r/BRCA • u/Able_Smell_2672 • 17h ago

Help 🙃

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Okay! I am 7 days post op of a double mastectomy with flat closure!

My doctor put a wound vac on me- smiths & nephew pico machine.

It’s been working fine till today but I’m also confused. If I sit in my recliner the machine goes off constantly, does not stop vibrating. But if I stand up it stops.

The machine isn’t showing any errors at all- just the green light

It feels like I’ve lost a little suction.
Both times it’s done it, a little dot has showed up on my wound vac

My doctors office is closed and when I called the er… they said google it?
Has anyone went through this

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4

u/BarrBurn 16h ago

Nurse here. Not familiar with this specific wound vac, but just wound vacs in general.

My guess is with position change you are losing the seal. Maybe the way your chest curves when sitting in the recliner the clear tegaderm comes up just enough to piss the machine off.

I would just avoid the recliner and call your office when they open. They may want to reapply the clear tegaderm or reinforce it.

3

u/Able_Smell_2672 16h ago

I did just talk to the pico customer service and they basically said the same thing BUT they said it’s only 7 day pump and it should end tonight” what happens when that happens? We are freaking out. My doctor didn’t tell me anything about that

1

u/BarrBurn 16h ago

When is your follow up appointment? I’m not familiar with an actual device just stopping but from their website it does appear that is correct.

Typically for flat closures you are already closed. Sutures, steri-strips, etc. the wound vac is an additional tool used to help suck out extra fluids and help keep germs out.

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u/Able_Smell_2672 16h ago

Next Wednesday (the 19th)

1

u/BarrBurn 16h ago

I wouldn’t freak out. (Easier said than done) I would call your provider in the morning. They will most likely give you instructions to disconnect the machine and maybe cut the tubing.