Bilateral with FNG 5 days ago - not feeling great?!

[CharlieG83]

I’m not an active member of the community in the UK, but I need a little bit of advice following an NHS bilateral mastectomy with free nipple graft on Monday just gone, so here I am...

 

Background: 35 yo, socially transitioned in 2014, finally got referred to Charing Cross from Wales in 2015, seen for the first time late 2016 and started on T in 2017 following my second assessment. I went on the list for Ms. Dabritz at Manchester last March for top surgery, and after a nightmare of constant chasing, got given 12 days’ notice for my op to happen on Monday gone, despite being promised at least 4 weeks notice to organise respite care for my disabled 11yo, although that’s another story. The organisation side of it was absolutely dire both before and after, and the ward was utter bedlam, but the op itself seemed to go okay. Unfortunately, within 6 hours I started developing a massive haematoma, endured fairly poor clinical care whilst they sorted out getting me back into theatre in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and whilst I’m not regretting the decision to have the op in the slightest, I have definitely been left somewhat traumatised by the whole hospital experience prior to being discharged on Wednesday. 

 

I’m not in much pain at all and haven’t needed to take any pain relief other than paracetamol and brufen since Wednesday night; I’d assumed that my high levels of nausea were related to the well known constipatory effects of opiates that I’m very prone to, but having well and truly got ‘things moving’ again today, I’m puzzled to find I’m still feeling really sicky. Can anyone else identify with this experience 5 days post-op or more? My temp is fine, but otherwise I can’t say I feel anything close to ‘well’ at this point. The last bloods I had done revealed a decrease in haemoglobin immediately following the bleed, but not enough to warrant a transfusion, and as far as I know my u’s and E’s etc. were within normal parameters post second trip to theatre. They took the first drain out on Wednesday prior to discharge, and the one out of the haematoma side yesterday in clinic, but I live 5+ hours from Manchester and the only advice I’ve really been given is around further swelling/seroma/fever and not letting anyone even touch my dressings without speaking to the on-call breast up there first...

 

I’ve had two major brain ops in the past, along with a bout of post-operative meningitis that landed me in hospital for a month, so I’m not a stranger to pretty major surgery and what to expect in the immediate aftermath, but I really wasn’t expecting to still feel quite this systemically cruddy on the border of day 5, even allowing for the complication I had.

 

If anyone has any thoughts or words of wisdom, all will be very gratefully received!

[VickySGV]

Welcome to the Forums Charlie--

 

In my case it was bottom surgery (GCS) but it took me over 4 months get over loggy feelings and lack of stamina.  You have mentioned a lorry load of stress leading up to the surgery, and I know in my case (which was moved up as well) I ended up with an emotional "hangover" from the do-or-die hormones that had gotten into my system during the period I was having to do sixteen things when I should only have been doing one or two.  That is a suggestion only as to what might be running around with you, and you do need to keep your contact open with your medical team.

 

[Carolyn Marie]

Welcome to Trans Pulse, Charlie.  I'm afraid I can't be of any help in the surgery department.  But I do at least want to offer my sympathy for what you're going through.  I know that the best way in U.S. hospitals to get the care you need is to be insistent, persistent and not settle for second-best care.  You should let your nurses be your advocate to the doctors, because  they are with you night and day and can speak for you in regards to your pain and side effects and needs.  I hope things get properly sorted for you and soon. 

 

(((HUGS)))

 

Carolyn Marie