Sick of my Seromas!

georgie1112

Any suggestions on getting rid of seromas? Anyone else had them for a while post surgery? When did they go away? Suggestions on getting rid of them?

Am 6 weeks out from BMX and still needing to get my seromas drained 2x per week from under my incisions. The amount of fluid has dropped on one side, but the other has been the same for 4 weeks. Restricting activity to doing nothing does not seem make a difference.

Medical assistant said some people used compression. Maybe it helps for the first day but with my compression bra, fluid still collects, Looks like if I didn't drain the fluid, I would have new boobs soon. Haha.... Cheaper than reconstruction!

Just had to remove the fluid myself because I was out of town for Thanksgiving. Eeeeeek. It was stressful, but I finally did it. I have given shots to animals, but have never used a needle on myself. The visual of the needle going in was the part I didn't like.

Any suggestions appreciated!!! Grateful I am healing, just feeling frustrated and would LOVE not to be in the oncologist's office 2x per week. They are very nice but wanting to move on!

georgie

MelissaDallas

No suggestions, but big hugs and kudos for being able to drain it yourself.

I did six months of injectable blood thinners and I never thought I'd be able to stick a needle in my own belly every day.

Kicks

I developed a large seroma after 2nd drain was taken ojt 4 weeks post surgery (UMX).  The first drain had been removed 2 weeks post surgery with no problems.  It was drained several times (don't remember now how mny times) but what finally worked was stopping draining it.  The way my Dr explained it, it was that the draining was irritating the area so it was just staying irritated.  For me, it  worked.  Yes, it was uncomfortable (could feel the presence of it and tightness/pressure) but not painfull (as in sharp/stabing hurt).  He told me if I got a fever, pain, discharge, anything indicating an infection to get in to him or ER.  I don't know exactly how long it was still there as it was a gradual process but I do know it was still there as a 6cm seroma 3+ mths post surgery.  I had 3 weeks between surgery and starting 12 weekly Taxol and the day of last Taxol the rads Dr wanted a new CAT because I was starting rads the next week.  The seroma still showed as being there at 6cm.  A couple years later I had an upper body CAT (to check something else out) and it didn' show then.

Kicks

Georgie - When I read that you had drained the seroma yourself, before I read the next sentence I said to myself she's had a lot of animals she's taken care of.  Especially with large animals (primarily horses in my case) we HAVE to learn how to do lots of procedures - or be millionaires that live in an area where the Vets have large expensive hospitals or can get the animal into a University hospital.

georgie1112

Melissa:)

Thanks for the hugs:))) It helps.

Kicks,

Never thought when I learned to give my animals shots, I'd be doing that on myself! For me it is mostly giving a cat subQ and giving vaccines. But it made using a needle on myself easier.

THANKS for sharing what worked for you. After several days, the seromas are big enough that I am sore. A bra is uncomfortable as it goes over the seroma. I am working now with children so going flat is not an option. Children will say the most honest things! One young boy asked me if I took my teeth out at night like his Grandma!!!!

Guess am not happy it took longer than 3 months for yours to heal. Glad yours resolved though!!!

Will talk with my surgeon. I heard from my primary that surgery is done if they don't heal. Maybe someone else has suggestions? Will speak to my naturopath who is great when MDs don't have any tools.

I couldn't drain one side on Monday and Friday I was able to and got more fluid than the previous two weeks. It pushes out into a space under my arm. Sorry to complain!

Georgie

ziggypop

Hey Georgie, you might want to ask your surgeon about using something more than a compression bra - perhaps wrapping with an ace bandage. I had a seroma after surgery & had it drained & followed that by MLD, but I don't think that would work for the breast (mine was in my armpit). The reason I would think that an ace bandage might work is because I had a hematoma from a biopsy & when I was admitted to the hospital my surgeon came in and wrapped my tightly with an ace bandage applying pressure particularly on the area where the hematoma was. He gave me instructions to not let anybody remove it for the night. In the morning he came back & and the swelling had lessened considerably - he said to wrap tightly for the next 3 days only removing the wrapping once a day to shower & check for any signs of infection. The pressure from the bandage also helped with the pain. I wouldn'y try this without asking first, but it seems like pressure would help move the fluid (?). Please keep us updated. Hope it's resolved soon.

GemStateGirl

I had a seroma develop after my UMX and just as I started chemo. I had my first drain out after a week and the second was slowly collecting less fluid and then all of a sudden it increased dramatically when the seroma developed.

At first, my surgeon wanted to see if it would resolve on its own. By the time I was going crazy having the drain in and was ready to have surgery to correct it, she was out of town so I had to wait for her return. I ended up having that drain for 9 weeks and was so glad to get it out when the surgery was done. On the other hand, I guess it was good because it didn't allow the fluid to build up in my body.

