Help Think Ive Got A Problem!

[betheboo 40]

So I'm 8 days post op brachioplasty. I noticed some gaping in my arm pits a couple of days ago. Talked to the nurse she said it was normal. So now my left arm pit is gaping huge! I'm talking an inch and a half long by almost half an inch wide!

On top of that is got puss and drainage. My right arm pit is doing fair its a very small gap. I'm in agony! It hurts super bad

I'm planning on calling the doc in the am. Hopefully he'll do something despite it being a Sat!

[NWgirl 574]

I would buy butterfly strips or steristrips and pull the skin together until you get to see your Dr.

[betheboo 40]

Oh I forgot to mention that... I have been using steri strips to try to pull the skin together but they keep falling off because of the drainage. I even used tincture of benzoine on my skin to help them stick

[betheboo 40]

My internet searches seem to make me think that I need to do wet to dry dressings. Saw some posts on people who said restiching did not help at all. I'm going to run this by my ps in the am and see if he will call me in some kind of antiseptic to soak the dressings in so that they don't get infected.

[Allison0927 329]

Keep us posted - that is high on my plastic surgery list - so i'm all ears about your surgery and recovery and results!! sorry it's going badly at the moment - hopefullly the pay off is well worth the temporary pain !!!

[Maddy1 55]

I am a nurse. You have an infection and may need antibiotics. Keep an eye on your temp. Wounds that are gaping open do not close up easily. The edges need to be together. Until your infection and drainage are under control and there is no more pus, you will need the antibiotics to clear all that up. Then the edges can be dealt with or it may have to heal from the inside out. The things you are describing are not "normal". Hope this is helpful.

[pattymmw 4]

At this point, wet to dry dressings and steri strips are not going to do much. You do need to get started on antibiotics as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more time the infection has to get worse. Are you experiencing a temperature? Does the drainage smell or have a particular color to it? You probably shouldn't wait to call the doctor because now it's the weekend. You should go to the emergency room and get started on antibiotics to avoid being hospitalized and requiring IV antibiotics.

[betheboo 40]

I'm a nurse also. The drainage is clear & there is nit redness, abnormal swelling, no fever, or odor. I got some saline & antiseptic wash to clean it & am doing steri strips. I do agree that starting on antibiotics again prob isn't a bad idea. I wasn't able to call the doc yest (sat) but I'm going to call him today (sun) I was supposed to nit sre him till fri but maybe he'll see me mon instead.

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

ok... so my Tummy Tuck did the same thing on my left hip.... what happened was i picked up on something and popped an inside stitch. But because the outside was glued it didn't open... but what happened was the Fluid built up... got very sore and tender... then it opened and started to drain...

Called the dr. and texted him a picture of the opening. He called in Antibiotics and some silvadene 1 cream. Said to not steri strip it close.... apply the cream and put a sterile non-stick cover. Let it heal from the inside out. Drainage is good... as long as it has no odor.

That was at week 8 and now i'm at week 13 and it is now closed completely....

Keep us posted

[Cazzy 725]

Waiting on all my surgery for this saturday but will definitely keep an eye on things now and get on the phone immediately for some anti biotics if i get a hint of trouble with the scars ..

good luck with the healing and i hope your scars heal up soon

[betheboo 40]

I finally got to talk to the nurse today and she made an appointment for me to come in tomorrow @ 9:30. She called me back and said he may try to stitch it back together, just to prepare me. I have a feeling after he see's it he will change his mind. They told me everything I've been doing thus far is good though. So we'll just have to see what tomorrow brings!

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

Beth.... just wondering what the dr. said?

[Vanilla sky 28]

I am so sorry to read that you are having a small problem.... What did the doctor say? After reading your post I have been very careful with my inscisions around my armpit since it seems to tug more in that area. Other then the problem you are having are you happy with your results?

[betheboo 40]

The doctor was unable to stitch it when I saw him but I'm going back next week to see if things are more healed & can b sutured closed. He was pleased with my wound care & agreed there was no infection @ this time. We agreed that we will wait on antibiotics for now bc I have such trouble with yeast when I'm on them.

He also cleared me for light exercise, thank goodness bc I've gained 23 lbs! He said I can walk & ride the recumbent bike @ the gym. He just doesn't want me working up a heavy sweat. Which doesn't take much since I am not wearing deodorant! Lol

I'm still happy I did it. I knew it wouldn't b easy & that these complications could arise. I've been unhappy with my arms for yrs & this was the only way to get them where I wanted them to be.

[Allison0927 329]

Thats good news! Did the weight gain,occur because of an unfill for surgery? I want the same surgery just curious thaanks!