Fluid Build-Up After Drains Removed

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ThereIsHope
ThereIsHope Member Posts: 62
edited June 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I had my drains removed two weeks after my mastectomy which was on 1/5/10..  As long as I can handle it, I'm just letting the fluid build up and waiting for it to re-absorb back into my body.  It isn't at all painful, but just sloshy and puffy and weird feeling.  Anyone got any idea as to how long this will take to go away?  A small inconvenience to have, but just anxious to feel "normal" again.  No reconstructive surgery for me... and it was a bilateral mx.  Feels like my boobies are coming back!  LOL  Thanks for any input y'all may provide.  Karen

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  • Lovegolf
    Lovegolf Member Posts: 513
    edited February 2010

    I had fluid build up on one side after drains removed.  The BS drained with a needle about every two weeks for 6-8weeks.  Then it quit.  It might help if you keep your chest wrapped with a large ace or something like that...I too had bilateral MX with no reconstruction on 5/1/09.  I had a PS go back in 10/28 to take out extra skin and "fix" the tight feeling in my chest.  I felt like a hot wire was pulled across my chest.  Now I feel great. 

    The doctor can ultrasound the area with the fluid and if needed go in with needle.  It does not hurt.

    Hope this helped.  If you have any other questions, just let me know.

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited February 2010

    If there's not too much fluid and it's not painful, many surgeons feel it's better to just let it reabsorb on its own (aspiration carries a small risk of infection). I had small fluid "pouches" on both sides after my drains were removed following a bilateral mastectomy. One side had been radiated. The other side resolved after four weeks. The radiated side took six months (!) but finally resolved without aspiration. It never caused me any problem.

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  • ThereIsHope
    ThereIsHope Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2010

    LoveGolf and Erica...Thanks to both of you for your input.  The BS felt that if I could tolerate it, it would be best to give it a chance to re-absorb.  I'm planning on just putting up with this minor discomfort since I know it could be much worse.  I appreciate your information and now expect it will take a few more weeks to resolve.  Hugs to you both from cold and wintry OHIO.

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  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited February 2010

    If there is too much fluid build up.  It could make your Incision re open.

    has your BS seen the fluid build up- Or just going by your comfort level & talking to you over the phone?

    I would keep a close eye on it.

    Hopefully it will absorb on its own.

    Pam

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  • ThereIsHope
    ThereIsHope Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2010

    DeJaBoo... My BS saw it this past Friday.  He said it still looked good and if I could, just to see if it continues to build at a slower rate as time goes by. My left armpit is a lot more full since that is where the nodes were removed.  I had a false positive on my sentinel lymph node at surgery.  That is why I had several more nodes removed. It is difficult for me to tell how much it is filling up since it flows back and forth on both sides (TMI), but I see him again in two weeks.  Yes, I hope it resolves on its own.  Although I'm sure it wouldn't hurt that much to be drained, I must admit that I'm ready to have a break in the needle action for a while.  Thanks!  Karen

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  • chainsawz
    chainsawz Member Posts: 3,473
    edited February 2010

    I had fluid build up and had it drained twice because it was uncomfortable....when it wasn't so bad, I left the fluid so it could be reabsorbed by my body and after 2 months it did :>  

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  • llm822
    llm822 Member Posts: 77
    edited February 2010

    I'm in a similar situation.  I had my last drain removed on Thursday and now there is a pouch of fluid on that side.  Is there anything I can do to help the resolve the issue?  I'll be seeing the doctor on Wednesday, but in the meantime I figured I'd ask here.  Thanks!

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  • ladyclark
    ladyclark Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2013

    I had a bi lateral mastectomy in December 2012, followed by 33 sessions of radiation and now I await to have reconstruction surgery. I am dealing with fluid that is behind both armpits and soreness in the area where radiation was done. How long does the fluid last and the soreness before it moves away.

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  • Kharris625
    Kharris625 Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2014

    I had bilateral MX 5 weeks ago. After two weeks the tubes were filling 30 a 40 cc per day so PS removed them. Three days later my breasts filled up with 120 cc and it was painful. Went to the PS three times to have them drained. Ended up back in surgery to have tubes reinserted. It's been 15 days and I'm still producing 70 cc per day. PS referred me to an infectious diseases doctor to check for bacteria which was positive. Have been n antibiotics for 5 weeks. Will this ever end?

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  • amarantha
    amarantha Member Posts: 457
    edited May 2014

    HI Kharris, that sounds like a lot of fluid after a long time. I hope you're feeling better by now. I had surgery last Tuesday, was sent home without drains, but was told I'd be needing to have the site drained every four days or so - now the ex-breast is filling with fluid. Will go on Monday to have it drained. Does it hurt ?

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited May 2014

    Hi Amarantha, I had a Seroma that had to be drained after my Mx. I didn't feel a thing! I hope all goes well for you.

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  • laurie2025
    laurie2025 Member Posts: 117
    edited May 2014

    lady - I had a mastectomy and then 33 rounds of radiation as well.  I will be getting reconstruction in October.  I have some lymphedema in my left arm and I get fluid build up below the left underarm.  I am still very sore.  It comes and goes, and that's since August of 2013.  I hope it goes better for you.

    I have a lot of cording and scar tissue which my surgeon will be dealing with - October seems like forever from now. 

    Good luck!! 

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  • nanette7fl
    nanette7fl Member Posts: 469
    edited June 2019

    I know this is not an active board but here's to helping someone out there. My breasts (following bmx & revision for infections) began to slowly fill with fluid. I wasn't too worried about it until it interfered with my Radiation positioning. My PS drained my left breast in his office because the swelling was causing my scar to open up. He got out about 4 cups of fluid. Yesterday I had the right side surgically drained and drains once again put back in. None of my team of Doctors has a clue as to why this happened only that in some cases it does. Yes it would have been wonderful if my body could have reabsorbed the fluid but it couldn't. One thought I had was that because I had developed lymphedema in my left arm from the removal of 14 lymph nodes was the cause of the left side filling. My point is that yes it would be great to just wait and see if it will reabsorb, but more than likely it's going to have to be drained one way or another. ANY redness, hot or feverish skin should be treated immediately.Just my thoughts.

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