I have had a double mastectomy with immediate reconstitution with tissue expanders two weeks ago. My left breast is doing amazing but my right breast tissue is dying. About 4cm by 3.5cm is black. This is at the bottom of the breast where the sling was created to hold the implant in place. I am not old, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink. I exercise 6 times a week and am fit. I am heathy weight and yet it still happened to me. I am in the process of having the dead skin dressed every other day hoping that the skin underneath is still alive. Has anyone else been through this? I am finding it really hard to come to terms with. It looks disgusting. I am trying to be positive that it will be ok and that I won’t have to have another operation to remove the tissue expander and dead skin and go flat. I feel sick and can’t stop crying all the time, Pam
Dear @gocat1,
I am so sorry to read what has happened and your understandable distress. We hear you,
Whilst you are waiting for a BCN nurse reply, you can find support from the Macmillan helpline today which is open 8am -8pm 0808 808 0000.
I called then several times during my treatment and always found the nurses kind, empathetic and very knowledgeable.
Sending a virtual hug and very best wishes from Tulip x
@gocat1, My heart goes out to you, what a terrible time you’re having to deal with, on a positive note I have a friend who had a very similar experience as you fortunately with a good outcome, this did take time, with lots of different dressing to find the best one, was in fact HONEY this can come in a dressing form, maybe a good one to run passed you team.
I do wish you well, with lots of love and happiness going forward.
Hugs Tili 
Thank you Tulip, I will try giving them a call
Pam x
Thank You Tili, I will mention that tomorrow when I go for my dressing changing
Pam x
@gocat1 good luck for tomorrow, we are all here for you Tili
How horrid.
Just for reassurance my father in law had a much bigger area of dead tissue on his leg following a gardening accident he didn’t tell me about for days. In his 80s with appalling circulation but now perfectly healed following regular dressings.
Sending hugs x
Hi @gocat1,
Thank you for posting. It sounds like it has been a difficult couple of weeks for you.
It can feel demoralising when things don’t go as planned, but you aren’t alone. Surgical complications can happen to anyone, even if you have done everything you can to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. We wonder if you might like to share this post on our surgery forum where you may get more replies from other women going through a similar experience.
We wonder if you have spoken to your treatment team about how you’re feeling. If not, do explain your concerns and how upset you feel, and ask what you can do to promote healing. Medical grade honey is a highly effective tool to treat complicated wounds, as @Tili suggests, if your team haven’t already considered it, you could also ask them about using a dressing impregnated with it.
If you haven’t done so already, you may wish to have a look at the reconstruction charities, Keeping Abreast and Restore. Both provide information and support to people going through the reconstruction process, including face-to-face events and a support line.
As @Tulip29 mentions, the Macmillan helpline can be a real source of support and information, or do try our helpline to speak to a breast cancer nurse. You might also like to speak to someone about how you’re feeling, our Someone Like Me service pairs you with a trained volunteer who has been through a similar experience. Or you can ask your GP, treatment team or a local cancer support centre about speaking with a counsellor for more support.
As mentioned above, do call us if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
Our number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties dial 18001 followed by our number and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes,
Tiggy
Breast Care Nurse
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