Sentinel Node Biopsy Experience?

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kellyrs
kellyrs Member Posts: 21
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I am wondering what people who've had a sentinel node biopsy have experienced post-op. Mine was only day surgery and I'm a week out. The dressing was removed today and the incision itself is small, but the bruising is extensive, my breast is sagging with extra weight it seems, and there is a lump around the incision that feels like an air pocket under my arm. I can't put my arm down by my side yet. Is this normal??

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  • mom_of_2
    mom_of_2 Member Posts: 347
    edited January 2010

    For me SNB was far worse than mastectomy. I developed a seroma (pocket filled with fluid) under my arm and couldn't put arm down either. Breast was swollen with fluid as well and was heavy and achy. If your symptoms continue I'd check with surgeon to make sure there isn't any fluid that needs to be drained.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2011

    delete

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  • kellyrs
    kellyrs Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2010

    Thanks both of you. I'm going to contact my breast care nurse today and see what she says. I love the idea of sheepskin and cornstarch - it sounds so nurturing.

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  • Suzanne3131
    Suzanne3131 Member Posts: 3,953
    edited January 2010

    SNB was definitely the worst part of my surgery too.  I felt like I had a tennis ball under my arm for maybe even a couple of weeks.  I showed it to my BS and he said it was pretty normal, but offered to drain the fluid for me.  I declined, because I had had just about enough of him cutting on me!  It did get better ever so gradually.  I did gentle stretching and gentle arm circles a couple of times a day, which did help.  I think wearing sports bras made it worse.  

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  • kellyrs
    kellyrs Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2010

    Suzanne, it turns out that here (in UK) they would do the same thing and for some reason I find that reassuring; I rang the breast care nurse and she said they would leave it alone, unless it was about the size of a cricket ball (I guess that fits your tennis ball description...) Right now I'd say mine is a ping pong ball! I think you might be right on the sports bra front - they told me to buy really well fitting bras but when you're swollen they feel too small and tight. I can't bring myself to wear the sports bra I bought for this. I bought about 5 or 6 bras with this in mind, but only one of them really supports me and is super comfy. It will be grey by the time this is over!

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