Slight Swelling One Year and 8 months After Bilateral Mastectomy

Dpowell7

I have just noticed some slight swelling on my right side. This is the side that was cancer free, so no Lymph Nodes were taken out. Is this common, or something I should be concerned with? Anyone else experience this? I did not have reconstructive surgery, and I have been working out. Any help is appreciated.

Denise

ravzari

It's doubtful anyone here will be able to give you a concrete answer, so if it's concerning, I'd highly recommend making a doctor appointment.

That said, if you had a mastectomy, you had lymph nodes removed; each breast has, I believe, four inside the breast tissue, so even if you didn't have any additional lymph nodes removed, you still lost at least four, which does make mild lymphedema a possibility, even 1+ years after the initial surgery.

I occasionally get random swelling, which I'm aware of because I 'notice' the numb patches when it swells, that seems to be mild lymphedema as it goes away with either compression or lymphatic massage.

Momine

I sometimes get slight swelling on the non-cancer side. Try resting (lying down, I mean) and try this simple self-massage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9FP6AHj9Eo I found it quite helpful.

Erica3681

I would ask your question on the Lymphedema forum. There are some very knowledgeable women there!