Dressings after mastectomy

[Chrissy H]

Thanks Steph J 

The dressing has now come loose think it must have just been an additional dressing that the surgeon must have put on as there is steri strip across the wound too. Thanks again x

[Steph J]

Don't be too harsh on yourself Seagulls it's good to research things and share it . 

I'm well aware of NICE but plenty of  people will wonder what you're talking about so will probably have a Google & find out ...hey presto they've added to their knowledge & understanding. Not a bad thing in my book . 

Iv learnt so much on the forum & it's been priceless to me . I thank everyone for sharing even you Miss Amateur..which you are most certainly not ha ..

Xx

[Seagulls]

I do sometimes tie myself in knots, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing so don’t take too much notice of us amateurs. The key work is the NICE guidance on treating early breast cancer and anything else they do on treating advanced breast cancer. There’s now an agreement to standardise breast cancer treatment based on the best evidence available on what works. Hence if you are in London, East Sussex or Leeds, or anywhere the NHS operates, you will get the best agreed treatment. I think this is good. Even though I don’t always want to take that path, at least it’s based on the best medical evidence available at the time you are treated. 

Seagulls

[Seagulls]

Thanks Steph

you seem to have the knowledge to answer this one not me

thank you very much

seagulls

[Steph J]

Hi Chrissy 

I am a district nurse and am familiar with dressings.

The white tape youre talking about will probably be of similar material to steristrips anyway . 

It should just dislodge away from the skin naturally with time & showering. 

If you have been advised to remove your dressings after 7 days then it should be fine to remove it.

If you are going to reapply a fresh outer dressing you could leave the tape in place it really wont do any harm.

If the suture line is leaking or looks open at all reapply a fresh outer dressing & seek further advice from your BC clinic.

You may find another outer dressing at this stage may provide some comfort especially from friction from your clothing.

Hope this makes sense x

[Chrissy H]

Yes, footie has been a real eye opener haven't got a clue when it comes to rules but enjoy watching England hoping they can do as well as the lioness's and bring it home.  I have been reading a few of your posts, you have me in stiches (excuse the pun).  Thanks for taking the time to post x

[Seagulls]

I had a mastectomy too and I wasn’t happy about it who would be so try and do some nice things as well as dwelling on your dressings. The footie has been fun, I have been a lifetime hater of it as my brother was so keen it annoyed me. I like the way teams in countries I have never heard of seem to be beating much more well known countries. 

How can this be? I need to get a map out. 

Seagulls

[Chrissy H]

Thanks Seagulls. I have posted to the nurses on the forum too.  If I get no joy I will ring BCNs next week and ask.

[Seagulls]

If in doubt do nowt would be my suggestion. It won’t do any harm to leave it until you feel you have the confidence to ring your breast care nurse. Mind you it is their job to answer the questions patients ask, so without you and other novices they wouldn’t be there…

So don’t be shy, keep asking if you want answers from an expert.

I am an amateur but I like to ask things too.

Seagulls

[Chrissy H]

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone can answer my question.  I am 7 days post op (my how fast that has gone) I have removed the outer dressing from my wound underneath of which is a white strip of dressing about an inch and half deep and about eight inches across the wound.  When removing the outer dressing I was expecting there to be steri strip dressings across the wound?  My question is: - should this dressing be removed and the steri strips will be under that or is this a different type of steri strip dressing?  I sound really stupid but I'm so out of my depth with all this self-care.  I didn't really want to ring the BCNs again as I have rung them twice already this week for different things, don't want to become a pest.  Anyone had the same issue??