Late incision bleed advice

[oddjob]

At the 3 week post op mark, my lateral scrotal incision began to bleed at the very corner of the incision...just a slow drip actually.

I was on a business trip and had done nothing out of the ordinary to cause the bleeding to occur.

So, as soon as the plane landed, I got over to a local CVS and picked up some bandages and applied a compress to stop the bleeding...over a period of 4 days, the bleeding ceased and now there is only some clear cellular fluid seepage...each day less and less, so I am encouraged by the healing.

Before my trip, the doc gave me the cycling protocol and told me that as soon as the swelling had gone down enough to feel the pump, that I was to begin pumping the implant daily...

So here is my question: Given the recent bleeding/fluid seepage, is it OK to begin cycling the implant (now that I can clearly feel the pump)?

[archway]

I had a similar situation. At 2 weeks I had sutures removed, and also began to cycle. The incision appeared to just open up, not all the way, however enough that there was minor bleeding. I could see into the incision. Call the doc who was out of state. He suggested steri strips which never stuck. So after a week I had a local doc put in a suture or two, and went back on antibiotics. Three weeks later had those sutures removed and I resumed cycling. Everything turned out fine.. just a bit of a scare.

[dg_moore]

My incision also opened up a bit after surgery, but long before I was ready to cycle. I think it was mostly my own fault - I scrubbed too vigorously in the shower and disturbed the scab. It wouldn't heal so I went back to Dr Kramer and he put in a few stitches and then it was fine.

[mouseco]

My implant was done on May 25th. At about 3 weeks post implant my sutures disolved but there was still some bleeding at the incision. At my 4 week follow up with Dr Kramer deflated the Titan but said the incision wasn't fully healed as well as the swelling not completely resolved and to see him again at the 6 week point. He said that was not unusual. At 6 weeks the swelling had mostly subsided but I was still bleeding from the incision. Dr Kramer suggested I not cycle the implant for 2 more weeks. I saw him again at 8 weeks post op and when he inflated and deflated me there was still a little bleeding and the incision was still not fully healed.I should say that the bleeding was more spotting than bleeding. At 10 weeks post op I was still spotting some what and called for an additional follow up with Dr Kramer. At this time I was very concerned about not cycling the implant and was worried about scar tissue. Dr Kramer assured me everything looked OK I was just healing slowly and 10 weeks out was not unusual. With in the next week the bleeding stopped and the incision was closed. In my case I believe the slow healing was due in part to the blood thinners I take for heart problems and diabetes that I suffer from.

[oddjob]

Mouseco

I too am on daily Coumadin and also suffer from type 2 diabetes...so the slow healing with bleeding/spotting could be due to the other medical issue I have...

I have just reached the 4 week post-op point (AMS 700 LGX) and hope I don't have to wait till the 10 week mark for everything to heal...

Joe

[Electrician]

My Doc had me starting to pump up at 12 days ,and after about 3days of pumping my stitching started to bleed and I had to stop for 2,weeks , Probably way some docs make you wait up to 6 weeks. All is well now 7mons post op.,Give it time to heal ,Wising you many good years with your bionic toy.Enjoy.

[archway]

Looks to me like this my be a little more common than I first thought. I was quite nervous for a few weeks after this happened to me. Looking back I really think that frequent warm baths, scrotal swelling, individual healing rates all can likely contribute to an incision that opens up. I was really anxious to start inflations, however a few extra weeks to resume inflations made no difference whatsoever. My recommendation is just be cautious and lay off too much manipulation until you're confident the healing looks ok and take it slow and easy for the first few weeks. I am a year and a half post op and never give it any thought anymore. All is great !!