Swelling

How much swelling is normal? I'm smaller framed man - 5' 10" 170, but have a unusually good amount of pectoral mass, not bodybuilder level but much more than is average it seems, I thought that might be a good thing as the device is 13mm (.51 in) in thickness.

Had surgury Wednesday, September 14th, and it's Monday, the 19th. So about 5 days with no reduction. It's puffed up significantly compared to to the other side of chest with no implant. Not too overly red beyond the incision at all... somewhat warm as I've been running a fever 99.5-101F, (nurse firmly stated not to be concerned and ignore unless it stays above 101.), It's very puffed up, is it fluid or just the muscle? What do they mean when they say they make a pocket for the device during surgury?

I'm getting so swollen my 52 year old pectoral is sagging a bit under left arm and it's very red and irritated under my arm. I can't lift it to much to see. Don't have my wound check from nurse until Wednesday, so i don't know anyone to ask, nurse despises phone calls, any ideas?

 

Update: doctor said I had hematoma when I saw him today. I'm on blood thinner/ anti platelet Brilinta, it's more powerful it seems on some patient's with post op bleeding, sounds like there is the cause, fever is going down as swelling goes down.

Update day 18 post surgury: Hematoma going down. I will patiently wait and see if 3 months how things look, getting better every day.

1 Comments

Swelling

by Drake3287 - 2016-09-19 16:08:47

As you know swelling is normal and it only gets better. I had an ICD implanted 6 months ago and the swelling was gone in about a month or so. The reddening assocated with the surgery site is almost completely gone and the scar is barely visable.

I don't think the "reddening" completly goes away but it certinly gets better. I'm 5'11", 190 and the ICD is hidden fairly well. I can see if someone was small framed (like my wife), the implant was be much more noticeable. 

I had my first beach vacation a couple of weeks ago and didn't have any problems. It might have been noticable but certinly didn't stick out badly. I was also careful about it not getting to much sun exposer. 

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.

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Good luck with your surgery. It will improve life amazingly.