Are there any seroma/breast tissue experts in the house?

ctmbsikia

Hi. Hope everyone is doing as well as can be. I didn't know where to put this exactly, but thought it might fit in with the after surgery gals.

I'll try to be brief. Lumpectomy Jan. 2018. Had a 3 week post op seroma upper inner that resolved within 2 months. Dec. 2018 Mammo was all clear. Mar 2019 fairly certain I injured left breast with a weight, or the handle of the air bike, or something. This is lower than post op seroma inner 9:00. Jun 2019 it showed up on MRI -here is what it said:

LEFT BREASTIn the interval, in the upper inner quadrant, there is susceptibility artifact consistent with postbiopsy changes. There is a fluid fluid level seen on T2-weighted images consistent with seroma/hematoma. In the 10:00 axis on the superior medial aspect of the hematoma/seroma, there is progressive enhancement, postcontrast image #132 and sagittal imaging #118. This measures 1.0 x 0.7 x 0.4 cm (AP by TV by SI). Although this could represent postsurgical changes, as this corresponds to the only area of enhancement within the left breast, this is probably benign and six-month follow-up MRI is recommended. No corresponding abnormality is seen on mammography of December 2018 and given the seroma, this area is not likely to be identified with ultrasound.In the remainder of the left breast, there are is no additional dominant mass, area of architectural distortion or abnormal enhancement to suggest malignancy.

Saw the BS in June and she said it was unremarkable. I told her it was annoying me. All she offered was take some Advil after your exercise classes. See you in 6 months.

Questions: Why won't it resolve? Should I try some heat? Should I press on my breast with the palm of my hand when no one is looking? I do wear a tight bra 24/7 now. As you can imagine, after 6 months it's starting to drive me a little crazy feeling the pinching and pulling in there. Should I just resign myself to the fact that it has taken up residence in my breast and start charging it rent?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions on how to deal with this.

HopeWins

Charge it rent! I love your sense of humor Sometimes it's all we've got dealing with this stuff.

I had a seroma following lumpectomy that was found on the MRI. It wasn't bothering me and I ended up having bmx, so that took care of that. That being said, when the PS was going over possible complications he mentioned hematomas/seromas. I said - Yup, I've had one. He said, If you have one again, they usually resolve but if it doesn't OR if it's bothering you, we can drain it.

My PS said it doesn't hurt, but maybe that's because I have no nerves in my DIEP foobs. Hopefully someone who's had a lumpectomy can advise or try the Lumpectomy Lounge thread.

If you're concerned about that enhancement part, maybe you could push for a biopsy with the added bonus of draining the fluid?

DorothyB

Not an "expert", but have experience. I had surgery late April and had a seroma / lots of swelling a couple of weeks later. Went back to surgeon. He basically said to keep it wrapped more. Had radiation and was told that breast would be smaller & perkier than the other one after radiation. It got bigger, but rubbing it, etc got it back down to where it was. Finished radiation approx July 23rd. Finally made an appt w/ surgeon again on Monday and appt was Tues afternoon.

I went in and he said he would drain it. He told me to turn my head away and don't look. I thought he numbed it with lidocaine since it didn't hurt. The PA was there the entire time, handing him stuff when he asked for it, etc. After he was finished and left, I remembered that I had dizziness after lidocaine from my biopsy because of the epinephrine included plus stress. So, asked PA if he used lidocaine. She said no - that no anesthesia or pain killer was needed because the nerves were still blocked or damaged or whatever from surgery and / or radiation.

She thinks he got about 200 cc of liquid out. That is 3/4 cup! He said that since I waited a while to get it drained, it was less likely to come back. If it does come back, he recommends still waiting at least a month before draining again.

Lucy55

Dorothy ..I have the seroma too ..I'm hoping my doctor drains it tomorrow...is yours coming back after having it done ?

Yogatyme

I had BMX 8/13/19 and I had a Seroma after my drains were pulled out. I applied moist hot compresses to it for 15 min several times a day and it finally resolved after about 2 weeks. I also made sure the compression was good w the surgical bra and gauze. The pinching feeling lasted about another 2 weeks and now only feel it on occasion.

DorothyB

Lucy, I'm not sure if a teeny bit is back, but for the most part my breast is still much smaller and floppier than it was pre-draining So far, I'm good w/ the status of it.

Iamloved

I developed a seroma about 5 days after surgery. The doctors wanted to surgically remove it. I opted to see my massage therapist who specializes in myofascial release. I did 3 sessions with her and it was gone. Just an option for you.

ctmbsikia

Thanks.

I realize they are common after surgery, but this one happened well after and is hanging around way too long. I guess I'll see what they think after next mammo and MRI are done.