I had my drains removed on Tuesday and I realize that I am still swollen, but I am a bit worried what these could be. They hurt, and the right side is worse. I took a photo, they are really clear to see.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi40.tinypic.com%2F149cz7n.jpg&hash=7e033122cf8b02fa10ae07594fdff6ff73f0b634)
My surgeon was Dr. Medalie and the nurse said there was no complications.
Also, where the bumps are, are not where the drains were.
Is it built up fluid?
I am concerned..
You said they are very hard? Does it feel like a ball under your skin or just a hard spot by the bumps? I'm not a doctor and the best person to talk to would be Medalie. But to me the bumps look like where your sutures started/ended. Those spots may be a little harder, especially if there is some extra tissue. Built up fluid would be more squishy or soft.
Are you taking any pain medication? Chest surgery, like most surgeries, can be painful. Staying on top of the pain is important. Because you have the concerns, I would definitely contact Medalie or his office and let him know what's going on.
They are very hard. The right is very had and it does feel like a really hard ball. its kind of above where the end of the incision is. not by far, but below the drain hole.
Its not extreme pain. It only hurts when I take off my surgical vest and lay my arms at my side and also when i touch the hard ball bumps.
Yeah, I am concerned. I will call his office in the morning. I just wanted some input before I called for maybe something obvious. Everything else is pefect though. I am in no pain in any other spots.
Sounds like dog earring to me.
Wiki:
Occasionally the side limbs may be quite long, and the expression doctors use is "chasing a dog ear" into the axilla (or underarm). A dog ear is an unpleasant ruffle of skin in the corner of an incision when there is too much gathering usually at an angle greater than 30 degrees.
Not uncommonly the surgeon may wish to revise the incision lines after 3 or more months of settling shows some residual problem areas.
Quote from: Nygeel on March 07, 2012, 09:41:06 PM
Sounds like dog earring to me.
Yeah, that's what I meant by extra tissue. It shouldn't be too painful though. That's the part that concerns me. The only way to really know what's going on is for either Medalie or another doctor (if you don't live close by) to examine you, Damian, and see what's going on.
Medalie is five hours away. He gave me a paper with instructions and it stated on the paper that I should not go to the ER or other doctors because they will not know what to do or how to treat me. I need to call his office and speak to one of his nurse practitioners
As others have said, it could be dog earring. I did have slight ones, but theyve gone down and arent noticeable now (working out really helped contribute to this by building up that area).
But also one thing I noticed, though it may be different to what youre experiencing, was a hard lump where the drain had been taken out (as opposed to below, like you said). It felt like a large and firm spot/pimple whatever you want to call it.
But...*just having a feel of that area now*.... I can only feel a tiny dot at most now. Im guessing it was the drain hole wound healing and scarring that I could feel. Maybe it is that...?