Experience with suction/negative pressure dressings
So last Thursday I had a bilateral "Goldilocks" mastectomy - it's Tuesday now, so today is the fifth day post-op. I had three nights in hospital and was discharged on Sunday, and every day has felt like a battle with these dressings. It's a system called Prevena that puts a foam layer over the sutures, and then a plastic dressing over that so that the attached pump can then apply a gentle vacuum. Even in hospital, every day has brought patches to the edges to try and maintain a seal. It holds if I'm sitting down but the moment I stand up, the pump goes off, and I hear a little whistle from a new leak somewhere in the dressing. It's getting pretty frustrating - I can't shower without it going off and even just doing a wash at the basin triggers leaks. And forget going for 'gentle walks' - I want to, but not if the dressing's going to leak the whole damn way. I'm due to have them removed on 9 December, so six more days with them. If I thought I was happy to have drains removed, that'll probably be nothing compared to the joy of getting rid of these dressings. Has anyone else had experience with suction/negative pressure dressings like this?
Healing Time
Hi everyone. I am new to this group. I had mastectomy around two weeks back. It's really sore and I have limited arm movement. It feels like my skin is glued to my chest wall. Any movement cause uncomfortable stretch. I would like to know how it has been with other group members. How long does it take for inner stitches to heal? When were you able to move your arm and body like normal without pain? I also have like balls under my arm which is really annoying. Can anyone suggest what they have done for that. Has any one taken any special food to heal faster? I have so many questions. Please help. Thanks
Time frame
can someone please give me a ball park figure of how long recovery takes after a mastectomy and anxiallery clearance? One side only but if you have had both then that is still something to go on. How long after operation before I can wash windows, make beds, vac carpets? For work, not for home, so it needs to be done properly.