nipples not healing well?

[Frank]

I had top surgery a week and a half ago. The doctor said to bind ten days and also apply an antibiotic on non-stick bandages specifically to cover the nipples. The problem is, I think the antibiotic is keeping the nipples too wet, they're starting to act like wet toilet paper and tear easy. I smell like a skunk now but I'm afraid to take a shower, because I'm pretty sure the water pressure itself will tear them more. I'm planning on calling the hospital tomorrow, but I don't know what to do with them in the mean time. Should I just let them dry out a little?

[AleksiJason]

I dunno what antibiotic u are using....but Neosporin worked great for me and didnt peel or make htem too moisturized  or wet and my surgeon recommended it

u are supposed to face away from the shower head and just let the water go lightly over your chest...i have a high pressure water head too but if u put your back to it and let the water stream over the front it works out

after i showered i let my nipples get some air for 2 hours then put the neosporin on....i think its important to shower at least every other day to prevent bad bacteria from giving u an infection

[Alexthecat]

A layer came off my nipples. That was normal. They were never bloody though.

[Frank]

They gave me bacitracin ointment to use. They said I could face the shower head even after I said my water is high pressure. Yeeeaaah no, that water pressure belongs in a jacuzzi.

It's not really a layer off the nipples though. I can see bright red tissue under the tears.

[caliyr]

I'm no expert but I suggest you put some gauze/swab-like material on it (make sure it doesnt stick too much to your nipple though), like this,


I for one were given Cosmopor. It's an absorbent adhesive dressing, pretty good and could protect your nipples for now. If you think they are too wet, dont use the mousturiser for now and call the hospital and ask them to see you urgently and see what they have to say about it.

Also, 10 days of binding are not enough. I've had my surgery on 27th May (bilateral mastectomy, double incision) and I've got an appointment with my surgeon on the 10th of July and I will have to wear the binder until I meet her, and I'll see if she think it was enough. Keep wearing the binder 24/7, it helps a lot.

I suggest you check out jelonet, I've been using it and it's been great.

http://www.smith-nephew.com/uk/products/wound_management/product-search/jelonet/



How I usually do it is I take a shower, I put some moisturiser on the scars and nipples (It is very important to use a moisturiser without fragnance and it's recommended that you go to a pharmacy and ask for one specifically for surgical scars), let them be for an hour or so, apply jelonet on the nipple, then the cosmopor dressing. Been doing this for 10 days now and I'm healing super-fast.