Hematoma after Reconstruction

[donnak627]

I had right breast reconstruction 6 weeks ago and I still have drainage due to a small hematoma.  In the past three days it's become more light brown rather than red, and it's a different consistency than before.  Does this mean the hematoma is working itself out and this is almost the end of the drainage?  My appointment with the doctor is still a few days away.  I'm just curious about this phase.

[lhughes]

Nope, I didn't have breast skin either.  I had a full mastectomy in Sept 06.  I didn't get to have reconstruction until May 07.  I had a nice flat area on the left.  The tram surgery took skin from my abdomen along with muscle and fat to make the new breast.  The skin over the new breast is my tummy skin (along with my stretch marks, lol).  He just made some incisions in the skin and pulled up some, stitched around it and Whala! nipple!  Worked better than I thought it could, too.

I think I had asked my doc about it, b/c I had heard that the nipple was made from the inner thigh skin.  I think he told me that was the way he used to do it, but had learned this new procedure and he thought it worked better since you only had to cut in one place.  It's in-office as opposed to surgery.  But, that's him.  I can't complain, I got two boobs now, two nipples, and some scarring, but that should fade in time.  It feels different, which is the hardest part to get used to.

[donnak627]

I still don't understand how they could take a nipple from the breast skin.  Did you have to have a breast expander put in months prior to the tram?  maybe because I had nothing there is the reason the nipple has to come from the inner thigh.  Every surgery is so different.  Thanks for the comments.

[lhughes]

Wow, yours is TOTALLY different from mine!!!!!  They made my nipple from the skin on the breast and it was in-office, not another surgery!  Strange.  He made basically a star incision and then pulled up the skin, stitched it into a bump and sewed up what was left (a little lidocaine and that was all).  They then put what is the end of a syringe over the bump to protect it.  It heals in about 4 weeks.  Then after that, they tattooed my areola as if I were getting a regular tattoo from a shop (but lots more expensive!).  Also in-office.

I guess I was lucky that I didn't have to have any further reconstruction on my frankenboobie.  He did the new one and lifted the other at the same time, took about 7 hours.  Sheesh, what a recovery.  I guess I'd do it again, but only if I absolutely HAD to.

Yep, cancer may not have been what I wanted, but I got the boob job and tummy tuck I used to dream about about having my kids.  Just goes to show, better think about what you are asking for!

:)  Hope all goes well with the remainder of your surgeries.

[donnak627]

Thanks for your comments.  After the initial drains were taken out, he put in a small something but the incision will heal on its own.  I see the doctor weekly and he cleans it out.  I have to wait for my nipple as well.  I just started back to work, so I'm not ready for another surgery right away.  Dr, Lee says when he does the nipple (and I guess you know where that's coming from), he will do a little liposuction and contouring around the right breast and lift the left breast.  So you're right, if we're going to get cancer, we may as well get something positive out of the situation.

[DrBhumikaMD]

Hi,
Do not worry. The hematoma is most probably in its healing phase. On your visit to the doctor discuss about when the drain will be removed, exercises you have to do and also things that you need to be careful about such as weight lifting, overhead stretches etc. Also ask him about the plan of follow up and at what interval do you need a clinical evaluation. Goodluck.

[lhughes]

I didn't have a hematoma when I had my tram reconstruction back in April, but I do remember that near the end of the healing the drainage changed color and consistency.  I think that means it's drying up and healing.  So, you would be correct that the hematoma is working itself out.  Do you still  have in your drains, I assume?  Make sure you clear the tubes all the way back to the skin with a pen.  I hope they showed you how to do that.  I had my mom (who is a nurse) do my drains.  She was good at getting all the goo that can get trapped up near the top to come down.

Did you get your nipple on with the surgery?  I had to wait to get my nipple until after the initial surgery.  That was pretty easy though.  Then they tattoo on the areola.  I was hoping my doc would sign it.... "Boob by Fix".  His name was Dr. Fix!

Mine's not bad for a man made boobie..but I did nickname it "Frankenboob" because of the scar (and also because all my stretch marks from my tummy got relocated to my boob).  ha ha ha!  A boob job and a tummy tuck aren't a bad return for breast cancer, am I right?

Best of luck!
Lisa