Mainly, I wanted to tell you that the surgery was a piece of cake. I got minimal anesthesia and was aware at one point of the voices in the operating room and said so and they immediately put me further under. I was never in pain and left the hospital after about an hour in recovery. If your surgeon is willing to do the surgery soon, I would go for it. I felt so much better getting that problem resolved. The seroma ended up being the worst part of my treatment.

Hope you get relief soon!

georgie1112

ziggypop,

Compression makes sense. I will ask my doctor and LE therapist about this. Thanks so much!

Phebe,

Good to know surgery was easy and worked. The medical assistant said they drained one woman's fluid for three months:((( which would take me to the beginning of February. Thanks so much for letting me know. I really want to be done with this before that!

Georgie

kmpod

Hi Georgie,

I had my mastectomies 3 months apart. After each I developed seromas. I was drained weekly to every 2 weeks for three months after each.

I got so experienced at it that I could predict how much fluid the surgeon was going to aspirate before she did the procedure. As a result I got to know her quite well.

I found no effective way to slow things down other than time. Just be assured that it will stop. On its own good time.

georgie1112

Saw my surgeon and she recommended I wrap my chest with compression wrap over a soft Tshirt. Also to try decreasing drainage which should work as the fluid is decreasing on one side. Yeah!

She talked about surgical repair too but hopefully we won't go there.

One of my seromas must have leaked because I have a hard lump where the seroma is. Told to massage it to make it reduce.

I do feel there is progress, so am happy we are moving in the right direction! Thanks for the support. Turns out the BS incorporated every suggestion you ladies gave!

Hugs,

Georgie

ziggypop

Yay! I love hearing good news. I really hope it clears up for you (soon) and that no surgery is necessary. (((hugs)))

kmpod

Good news!

You can put up with a lot as long as you see progress.

Once I started drying up it went pretty quickly. I hope yours do too.

denise4603

What's the difference between seroma and cellulitis? Not sure which one I have. My drains would not quit and oncology was losing patience, so my PS pulled the drains after 12 weeks. Now he aspirates me twice a week. Yesterday removed 135cc's from one. Will it ever end? And will Taxol /Herceptin have any effect on it?

georgie1112

hi Denise,

Sorry you are going through this. I cannot imagine having a drain for 12 weeks. Seromas as I understand them are sterile fluid filled capsules that can happen in spaces left after surgery. There is a space left after the mastectomy where the tissues haven't reattached. I really was confused about whether they contained lymph, but seromas are filled with serous fluid. Edema is fluid in the tissues.

The color of my seromas changes. At first mine were tinged with blood, but now they tend to be the color of urine (sorry)! I only have had about 60ml of fluid drained from one breast.

Are you uncomfortable? I had to go back to camis and ditch the bra as the band was across the seromas. I didn't have reconstruction so our situations a a little different. But I am impatient to be done as I'm sure you are.

My surgeon has recommended a compression bandage to prevent the seroma from filling up and this is helping.

Sorry I don't know about cellulitis or Taxol/Herceptin. I do know the main issue with a a seroma can be infection. They also can be repaired or helped along with surgery by removing the capsule.Don't understand this but my surgeon mentioned it as an option.

I hope some other more knowledgable people will chime in. Hang in there!

Georgie

Kicks

denise - A seroma is a pocket of fluid that is contained within the body.  It can be from surgery or trauma to an area.  There may or not be infection involved - usually not but possible.  Cellulitis is an acute infection in tissue and must be aggressively targeted rapidly with antibiotics - usually IV antibiotics - often hospitalization require.  The 2 are VERY different!  With your seroma still producing that much fluid after 12 weeks,  you might want to seek a 2nd opinion - I would!  There are other ways to deal with ones causing so much problems for so long.  Everytime your Dr drains it, there is a potential for introducing an infection.

I can't say what effect Taxol will have on your seroma.  My first 2 weekly Taxol (didn't need Herceptin) my last drain was still in and after it was removed, my seroma was a problem for a while but finally took care of itself.

denise4603

Thanks for clearing that up Georgie and Kicks, I guess I had cellulitis first, and now I have seromas. Hope the infections stay away.

Denise

vlnrph

Hoping Denise "dries up" quickly. Don't read on if you have a weak stomach!

Georgie's comment reminded me of the progression I heard someone use for describing post-op drainage: first you get tomato juice, then it becomes apple and finally lemonade. Apologies to all who enjoy those beverages...

Kicks

denise - Why do you think you had cellulitis before your seroma?   

