Hi all, I had Rt Mx and axillary node clearance on 21st Mar as day surgery. Had op at 9am and I was at home at 4 with a drain which was to be removed after 7 days and the dressing to be removed within 7-10 days. I went back on the Mon to have the drain bottle replaced as it had filled up. Had drain removed on Thursday 27th and the dressing removed by the nurse at my GP’s who said the wound looked fine.
I have been feeling down since the dressing has been removed and haven’t able to look at myself in the mirror to see the what it looks like fully. At the moment it feels soft at the front and under my arm, however it’s painful under my arm, I have been wearing my husbands shirts as they are loose and cool.
I’m not wearing a bra either worried that ii might open my wound. I’m doing my exercises
My questions are
1)how can I pick up courage to look at myself
2) is it ok to wear bra this soon after surgery
3)is it ok to get the wound wet as I’m covering it which doesn’t allow me to have proper shower/bath
4) 830mls of seroma was collected whilst I had my drain on, I am not sure the softness around the wound is
Seroma and when exactly do I go back to get it drained?
Did you have any recon with the Mx? It seems very early to get your dressings off. Mine were on for longer than that. I didn’t want to look at the wound when I was in hospital but made myself do it as soon as I got home. I think the sooner you do it the better - although it is hard. My hospital supplied soft bras to come home in, cotton front fastening ones. I then wore pull on bras from Asda. Is the swelling where you think there is a seroma sort of pointy and squishy? Mine was like a mini boob at the side. Getting a seroma drained is pretty sore, and you can try to put some heat on it to help, like a covered hot water bottle for example. I think you need to phone your Breast Care Nurse to get some answers to all of your questions. It does seem as if you have been discharged without any advice at all. I had seroma drained twice, and basically I got it done when I couldn’t stand it any longer!
I feel I haven’t really offered you any real answers but I would definitely phone up tomorrow for some specific answers and ask them whether you need to go back to get the seroma dealt with. The swelling may not be due to that at all. Are you still taking painkillers?
There is some post op information via this link which you may find helpful, please also feel free to call our helpliners to talk through any queries and concerns on 0808 800 6000 weekdays 9-5 and Saturdays 10-2: