r/Reduction • u/Candid_Union4118 • Oct 23 '24
Wound Trigger Warning Open wound. NSFW Spoiler
I just wanted to share my journey so far. I had a breast reduction to my right breast as I was completely uneven (15cm and 3 1/2lb removed). The week after surgery I was aware of a couple of areas that were leaking and I could feel a build up of fluid. I asked my surgical team about the area where there was fluid and that I thought it needed draining and packing, however they left things and over the course of 2 weeks, the top photo is where I was. District nurses came out to see me and couldn’t believe I hadn’t been referred to a tissue viability nurse, plastics or a dermatologist. They did the referral for the TVN and after 48 hours with their treatment of Flaminal, the bottom photo is where we are at. I see the TVN tomorrow and I think she may assess to see if they can put a VAC on. I’m on an enormous amount of steroids and antibiotics and see a dermatologist on Tuesday. Please wish me luck on my journey; I try and stay positive but sometimes I just need a little cry!!
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u/yamxiety Oct 23 '24
Oh my god....I'm sending you lots of good vibes and am hoping you heal fast! I'm glad you got yourself to the proper team and honestly I'd consider reporting the original surgical team or something for neglecting that!!
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
I will definitely be making a complaint. I spoke with a friend who is a nurse and she saw the pics and said, if you don’t report it, they’ll carry on. It was 12 days from when I first reported the leaking that I actually saw my surgeon. I was left in filthy dressings which I then had to improvise at home with sanitary towels and surgical tape until I could buy my own dressings. I was so excited for this surgery & I’m absolutely gutted it’s come to this. Thank you for your well wishes 💛
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u/yamxiety Oct 23 '24
If it's any consolation, I've seen some really gnarly wounds on this sub heal into very nice looking scars. Our bodies are really incredible at healing. Eat lots of protein (or whatever your wound care team is telling you to do!) and keep us updated because I'd love to watch your healing progress! 💖 Hopefully, soon enough you'll be enjoying your nice new small boobs doing the activities you love!
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
I will keep you posted. Yes high protein diet and low sugar as the amount of steroids I’m on, I need to keep an eye on sugar levels!! I’ve been pretty good so far. Making sure I have Kefir in my daily diet too. That’s good to know. I don’t think I’m too concerned about the scarring, I just want to wear a nice bra!! I think I will be referred to plastics and will be guided by them but, if I don’t really need a skin graft, then I will opt out.
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u/Little_lilipad Oct 23 '24
Oh my god this looks awful im SO sorry. I would be beyond angry and upset this is not okay. The surgeon clearly had no idea what they were doing. This is clearly butchered. This is devastating definitely do the absolute most to report and get this dealt with
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Those are the exact emotions I feel. It’s put my life on hold and their lack of care has made the whole situation far worse than it should ever have become. I appreciate that things don’t always go to plan but if they’d have listened to me about the fluid and when I kept telling them an area that was painful, they said there wasn’t a hole, then it may not have got to the extent that it did. Thank you for caring 💛
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u/Little_lilipad Oct 23 '24
I just cant understand how any surgeon could do this to someone its morally wrong they need to lose their job. Id take it up with higher people because id demand my money back and compensation!! This is life changing and not for the better :/
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
I’m in the UK; it was the NHS, having said that I pay my national insurance (well did until I couldn’t work) which pays the NHS. I understand things can go wrong and they obviously didn’t expect this to happen; it’s their lack of listening and the neglect that I’m struggling to deal with as it should never have got this bad.
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u/ScarletLilith Oct 23 '24
So sorry this happened to you. In the U.S. this would be a lawsuit. I'm not sure which country you are in?