Seromas are very basically a 'pocket'/'bubble' where fluid collects because the layers of tissue are seperated.  This can be caused by surgery or blunt force trauma where layers are seperated.  (Besides dealing with mine post UMX, over the years, I've had to deal with trauma caused seromas in some of my horses and once with Son as the result of a BMX 'crash'.) Infection can develope in a seroma but is not the start of seromas.  

Cellulitis starts with a break in the skin that allows infection to enter.  It progresses rapidly and can become 'blood poisoning'.   For those with an impared immune system or for those of us who deal with Lymphedema from our lymph nodes being removed in surgery it is something that always has to be watched out for.   If not very aggressively treated it rapidly becomes life threatening.  I'm one of the lucky ones - in my almost 4 yrs dealing with LE (LymphEdema) - I've had no issues at all even though I do a lot of 'stuff' that it would not be surprising as all to develope

georgie1112

vlnrph,

I laughed when you described the colors of the serous fluid! What else is there to entertain us when we are getting so much fluid drained. As an artist, it is interesting to see the huge variety of colors. Mine is slowing down:)))

kicks,

Great your LE is controlled. Mine is too. I have slight issues with work and when I fly. My largest seroma is on the side I had lymph nodes removed. Wondering if this has anything to do with it. Thanks for explaining cellulitis.

denise,

Hope you do get a second opinion or that your seromas start to slow down!

georgie

denise4603

Kicks- I had cellulitis early this month and ended up in the hospital on intravenous IV's and then surgery to wash out my right tissue expander. Since then I have been ok except I have needed aspiration of fluid from both breasts weekly, so I assume that is seroma. Today my right breast is red again and the NP sent the fluid off to be cultured and changed my antibiotics again. I have to go back for re-check Monday. So maybe it is heading to cellulitis again. What a journey.

Vlnrph - I have been through all those colors - ha-ha. and many in-between including iced tea and beer. The one that scared the heck out of me was hot chocolate - went straight to the doctors with that one!

kmpod

Glad to hear things are slowing down, Georgie.

georgie1112

The right seroma has gotten worse:((( Fluid went up to 70ml. I was wearing compression wrap all the time, even at night, determined to do whatever to help them heal. But I returned to doing part of my job, which is physical. I only worked for half day but apparently that was too much. So sad I can't work as I did b4 BMX. Was told it would be a 2 week recovery. 

It was been nearly 11 weeks and I am so frustrated. I hope I won't need surgery to correct the seroma. Our doctor said the longest anyone in her office had seromas was 3 months. I know it is a small problem but the thought of another surgery and continued limitations has me crying. 

Good news is the left side stopped enough. Still gets a bit of fluid but it is getting absorbed! Yeah. But now my PT says there are new adhesions on that side. We wanted the seroma to "stick" so it wouldn't fill up, but now it is sticking too much? So confusing.... I know I could have worse problems. Trying to be calm but it isn't working. 

GemStateGirl

georgie, I'm sorry to hear you're still dealing with the seroma.  Please don't fear the surgery.  It was really, really easy and the relief was instantaneous.  It's been over 2 years since I had the surgery for the seroma but I don't remember any limitations from it.  I had more limitations from having the seroma.

georgie1112

GemStateGirl,

Thank you!!! This helps me relax a bit more. I'm glad you sailed through the surgery! Will bring up possible surgery with my doctor if the seroma doesn't heal soon. It is on the side I had radiation so I wonder if this made a difference in healing. 

Deep breath! I've had so many surgeries (not all listed here), I didn't want to be back in the hospital again. 

bunnysnap

Hi Georgie. I am new on this site (I am in the UK) but posted this (see below) somewhere else on the forum a few minutes ago. I am 3 and half months post op and my seroma feels worse today. And, like your good self, I am trying to stay calm but it's hard and I want to be positive and grateful for life and move forward but I have been in tears all day today because I don't know when it will stop. I am so sorry you are going through it too.

Hi

I am hoping some of you may have something positive to say about how long this lasts...

I
had a double mx in October and a SNB. From the day my drains were
removed (after 3 weeks but was still bagging 60mls daily when they were
removed) I have been collecting seroma fluid on one side. I was having
it drained every week but not for the last 4 (due to xmas and my
consultant going on holiday) so am back next week but it seems to be
getting worse. It's like a water balloon under my skin.

I
am trying to stay positive but am becoming obsessed with looking at it /
poking it and nobody will tell me (because they can't - I do
understand that) how long it will last.

Does anybody have any experience with this? What's the longest any of you have had this? Can I do anyting to help stop it?

