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snolan · 01-27-2012, 08:30 AM

Its been 5 weeks since my recontruction surgery and I still have the drain in. The fluid ranges from 20 ml to 25 ml in 24 hour. Tried to kink the line but the pressure build up was too uncomfortable. I'm thinking the expander is just irratating the skin(which I had radiation on) and hoping that when PC puts the silicone in that it won't irriate it so much and it can heal up. I have one more expansion next week, then should be able to do the exchanged in March when I'm off for spring break. I guess I'm just going to have to get used to the drain until then and hope it stops when the exchange is done.
Suzanne

01-27-2012, 08:30 AM	#1
snolan Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: El Paso ,Tx Posts: 436	5 weeks still have drains in. Its been 5 weeks since my recontruction surgery and I still have the drain in. The fluid ranges from 20 ml to 25 ml in 24 hour. Tried to kink the line but the pressure build up was too uncomfortable. I'm thinking the expander is just irratating the skin(which I had radiation on) and hoping that when PC puts the silicone in that it won't irriate it so much and it can heal up. I have one more expansion next week, then should be able to do the exchanged in March when I'm off for spring break. I guess I'm just going to have to get used to the drain until then and hope it stops when the exchange is done. Suzanne __________________ dx: DCIS 6/8/10, HER 2+ 7/26/10; Stage I Age 41 Double mast w reconstruction 6 TCH w 1yr herceptin Tamox. 25 radiation tx Removal of expander on L due to infection. Tried to save it had 3 bouts of antibiotics and went to see plastic surgeon 2-3x wk to get drained. Saving it was my idea not his. But lost it anyway. Reconstruction set for December 21st,2011 Finished chemo 12/2010 Finished Herceptin 8/26/11 Reconstruction 12/21/11 Expanders exchanged for silicon 3/19/12 Nipple reconstruction 5/18/12 Nipple tatooing- 7/9/12- All done yay! 11/22/12-Went back to get scar tissue stretched to even the outside of breast, didn't work due to it being radiated skin.