Seroma, dealing with and pain

JenniferBC-214

Hello and thank you for having me here.

BMX 7/24, emergency surgery for bleeding 7/25, extreme pressure wraps applied 7/25. Arm pits to bottom of ribcage. 2 day admission turned to 4.

I actually wasn't to bad after surgery, I am fortunate enough to still have great range of motion. Non cancer side drain removed 2 wks after, no problem. Cancer side drain removed at 3 weeks because of infection threat. I developed a seroma that has had to be drained every 2 to 4 days topping out today at 300 cc's after 4 days. I have been wrapped up so tight I have to sit up to sleep. The pain from this fluid buildup is unbelievable. Seroma has crossed over to non cancer side and 50 cc's were drawn off today also for a grand total of 350 cc's drawn off my chest.

Today I had a drain reinserted by my surgeon in procedure room in her office. Think mini OR. Also had new pressure wraps applied over surgical bandages.

Help!! When does this end? Can seroma be removed surgically? I was told think of it as a water balloon and not just free flowing liquid.

Veeder14

Hi Jennifer BC-214,

I've had several seromas~2 from lymph nodes removed in my arm pit after the lumpectomy; and 3 seromas in my upper leg after lymph nodes removed during melanoma surgery. As far as I know there isn't any way to surgically remove the seroma as it's like a pocket filled with fluid.

Mine weren't as large or have as much fluid as you mention, however they were problematic. My surgeons kept insisting that the lymph fluid would find a way out over time but it never happened. I just kept going back to get them drained. I hope the fluid build up slows down for you soon as I know how painful this is.

Moderators

Jennifer - Welcome to BCO! We are sorry that your breast cancer diagnosis and post surgery complications have brought you here but we are glad that you reached out.

Although seromas are very common, can be really painful and uncomfortable, and can take months to resolve in some cases. Here is some information on Seromas on our website if you want to learn more.

Keep us posted on how things work out for you.

The Mods

Pattimills2017

I consistently complained that my seroma, the size of a large egg, was uncomfortable. I kept being told it would never go away. This past Saturday I developed an infection. Again an ultrasound was taken and it still showed my egg-sized seroma and also an infection under my skin. I was told it was cellulitis and that the seroma would never go away. Finally an urgent care doctor recognized the fact that the strong antibiotic that was being administered via IV had not been working so she called in a surgeon. Next thing I know I'm being sent across the street to the hospital to check in for surgery. The seroma and surrounding infected tissue was removed. The seroma contained the equivalent of a shot glass full of pus. Today was day 5 of an open wound the size of a lemon that has to be unpacked, washed and repacked daily. I'm told recouperation will take 2 months healing from the inside out and I should be feeling better in 2 weeks. Ugh

Veeder14

Hi Pattimills2017,

Sorry to hear your Seroma became infected and you got cellulitis, and had surgery to remove it and the infection. I had the same thing happen to me only it was 3 seromas in my groin, I got severely ill with chills one night, passed out, had cellulitis, and ended up having to go by ambulance to the hospital. My blood tests were all screwed up,I also had surgery but in the doctors office.

I Had to have my huge hole packed and unpacked daily which took about a month to heal up, a hassle for sure but it healed fine. Not a great way to get rid of seromas but it’s gone forever. Just keep doing the packing so the top layer doesn’t close up on you.

JenniferBC-214

I haven't been able to get back to this page, thank you for responding

JenniferBC-214

I will be looking at links suggested

margo53

Hi ,

So glad to have found this forum.

I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal on Sept 23. Developed a seroma at 10 days post op at the node site and it has been drained twice. ( I had no drain placed in surgery). Around day 10, I developed redness on the skin, about the size of an orange. Looks like a bad sunburn . I have been on Keflex( immediately post op), then Cipro, now Clindamycin. I think the fluid build up is less because the tissue feels soft now and the pain is less. Culture of fluid was negative. Skin is a little less red.Never have had fever. Is there anything else I can do ? I go back in 3 days. Thanks for listening

Yogatyme

Margo, I had a seroma after my drains were removed and I applied hot, moist compress on it for 15 min several times a day. It resolved in about 2 weeks. I also massaged and stretched a lot. You may also ask if PT would be beneficial. That underarm swelling is a pain in the butt!! The good news is it is usually nothing to worry about medically but physically it is worrisome bc it is uncomfortable. Good luck with this!!

margo53

thanks so much for the prompt reply. I think I’m ok with the fluid but it’s the cellulitis that is worrying me most and the fact that it’s very slow in dissipating. and the fact that this is delaying radiation. Thanks again

Veeder14

HI Margo,

I’ve had seromas after each surgery, with one getting infected and getting cellulitis, had emergency surgery and then had to pack to heal from the inside out. I hope your taking antibiotics for the cellulitis and the seromais not infected. My cellulitis seemed to take forever to completely disappear and kept spreading and then fading. Here’s hoping yours goes away soon. Sorry to hear this is preventing your start with radiation.

margo53

wow! That’s a terrible experience you went through!

I think I’m over the worst of it and doubt it will need draining again. I’m on my 3 rd round of antibiotics and the cellulitis is less red and shrinking also. The fluid from the seroma was cultured and came back negative, so I don’t understand why or how I got cellulitis.

So I go back to surgeon Tuesday and I think she’ll refer me to the next step.... the oncologist . Thanks for sharing your experience