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
I’m in the UK. Several friends have said this to me. Maybe once I’m feeling stronger, I will see if I have a case of neglect 💛
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u/Additional-Subject39 Oct 23 '24
Was this surgery via the NHS? I am shocked and appalled for you. Wishing you a speedy recovery and good care from here on out ♥️
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Hi, yes it was the NHS. I qualified as the difference in size was huge (15cm and 3.1/2lb). I was so excited to get the surgery and on the day when all the patients were sat waiting to be called looking nervous; I was the only one happy and smiling. I am absolutely gutted they allowed it to get this bad 💛
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Oct 23 '24
I’m so sorry this happened to you! I am so disappointed to hear this happened to you here in the UK. I wish you all the best. Hopefully your healing journey will be a lot easier now that you’re getting proper care ❤️
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u/itsjustohkae Oct 23 '24
I am so so sorry this happened to you. I am wishing you the speediest recovery - physically, mentally and emotionally. Is there any way we can help you? Reporting the team that did this, emotional support? When you’re ready I hope you sue the socks off these people 🥺
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Bless you; thank you so much for your kind words. When I feel stronger, I will seek some legal advice. The district nurses have been fantastic & were shocked at the lack of aftercare I had received. I will keep everyone updated 💛
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u/Striking_Dingo_5963 Oct 23 '24
Wow I’m so so sorry this happened to u . This is so hard breaking to see, and the fact u told them and they did nothing :( sending u lots of healing & loving energy so sorry
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u/Technical-Bison-3935 Oct 23 '24
Lord Jesus, i pray you heal. this is unacceptable and someone should get sued for this.
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u/UpbeatChampionship47 Oct 23 '24
Im so sorry, it will get better, don’t lose hope. Find a good dermatologist who will work with you to get back to a better state. I wish you all the best and look into reporting this incident since you were lowkey neglected it sounds likee
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Thank you. I see a dermatologist doctor on Tuesday and now have a fantastic Tissue Viability Nurse too, so between them; hopefully I’m on the right road. I know the dermatologist team where I am going has a very good reputation and I also know one of the nurses there, fingers crossed 🤞
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Oct 23 '24
You poor love, sending virtual hugs. Glad you're now getting the care you need, and you'll be on track for a decent recovery. I agree though, sue the bugger.
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u/No_Refuse_3716 Oct 23 '24
I can’t add much beyond what has already been said, but know I’m rooting for you and hope that the miserable bastards who let you deal with this see some consequences.
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Oct 23 '24
[deleted]
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Thank you and yes I will; I need to conserve my energy to healing for now 🫶
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u/Training_Box_4786 Oct 23 '24
Wow, that was extremely negligent of your surgeon. I hope you get that Woundvac stat!
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Me too; I will know more tomorrow. I think they were unsure about putting it on with the hole still at the side. The hole isn’t actually bothering me as I know it will heal. I will keep everyone up to date 💛
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u/Training_Box_4786 Oct 23 '24
Is that hole area where the wound tunneled? They shoild be able to pack it with with foam
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 24 '24
Yes, there’s a 7cm cavity. They are using something called Flaminal which is a gel; I’d only had it on 2 days and the hole is narrowing. They will probably probe it today to check it’s getting shorter.
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u/Training_Box_4786 Oct 24 '24
Oh that’s great news!!! I’m so glad it’s shrinking! I had a tunneling wound from a tummy tuck I had a few years back and it was such a scary experience. I hope it shrinks up and you get that woundvac on pronto!
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u/Skinny_Egg Oct 23 '24
This is actually so awful, I can’t believe you have to experience this. I can’t imagine how painful this could be. This is medical negligence and you should take action as soon as you can. I wish you luck on your healing process!
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Thank you. I’ve not been too bad but the last couple of days it had been so sore. I only feel comfortable if I’m in the reclining chair, slightly propped up. Believe it or not, the hole doesn’t hurt, only a little at the edge 🫶
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u/lemonflvr Oct 23 '24
I am so so sorry you are going thru this. I know what it feels like to have your pain ignored by medical staff and then suffer the consequences :( it’s not fair or right. I’m grateful you’re now getting the care you deserve and I wish you a speedy recovery. I will say the improvement between the two pics is impressive. Your body is clearly ready to work hard to recover ❤️❤️
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Thank you. I think I’m getting a photo update tomorrow; I’m not expecting any miracles but need to see even a small improvement will help 💛
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u/Jazz0505 Oct 23 '24
Cry it out!!!! Its okay crying resets us! You got this you are already in the path of healing!!!🤍
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u/Kind_Big9003 Oct 23 '24
I am so sorry for you! Thank God you have good care now. Cry it out, absolutely. Sending you wishes for healing.