Sorry for being a misery-guts - thanks for any help or advice you can offer me x

georgie1112

Hi Bunnysnap- Welcome to the site. I hope you will get some more advice here. I have found the site helpful. But it seems like not many women have this problem. When I asked my breast surgeon's medical assistant how long was the longest any of their patients had seromas, she said 3 months. I am coming up to the 3 month mark as my drains were removed at the end of October. I told her I did not want to be the patient to make the new record for seromas!!! 

I also had a BMX in October. I am also frustrated and feel waiting is getting futile because my seromas are getting worse now. I had to return to working doing more lifting which isn't helping. Last week I was in tears when the tech collected the largest amount of fluid I have ever had drained. It was 70ml. That was after wearing the compression bandage for 2 weeks 24/7. At first the fluid was red but eventually got lighter and turned to a light yellow color. Now it has returned to red. I don't know what that means. This week she collected 50ml and 60ml from each side.

But I am contacting a plastic surgeon to fix it.  It is getting more uncomfortable too. Not sure why but another reason not to wait. I think it may take a long time to see a PS so I need to be patient.

I did find that a wide compression bandage did stop the fluid on one side for a week, but not on the other side. But my physical therapist said I was getting adhesions so I stopped using the bandage. Now both sides are producing fluid. The bandage is about 5" wide and it is wrapped around your chest. I wore it all the time.

Unlike you, I can't stand to look at my chest and don't until I go to the doctor. But that is another topic... I understand the water balloon comment! Mine look like my body is making little boobs. No need to apologize... Hopefully we will both be moving forward without seromas.

bunnysnap

Hey lady

It's like hearing myself :-) My consultant also told me the longest anyone has had it is 3 months and I said I don't want to be the one to break that record and he gave me a smile and a look that clearly stated that it wasn't within my control. He wraps a sticky bandage called 'Mefix' around me every week but it fell off 2 weeks ago and that's when the fluid started again. I must admit I have been a slack Alice with regards to not moving my arm about much. I have been treating it like the other one so maybe that's something I need to pay more attention to. Thankyou so much for replying. Today has been rough. Looking in the mirror is weird. Something I used to do so thoughlessly and now it's a deliberately controlled and planned event. I hope you become more comfortable and familiar with your new reflection. I wish I could offer some words of wisdom but I don't really have any :-)

Do you think wearing a tight bra / compression top / cheap bra 2 sizes too small would help until I get bandaged again?

Hope your / our treatments go better very soon. Do please stay in touch. It's nice (not the right word, sorry) to know I'm not alone in this frustrating and exasperating situation.

georgie1112

Hi bunnysnap,

It does help to hear from someone going through the same thing! I did wear a tight compression tshirt. Just bought an extra small stretch workout shirt. Tried on many brands and sizes. I tried the compression shirts too but liked the fit of the one I bought. It is a stretch polyester. I usually wear a medium or sometimes a large size and the extra small felt good. After 4 weeks of fluid build up, you might wait until you have your fluid drained before using compression. I also bought a compression bra for when I flew home as I had lots of edema. It did help but would ride up and rest on top of my seromas: It created a permanent lump which has not gone away.( So the tshirts helped, compression bra was a bit better and the compression wrap seemed to help the most.

I did experiment by doing NOTHING with my arm. No cleaning. Only used my arm to write, shower and cook. But I still got fluid. I am doing some heavy work and now I have to move, so no chance I can take it easy....

Yes, do stay in touch! Funny that we said the same thing to our doctors about not wanting to break the record! I think I understand the risk is that seromas although they are sterile can become infected. Appreciate hearing from someone going through the same thing!!! Yes, do stay in touch!

bunnysnap

I will I promise!! And good advice, thank-you, about not compressing anything until it's been drained again. I now remember my doctor sent off a sample of the fluid mid-December (last time I saw him) so I will find out on Thursday if it is infected. 

It's been lovely swapping stories with you, thanks so much for the replies and advice and I will check in again very soon to see how you are and update you from this side of the world. I have assumed you are in the USA is that right?

My fond regards to you.

Sister Seroma x

georgie1112

Hey Sister Seroma,

Love that. Yes very good to share! It really helps. Yes I live in the US. 

Fingers crossed...

rengeko

i just had my first seroma drainage on thursday last, and it seems like it's coming back already.  my surgeon managed to pull out 220cc from my left side.  it looked like burgundy wine, to me.  i had the mast on 6/17 so it's WELL past 3 months.  my surgeon also doesn't want to aspirate more than a couple of times as she's concerned about infection.  i can understand that, but i don't want to live with this for the next however many years.  i really want to slap every goddamned person that has told me i'll go back to normal after all this.  not enough that it's going to chop thirty or more years off the end of my life, but i can't have any more "normal" time?