Hematoma, Incision not healing well after lumpectomy

autiger92 · January 2011

I had an excisional biopsy (proved to be benign complex sclerosing lesion) on Dec. 9. The mass removed was relatively large--approx 5cm x 4.5cm x 4cm. About 5 days after surgery I started getting VERY uncomfortable. When I went in for my post op on day 7, the surgeon said I had a hematoma. She told me to use a heating pad RELIGOUSLY for 2 months and then come back. She also said that I should see some improvement in 2 weeks. No time for questions--she was in a hurry--as usual.

It is now well past the 2 week mark, and I see no improvement at all. I'm still taking Lortab occasionally to deal w/ the pain. Pretty much any move I make is somewhat painful--driving, walking, housework, etc. The hardness feels like it's the size of a tennis ball cut in half, maybe a little larger than that??? On top of that I can tell that there is fluid moving around in there--not painful, just lots of pressure when it moves around. I especially feel it when I lay down or bend over. Here's one other thing that is making me really anxious: At my post op visit, the surgeon covered the entire incision w/ steri-strips--lengthwise. I can tell that it's still oozing under the strips a little even after 3 wks. The very tip end of the incision is visible where the steri strip is peeling up, and it appears that it is not closing up. Is that acceptable? What if it needs to drain, but the steri-strips are sealing it up? It just seeems like I would feel so much better if it could drain! I've had 3 c-sections, and never experienced anything like this. I had the expected pain, of course, w/ the c-sec, but my incision always healed up within days. This incision is way more painful now than 2 or 3 days post op. I know I probably sound whiny and wimpy, lol! And really-- it's manageable. I am so grateful for the benign result, but I'm anxious about the healing process. This is all uncharted territory for me. If anyone else has had a similar experience I would really appreciate hearing from you.

I have called twice to speak to a nurse at the surgeon's office, but no one has ever returned my call. I suppose it's because it's the holidays.

AnneW · January 2011

It sounds to me like you need another visit with your surgeon. You have a seroma or hematoma that needs to be drained before your wound opens up. You'll be in a heck of a mess with worst case scenario being a would vac and meds for infection.

Heat is good, but if it hasn't made a difference by now, it won't. She said you'd see an improvement in 2 weeks. That time period has passed and it's no better and possibly worse. It's time to make an appointment to have it checked. Don't let her get away with rushing in and out because she's "busy". You are paying her. Take someone assertive with you if you need to.

Call tomorrow and get an appointment. Pass the nurse-chat. If you don't get in, you'll end up in the ER.

Anne

changes · January 2011

Hi,

I had a lumpectomy and my surgeon does not use drains, because it results in a better cosmetic look if the body just re-absorbs the fluid. My surgeon told me to expect a hematoma after surgery and to expect it would take awhile for it to go down and the discomfort to go away. I would say it was about a month, and maybe a bit longer (it was a very gradual process, but it was definitely uncomfortable for the first month). I have to say, the wound healed beautifully and if it wasn't for the scar you would not know I had a golf-ball sized chunk removed from my breast.

However, your incision should not be opening up. You need to call your doctor and get that looked at.

Best wishes,

Karen

autiger92 · January 2011

Thank you both for replying. I really appreciate hearing your perspectives on this. Infection is definitely one of my fears--I finished my second round of Cipro at Christmas. I will call first thing Monday morning get an appt to be seen. Karen, it's very encouraging that you healed up so well. My surgeon did something to pull the tissue together to preserve the contour of my breast, so hopefully I'll have good results as well.

My husband still has a hematoma where he cracked two ribs last June (fell in the shower), and it's really not that much smaller. I'm still holding out some hope that the heating pad will help. (He never tried that.) I really don't want more surgery. I don't smoke or have diabetes--there is nothing about my health that should delay my wound healing, so this is really puzzling to me.

I thought this would be a walk in the park compared to the c-sections!

spendygirl · January 2011

Hi - sorry you're having so much trouble. I know exactly how you feel. About two weeks after my wide excision, I developed a very painful hematoma. Of course, I had no idea what it was, went to the surgeon, he immediately brought in an ultrasound machine and drained 180 ccs of blood. It wasn't pleasant, but felt much better afterward. It did fill again over the next few weeks and was drained a second time.

Please keep calling and try to be seen ASAP, especially with your incision weeping. Best of luck to you.

Maureen813 · January 2011

I had a lumpectomy larger than indicated in your post and didn't experience those issues. I had the BS look at the incision 3 weeks later because it sounded like fluid but no weeping or real pain,,,,a fleeting pain here and there but movement induced pain warrants a call tomorrow. Glad for the B9 great news, now onto healing

autiger92 · January 2011

Thanks for the replies--really appreciate y'all. I called the surgeon's office yesterday, and I am going in Friday morning.

cutiegirl · June 2012

Why do Hemontomia hurt so bad

cutiegirl · June 2012

This cute again

Has any one had a Hematoma after surgery ? why are so painful

cutiegirl · June 2012

pain from hematoma

cutiegirl · June 2012

Hello all, Has any one had a hematoma and a bacteria infection in there breast after surgery? I am on antibiotics and had to have some spots lanceted on my breast so the infection will drain out .

