Post op lumpectomy fluid build up with no SNB

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luv2knit
luv2knit Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Had a lumpectomy 3 weeks ago for dcis medium grade. Fluid built up and made everything very sore. Now I'm due for a post op mammogram. Any suggestions to help eliminate the fluid?

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  • Jomama2
    Jomama2 Member Posts: 96
    edited October 2012

    I DID have a SNB, so this may or may not help...really just wanting to bump it up so you get an answer from someone who's been there. BUT, my son is a physical therapist and what he told me actually relieved the lymph build-up in my armpit.  He had me hold my arm out straight and squeeze a tennis ball while using my other arm to tap on my chest near my left breast.  He says this signals the lymph to drain.  All I know is that it helped. Hope you get relief soon!

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited October 2012

    Deep breathing will also help lymph drainage. How great to have a PT in one's family! Perhaps luv2knit should ask for a referral and get a consult prior to the mammogram. Gentle massage may be of value but needs to be done properly.

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  • JustJude
    JustJude Member Posts: 7
    edited October 2012

    I just had mine done in August. Did you have any drains? I did not. I ended up with fluid under my arm that they drained by needle aspiration - TWICE! The first time they took 70cc of fluid out (for a graphic - THREE 6inch test tubes that are 1inch in diameter full). The second time it was only 25cc. It's been weeks since the last draining and looks like I won't need any more done - thank heavens!

    Do your exercises for your arm - DO NOT skip them! Hugs to you!

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited October 2012

    I called my surgeon the day after my lumpectomy and asked about exercising. He told me it was ok, but never told me what kind! So I got some information from one of the ladies on this site. Maybe you can find it under my posts. 

    As I remember, it was mainly stretching my arms out to the sides.  But maybe you should call the surgeon's office and ask them.

    PS I never had the fluid build-up and think it was because of the exercises.

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  • patti3796
    patti3796 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2012

    I had major fluid buildup....the surgeon ended up draining over 200cc of fluid....what a relief...did not even feel the needle. I would suggest calling the surgeon...as based on how much fluid there is it could distort the mammogram

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