oops - I got a small hole in my armpit. Need post arm-lift advice.

Hey, everyone-

I had my armlift on the 14th (so 12 days ago).  Healing has been going fine, just as expected.  Bruising and swelling and minimal pain - all normal stuff.   But yesterday I stupidly tried to put my compression garmet on all by myself, got caught in a odd position and felt a little pop in my right pit.  It hurt like crazy, but there was no bleeding.  So I got "rescued" out of the garment and resituated.  Later, I realized I had a small hole in my armpit.  Very small - maybe 1/16th of an inch in diameter, but most definitely a hole. There is a lot of pain and sensiivitiy there - a burning feeling- but no sign of infection.

I've called my surgeon and I'm waiting to hear back - but the nurse suspected that if it was that small and not bleeding that the doctor would not be to concerned and just wait to seem me next week at my regularly scheduled appointment.

My fear is that this little hole could become a big hole, or get infected.  Is this how bigger holes start?  It hasn't changed in size since I got it more than 24 hours ago.  Might it just close up on it's own?  Any advice or experience this area would be so appreciated!!  Thank you!  

I had the very same thing happen after my arm lift (January 10th). I got into the shower and without thinking reached up to adjust the shower head. Ouch!!! You should definitely keep an eye on it, but you should be fine. I ended up putting bacitracin and gauze on mine because it would ooze a little, but after two or three weeks it closed up and looks just fine.

Of course, your surgeon will have the official word for you, but I wanted to reply just to say the same thing happened to me, and all is well now.

Thank you so much, you've literally cut my worry level in half! :)

You're welcome! Glad I could help. Good luck with it.

I popped the stiches twice (i rejected them), so, I started using steri-strips which worked great. Just keep the moisture away, use a maxipad or panty liner under your arm if it gets too moist.

Good luck,

Shelly

Did your surgeon apply the steri-strip or did you (or someone else) apply them?   That's a good point about the moisture.  It is weeping a bit and I'm sure that doesn't help.  I've stuck some sterile gauze in my pit now after reading that.  Hopefully that will help to keep the area a bit drier.   Good idea!

Thanks for your helpful response!

I had my husband put them in place, and my doctor saw that they were working so he agreed with leaving them in place. The good thing about using the pads is they don't crust up like gauze and tear the wound. 

Ewww!  Yikes.... and, I'm removing the gauze.  LOL!  Maxi pad it is!

Thank you!!!

I'm still waiting to hear back from my surgeon - but I am assuming since they didn't call that they don't feel a need to see me before my regularly scheduled appointment.

I'm beginning to wonder if I am development an infection.  I'm not totally sure how to tell.  The discharge isn't great in amount, but it is yellow and it definitely has an odor.  Some discharge is normal, right? And I don't know what discharge should smell like - not roses, I suppose.  So how do you know if it's an infection?

The skin is red, but if anything it is getting less red with time.  I just took my temperature and it is 98.6 (so perfect!)  The hole is a bit bigger than it was yesterday, thanks to accidently stretching my arm when I was waking up this morning, still half asleep and forgetting. D'oh!!!

If I had an infection, would it be pretty obvious in terms of pain and much more discharge?  I've heard that lymphatic drain can happen, which isn't an infection at all - but I don't know how to tell the difference.

I wish my surgeon would call...   I guess I  need to have more patience.

What do you know... I post and then *ring ring*, it's my surgeon's office!

They gave me a lot of reassurances because the discharge isn't pus-like, it's more liquid and also the area isn't hot.  The surgeon thinks it sounds like the area where he intentionally left a little drain-hole, which may have just widened a bit.   I'm to call if there is any changes in the discharge, or if it gets hot.  Otherwise, I'll see him at my regularly scheduled appointment.

Phew!!!  Just wanted to post the update.   I'll continue to try to keep it dry and take it easy.  Hopefully it'll get better.   Thanks.