Surgical scar lumps.

[Tickertalker]

Hi all, It's three months since my heart surgery and while my scar has healed I've noticed three small lumps at the bottom of the cut. They aren't painful but I do worry that they may be infections. Any ideas?

[Fredders]

Hi, I had a lump at the top of my scar but eventually it disappeared. If your lumps look red or feel warm, contact your GP or Nurse Practitioner as it may be an infection. It isn’t unusual to get lumps at the top or bottom of the scar, so keep an eye on it, but if you are still worried contact your surgery.

Wendy

[Tickertalker in reply to Fredders]

Thanks Wendy

[Nic25]

Hi Tickertalker. If it's any help I also had a lumpy bit at the bottom of my scar, basically just below the breastbone and where it ended. I was reassured it was just where the bottom of the incision had been sewn up and it has reduced over time and is no longer there at all now (nearly two years on). My drain wound also took a while to heal and, if anything, was more painful/uncomfortable than the main scare, which I found odd.

But Wendy is right, if things feel hot or sore or tender or look red that's probably a sign to get it checked out. And even if it isn't, if you're worried about it, again asking your GP or practice nurse or someone on the cardiology team may be helpful in providing some reassurance.

Good luck and hope your recovery continues ok. Take care. Nic x

[Tickertalker in reply to Nic25]

Thanks Nic. Lumps aside it seems you are my double. I also had my aortic valve replaced and an ascending thoracic aneurysm repaired. Oh and my name is Nic (No K) as well. I hope that the similarities end there and that you didn't also suffer a stroke during your surgery.

[Nic25 in reply to Tickertalker]

Crickey, snap! But no I'm pleased to say I didn't; I was lucky things went very smoothly, though very sorry to hear that about you. Is all mostly ok now?

Nic x

[Tickertalker in reply to Nic25]

I really got the fuzzy end of the lollypop. Basically if something could go wrong it did. The stroke which cost me an arm and a leg and some very nasty falls, a second operation to drain fluid, rushed back into hospital with suspected Endocarditis. I could go on. There was a five day period when I was convinced that I'd reached the end of my road because of potential blood clots after mistakenly been given a vitamin K drip. I was stuck in a hospital ward alone with my thoughts and no visitors allowed because of Covid. It was all very grim. All in all I was hospitalised for two months but I've been home now for a few weeks and I'm pleased to say that the stroke is very much on the mend although I'm wobbly in the morning. I'm still a bundle of aches and pains in my chest, shoulders and arms. And I am plagued by night sweats which worries me at times. Hopefully there will be no more nasty surprises. The stroke doctor told me that I would make a good recovery but I wouldn't go canoeing down the Amazon again. (Something I did a couple of years back.) I've bet him I will and that I'll send him a postcard. We'll see. Nic.

[Love101cats in reply to Tickertalker]

Im sitting here in my recliner feeling sorry for myself because its 3 a.m. and I can't sleep! And I read your post and feel shame. Yes I've got heart failure plus kidney disease and other things but what am I feeling sorry about. Im in my home in comfort. I haven't had an A&E visit for about 2 years. Thank you for the reality check and I hope you continue making progress.

[Nic25 in reply to Tickertalker]

Oh blimey. You've really been through it. Very sorry to hear that and hope you do make that good recovery and in time get things back on an (even Amazonian?) even keel. Take care. Nic x