The Op

Oh you poor love!  That sounds like an awful experience, and I have to agree with you, being the owner of an accident prone puppy, I think veterinary hospitals could teach the NHS a thing or two at times!

Marsha x

Hi Kate,

I had the same surgery so I have every sympathy. What a horrible hospital! I've heard of women being discharged the following day after a sentinel node and WLE but an axillary clearance is a much more invasive operation and you should have had some more TLC.

I know having drains in is a nuisance but don't be in too much of a hurry to have it removed prematurely. I had mine taken out early (because of other complications) and subsequently had problems with a seroma.

All the best for a speedy recovery.

KateG

Hi

I can sympathise as I recently had a mastectomy and lymph node clearance. I was originally told I'd be in 5-6 days unless happy to go home with drain in situ. I had the op on Friday afternoon and by the time I came round they were telling me I could go home Monday, not optional. By Sat afternoon the surgeon told me I was going home Sunday! Which I did.

With hindsight I'm glad I did come home and I recovered really quickly but it did feel very uncaring at the time.

I was told drain would come out after 7 days regardless of drainage due to high risk of infection if left longer. I get what you mean about the dressing though it was two weeks before mine came off with nobody checking or anything!

You will come out the other side of this and feel great again but take your time and take care of yourself and you'll be back to normal quicker than you think.

Good Luck for a speedy recovery and take care

Maxine

Hi Kate,

Which hospital were you in because it sounds like we should all stay clear of it. I had a groin & pelvic dissection so I was expecting to be in for about a week - unfortunately it ended up being 2 weeks as my drain didn't slow down & I got an infection. If they take your drain out while you are still leaking don't worry as they fit a bag on instead & there is less chance of infection with that.

It looks like it may be standard for hospitals not to check the dressings for quite a while because mine wasn't done until I was discharged on the 13th day!

The dressings clinics seem to give better care because they have to time to do the job properly so hopefully you will start to recover better now you are home.

I hope all goes well for you and that you don't need any further surgery. Best wishes to you & your family, Angie xx

hi kate i am sorry that they were horible my aftercare was good . i had the drain removed the day i was ready to go home the day after my op . but i had to go back and get it drained and my breast nurse was lovely and great she drained me 4 times .lucky this week i didnt need draining .mine was a full left mas and lyhmph nodes removed full clearance 20 lymph nodes one had a little cancer cell. remember to do the exercise and take care

take care and stay postive  debbie