Arm Lifted Overhead Causes Major Swelling?

VLH

Everything seemed to be processing nicely after my lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy on 7/14...some general swelling and discomfort, but not bad and I was thrilled that I didn't need drains. My incisions have been healing well and I faithfully performed the arm lifts to the front the nurse showed me at the hospital and had good range of motion in that direction from the beginning.

I was intermittently having a stinging sensation in my armpit quite a distance from the node incision so late Friday night I decided that I needed to see what was going on. I have genetically large upper arms and tons of sagging skin related to a 100 pound weight loss plus a badly encapsulated shoulder so an armpit selfie was used to help me "see" the skin in the awkward location. I found the skin ouchie and confirmed there was no evidence of infection so thought all was well.

Unfortunately, within the hour, I developed significant swelling and discomfort over the node incision area and down to the breast that has been slow to respond to icing. The discovery of DCIS means I'm scheduled for a re-excision lumpectomy Wednesday so I reluctantly called the surgeon yesterday to advise her what was happening. She wasn't especially alarmed and said to keep icing and discontinue the arm lifts.

Has this happened to anyone else? It's disconcerting to do well, then suddenly have a large, tender tennis ball at the front of my armpit over a week later. My main concern, however, is that the surgeon might want to insert a drain during surgery #2. I live alone so not being able to drive is a big problem. (As an aside, when I was considering a BMX, the PS said I could drive if not taking any pain meds provided I could easily maneuver the steering wheel in an emergency.) I checked all my surgery instructions and nothing said to avoid lifting my arm over my head, but I certainly regret doing so.