aug 19, 2009 09:02PMTo: Alice296
It sounds as if the area is already infected. One must remove the expander if it is. That will lead to a wait of about 6 months and then you can have the expander put back in. You will lose some time, but not the ability to be reconstructed.
arch s miller ms md facs
arch s miller ms md facs