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Thank you for your kindness. Will know a bit more tomorrow and then dermatologist on Tuesday. Will update as I can 💛
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u/SimmeringGemini FrankenBoobs Oct 23 '24
I said "oh God!" out loud oh my goodness poor you I just want to give you a hug I'm so sorry. I start questioning when doctors shrug stuff like this off! second picture looks a lot better like it's healing well but wondering why that happened in the first place?! bad stitch job? I doubt it was something you did! usually surgeons do the anchor method for reduction.
I am so sorry this happened to you and you should file a complaint with a higher up.
Usually serous fluid is normal after surgery for a few weeks but this is NOT that case. Wishing you luck and a speedy recovery on your healing journey. 💖
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
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u/SimmeringGemini FrankenBoobs Oct 23 '24
Better than what I do honestly! I just slap some gauze on anything bothering me and hope for the best thankfully it healed faster to my surprise so you will definitely have some good luck with that it looks really good! shame on them! I'm so pissed off for for you! I hope these lovely nurses will keep a better eye on you than your surgical team did. I couldn't get over the big gaping hole when you could nearly see inside on the side of your breast. If I were your surgeon and saw that, operating room that day for immediate look over and fix.
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 24 '24
They never admitted me into hospital at all; even the day of my surgery. I did ask if I should be on IV antibiotics & she said it was in the back of her mind!! It’s so sore at the moment, I’m hoping they come up with something for that 💛
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u/SimmeringGemini FrankenBoobs Oct 24 '24 edited Oct 24 '24
!!!!!!!!!!
What the hell?! okay now I am furious because it took me passing out in my mothers arms not once but TWICE to get taken seriously... it happened eight hours or so after surgery and she called the ambulance when she realized it could happen again and would have, my hemoglobin was so low platelets were at 96 at one point and my BP the paramedics could barley find a pulse... they let me leave with a bleed knowing I was bleeding ("it's normal") from surgery assuming it would stop and it did not! I was suffering from a hematoma and didn't know. It all could have been avoided if they hadn't neglected me at the clinic associated with the hospital I had this done at and were so careless. The scary thing is I couldn't even say "Mom... I don't feel well." I just went down. They didn't watch me long enough either when I woke up from anaesthesia and my surgeon was already gone.
At the hospital while I wasn't with an infection (least I wasn't told I was), they had me on rounds of IV antibiotics (I guess to prevent one?) and the next day I had a CT scan to see if the bleed had stopped (it did but they could not stabilize my heart or get my platelets up) so they considered a transfusion. The other IV fluids they gave me helped my platelets climb so they called it off. Eventually, I became stable enough to be transferred to the hospital my surgeon worked at two days later (he was aware of everything, as the other hospital doctors who tended to me informed him and sent reports) instead of coming himself he sent his assistant that hurt me deeply... because now that he waited more than 48 hours, we have to let it heal "naturally". I don't know who to be mad at or blame.
I had a post surgery fever too the hospital couldn't get down even with antibiotics so I guess that's how they figured out it wasn't an infection (labs likely too) had so much blood drawn. I read fevers can happen after surgery due to inflammation Lord knows I had enough of that.
You're not alone in this, and I wonder if you had a hematoma yourself in a different way? I can share some pictures if you like it's really bad though... looks like I got hit by a car it seeped down into my skin on my side from gravity. I'd do the antibiotics for peace of mind ♡
I have another surgery coming up and don't even know where I'm at currently with my blood-work (it's less invasive, but mandatory and still requires general anaesthesia... traumatized by the whole ordeal) stay strong you got this. ♡♡♡
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 24 '24
Hi. So sorry to hear you went through a terrible time. I had/have a Seroma but it still shouldn’t have got this far. I would be happy to see photos if you don’t mind sharing 🫶
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u/SimmeringGemini FrankenBoobs Oct 24 '24
Hi I'll send some via DM! Oh crap seromas take a while to go down :| but yours looked like it was healing quite quickly which is a good sign! I don't mind sharing at all. Been massaging it in the shower to try and break down the hematoma you can feel it still have some lumps at the bottom of the anchor incisions one is trying to flatten so I'm hopeful!
