small setback -opening under breast
I had surgery with Dr. Capella almost a month ago. Breast lift, flankplasty, brachioplasty and body lift.
Was feeling pretty lucky that my recovery has been fairly easy. Back to work (computer from home) after one week, and healing well. Being careful, taking it easy. Then a week ago got a lung infection (don't think there's any connection to surgery), so I've been coughing my head off.
Feeling weak and wiped out from all the coughing. Just noticed as I was getting in to bed that there is an opening under my left breast at the place in the center at the upside down "T" :-(. I think I've been coughing so much, it opened. I thought things were unlikely to happen like this so far out :-(. So bummed, so had to share. Took a shower, applied gauze and hope this will be in the rear view mirror soon.
Any tips to avoid more setbacks?
I had two openings during my recovery. Time and patience are your best friends.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
I had an opening in my backside at a month out, too. It healed within 2 weeks. Sometimes they just happen. Hang in there.
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
I had a small opening in my arm pit where a Y shaped incision met. It was small, about the size of the head of a pencil eraser at best, but it just felt like it wasn't really getting any better after 2 weeks. I was back at the surgeon's office for another check-up and he noticed that I had a small bit of a stitch right there at the incision that was surfacing (I had quite a few bits of those dissolving stitches that my skin "spit" out and sort of pushed to the surface). He plucked it out with some tweezers and said that it would probably help the wound heal, and lo and behold, it did! Suddenly the opening was just healing pretty quickly. I don't think the stitch was the cause of the opening at all, just that it was delaying the healing process a bit. But definitely some openings are common. Especially if you're hacking up a lung and putting strain on things. It will probably heal sooner than you think, but in the meantime, I'd do whatever you can to minimize those symptoms. Load up on cough drops, or whatever other meds might help. Though I would imagine to some extent there isn't too much you can do. All that chest congestion has to come out somehow! Glad that you're feeling well otherwise!