Thank Karen Flodin

kira1234 · June 2012

Karen I also had a hematoma that opened. I went through several rounds of antibiotics, but eventually they had to put me in the hopital to give IV antibiotics. Keep a close eye on it. If you run a temp be sure to cal your BS. In my case a drain was placed eventually to allow it to drain . It's been almost 2 years and I'm doing fine now. Smile

cutiegirl · June 2012

thank you for answering kira . I will keep a close eye on my hematoma!!! I wish my Dr would put a drain in mine . i think i will ask about on my next visit to the Dr this week

thanks again Karen

Belinda977 · June 2012

Karen, I have one too. They tried to drain mine but they could not. Hang in there. Mine it just starting to resolve. I am so much more comfortable without the extreme pressure that I has feeling before the incision opened. Back to the surgeon for a check tomorrow. My husband has scared me now telling thinking they may want to close it up. At this point, I hope not.

Belinda977 · June 2012

Just had my hematoma cleaned out and packed. Thankfully, it did not hurt. Next stop a Wound Center to help it heal quicker. I am going to see if they will start the tamoxifen to since I have to wait unit the wound heals to start radiation.

cutiegirl · June 2012

how is everyone doing ? whit there cancer treatments

Belinda977 · June 2012

Hi Karen. Still dealing with trying to get the incision to heal. Connect to a wound vac as i speak. RO was opening to the mapping/tattoos first week of July. Don't think I will be healed yet. So..trying to be patient.

cutiegirl · June 2012

I have another infection at my surgery incision that is still open Cry

Has anyone else had this problem since your surgery ?

Karen

bekkij1016 · June 2012

I had my lumpectomy March 20th. I, too developed a hematoma on about day7...my surgeon doesn't use drains in order maintain breast contour. On day 7 a stitch popped and I leaked a dark, reddish brown fluid for 15 days...enough that I had to wear a maxi pad in my surgical bra! He did use a syringe to drain some but I opted to let the rest drain on it's own. I never develped any infection and the small opening healed closed after the drainage stopped.

I would be very concerned about a surgeons office that doesn't return calls! This might be routine to them but not to you!

Belinda977 · June 2012

Bekkij1016, I used a maxi pad too!!! (until it came all the way open). They could not pull much out with syringe. Mine was very large and caused tunneling so I believe that's why it popped up. One week on the wound vac today. Hoping this thing is healed in the next two weeks. The drainage has slowed significantly. The clots are still disolving and the doc goes in an checks each visit. Cutiegirl, no infection for me (yet). Are you on an antibiotic?

cutiegirl · June 2012

This is Cutiegirl

yes I am antibiotic and am going to call the Dr office Monday because i have pocket of pus near my nipple !!! Cry

Karen

serenamuse · September 2013

I'm at week five after an excisional biopsy. Last week my incision started to leak yellow fluid - soaked my sports bra over night. Of course when I called the surgeon everyone had left the office for the long weekend so ended up waiting two days to see what would happen. the incision just got more red and angry and the clear fluid started changing to pink and pus. I went to urgent care and the doctor was very concerned as he said it was unusual to have an infection so far out. He gave me a shot in the behind and prescription for antibiotics. I was able to see the surgeon two days later. She two thought it odd to have ifection so far out. Well, the labs came back negative - no bacterial infection. The ultrasound did not show any seroma or hematoma. In the mean time, they have kept me on the Bactrim and told me to clean with sailine three times a day and put antibiotic ointment on at night. The drainage has slowed down but now I have little balls of raw tissue sticking up from spots where the incsision had zig zags. the sutures are poicking up as well. I look at it and get light headed. Anyone have anything similar? I cant seem to get it to dry up. I've spent three days at home with my breast exposed to the air and still it is wet and angry. I'm really frustrated! Their diagonosis was "you are unlucky". I"m sorry, that does not fly with me!

Belinda977 · September 2013

Seranamuse, call your surgeon again. I was seen at least once a week when my incision came open (it opened up completely 3 weeks out). Just have them check the raw skin to make sure that is OK. There is really not much they can do when this happens.

mansi231282 · June 2015

I am really frustrated as my heamatoma is still leaking from the incision site. Firstly it was 100 cc aspirated twice then 50 cc twice then later it reduced till 30 cc trice and still leaking in between.

Can anybody tell me how long it takes to heal.

Belinda977 · June 2015

They told me it can take a while.....

Randi1035 · February 2016

Hi

I hope this topic is still active. I had a lumpectomy on Thursday. Today is Monday and I had the post op check up. Dr seemed horrified by the hematoma that developed near the surgical site. He tried to aspirate it but the blood was too thick. What does this mean?

I have to go back (to NYC) next Monday for follow up. Problem is I live in Florida. Should I have it drained here or stick with this surgeon. He is at the number 1 Cancer Center in the US. I do like him so much. It's just getting so expensive.

Belinda977 · March 2016

They tried to aspirate mine but it was not possible. My incision ended up opening. Hope you are doing ok

Hematoma, Incision not healing well after lumpectomy

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