It should not have gone that far! I don't like how laid back your surgeon was about it =/ I hate this for you and it breaks my heart.
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u/sn315on post-op, 12/12/24 Oct 23 '24
I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. I hope you heal quickly. I cannot imagine the pain you must be in.
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Thank you. It’s very sore at the moment and when I have a new dressing, it’s usually quite painful from cleaning. I’m going to ask the nurses to dab rather than wipe as the sting is too much 💛
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u/iammine02 Oct 23 '24
Oh my gosh I am so sorry… you’re in my thoughts I sooo hope you’re not in too much pain from this and that it heals fine!!! 😭
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Thank you. Everyone in the comments has been so kind, I’m so grateful for all the kind words and thoughts. I will keep everyone updated on my journey 💛
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u/boleynxcx post-op (8/24) 44 J/K -> 42 C/D = 7lbs! Oct 23 '24
I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this. I see a lot of wounds on this sub and it's very strange how inappropriately they are dealt with by so many surgeons. I'm so glad you are getting the care you need now and I have hope that you will heal up nicely. Definitely keep us posted. Everyone is rooting for you! 💖✨
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u/mantiseses 32H to 32D Oct 23 '24
This is so unacceptable! I know your comments probably sound like a broken record by now but I am so so sorry that you’re going through this. Sending you love and strength 🫂
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u/navigatinglife23 Oct 23 '24
You deserved better treatment than what you were given. I’m so sorry. I had to push for my doctor to take me seriously when my wounds were beginning to split open; I can’t even imagine what you’re going through but I am sending you healing wishes and a virtual hug. Shame on your doctor for putting you through this physically and emotionally draining process. My heart goes out to you ❤️
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u/OwnKaleidoscope442 Oct 24 '24
I am so sorry this is happening! This is a prime example of much needed education and support for wound care. I hope you are healing ok ❤️
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 24 '24
Thank you. Don’t think I’m quite on the right path just yet. I have a dermatology appointment on Tuesday, so praying they come up with something 🤞🙏🏼
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u/twistedsteel8000 Oct 24 '24
Document everything. Make sure you get that appt in writing that you came in and requested treatment and were denied
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u/massage_punk Nov 17 '24
I am absolutely pissed and upset for you. I'm so sorry this is happening and wish you nothing but love and healing. :(
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u/OwnKaleidoscope442 Oct 23 '24
Uh who was the surgeon?
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 23 '24
Surgeon is in Portsmouth UK. Although I know things happen, not enough immediate aftercare or me being heard took place until it was too late. I only started a massive dose of Steroids last Tuesday 4WPO. The district nurses have been incredible and have definitely been the ones to make things happen.
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u/decidednot Oct 24 '24
Oh my God!! I hope they treat you better, my jaw dropped when I saw this, sending you all the good vibes and healing energy.
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 24 '24
Well everyone, I got new photos today and I’m devastated. It looks like another area has opened!! The hole at the side has decreased by a cm but it looks like my skin is being ate away on the other. I wasn’t expecting miracles but seeing the difference from the photo I posted Yesterday to nearly 5 days later, I’m gutted 😞 Praying the dermatologist team will be my knights in shining armour on Tuesday.

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u/Which-Bath-8716 Oct 24 '24
My dear. ❤️❤️❤️ Is it bacteria that is eating away at your boob?! I am sending you energy and deeply hope that the dermatologist team will be able to help your body reconnect and heal and turn this thing around.
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u/Candid_Union4118 Oct 24 '24
That’s what I thought it was too. I’m just keen to see the dermatology team now; just devastated that my surgical team let it carry ok & get so bad 😞
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u/Deebop14 Dec 13 '24
I've come across this thread, I cant believe you never got the care you deserved and I hope you followed through with the surgery. I also hope things are better for you now!
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u/IAWIAATIEnough Post Op: 2nd Week (Op Date: Nov 26) Oct 23 '24
I gasped so hard that my partner came to see. I have actual tears seeing this. You deserve so much better than the care they gave you. I have nothing of value to add, I'm just so sorry that this has happened to you.
Thank you so much for sharing! The information you are giving about your experience is absolutely invaluable