Fluid buildup after mastectomy
Hi, I have developed some fluid build up in my chest after my mastectomy to remove my remaining breast. The Dr. said it should go away on its own in a couple weeks. Has anyone else had this happen and how did they deal with it?
Comments
-
I had this. I am assuming what you have is a seroma. Twice the surgeon had to stick a needle in to drain the fluid as it was uncomfortable (couldn't feel the needle at all as I was numb from the surgery). Eventually less fluid built up and it was absorbed.
-
I had the same thing. About 2 weeks post-op, doc looked at it and said he might have to drain the following week. When I came back the following week, it had gone away by itself.
Do some gentle, gentle, gentle stretches with your arms. Not above the shoulder/head, but simply holding your arms in front of you, for example, then bringing your fists towards your chest. Make a fist and open it several times. That kind of thing.
Stay hydrated. Water, water, water, go easy on caffeinated and sugary drinks.
Walk. Again, nothing heroic or extreme, but take a small shuffle every 20-30 minutes. Go for a proper walk outside if you feel up to it.
-
I too, had a seroma a couple of weeks after Mx. It was like a wave across my chest under the incision. I had it drained once. No pain or problem. It did fill up again, a little but it then went away on its own.
I did pretty much what Momine is suggesting. Lots of plain water, and a bit of movement and light exercise.
Don't worry about it too much. it is very common, and many specialists let the body absorb it without intervening.
Take care, and I wish you a speedy recovery.
-
Mine literally sloshes and gurgles if I move a certain way. It is so disturbing! Hope it goes away soon!
-
I've just developed that fluid collecting on the side that had the cancer, but with quite bad pain. Since the fluid buildup wasn't that noticeable before Saturday AM (or the Vicodin I was on for other pain made me too spacey to notice it until then), I've not contacted the doctor yet. Today my pain increased a lot and I was planning on calling tomorrow anyway, but I thought I'd come here tonight and look to see if it's happened to anyone else.
Glad to learn that it's not serious, but I do wonder why mine is so awfully painful? I'm nearly 4 weeks out from my bilateral mastectomy (nipple/skin-sparing) and still in a lot of pain from where the drains were and the outer edges of the nasty tissue expanders. Can't wear even the softest of bras or the pain goes through the roof and still can't go without pain meds. It's getting very depressing... -
Or not. My plastic surgeon finally seems to "get it" that I've got pain that needs to be managed and saw me a day early. That part was good, but the rest, not so much. Turns out that what I thought was a fluid accumulation was just the saline in my TE flowing. He removed most of it, but says he's mystified about the fact that that side (right, the cancer side) has enlarged so much. When I first left the hospital, it was so flat that it almost looked concave! Yesterday before he removed the saline, it was at least as full as the left side--total mystery.
But no sign of infection and, even after a lengthy ultrasound and a consultation with a breast surgeon, no sign of anything else that could be causing so much pain. As long as I was upright, it felt as though I was being knifed near the outer edge of the incision. When I lie down, though, the pain goes away.
So he decided to try a muscle relaxant (valium, but I had to switch to flexeril, since the valium nearly knocked me out) and 600mg ibuprofen to see if the very tender tissues would heal better. And, just to be sure an infection wasn't hiding somewhere, I'm on Amoxicilin. No more Vicodin, which didn't do much and also really upset my tummy. And I feel better today, though the flexeril has had a mild zombie effect that's keeping me from getting things done today.
Discouraged that there wasn't a simple fix, but I'm only 4 weeks out and am hoping that I can adjust to this drug combination fast, since there's a science fiction convention this coming weekend and I'm going come hell or high water. Got a lidocaine spray to desensitize my skin enough to be able to wear a Genie bra and will be rooming with an old friend who's very supportive. She's had serious health challenges too and is very down-to-earth and encouraging.
Also wanted to say that just having my formerly oblivious/uncommunicative plastic surgeon actually listen to me and spend close to an hour trying to solve the puzzle of my pain has done a lot for my outlook. I was feeling ignored and beginning to really stress from that, as well as from the actual pain. I wish doctors were trained better about how much damage a dismissive attitude can do to a vulnerable surgical patient... -
yes I have Serona now since my drains came out on my left side. Dr. says it will take a long x for the body to absorb it. Very annoying since it feels like there is an elastic band around my left breast. She can't aspirate because of a blood clot I got from a nurse that inserted an IV in my tissue instead of my vein. I wish I knew of a way to speed the process up. No one told me of any and I've searched the internet with no answers. Disgusted to say the least
-
Hi Mariajoe, Welcome, I see you're new here! This is a great place to come for support and advice. There will always be someone around who can relate to what is happening with you.
I just wanted to let you know this is a thread that hasn't been active for almost a year, but Seromas are very common. I had one, had it drained once and then it re filled itself and took some months to disappear. Some wear compression tops, but although mine sloshed a bit and made a wave like a waterbed, I actually got used to it and it didn't bother me. Then I noticed it was gone. I know this stuff can be disturbing at first, but it will settle. I just kept doing the PT exercises 4x a day and massaged the incision and the muscles on my chest so I would get full range of motion and that helped with the tight feeling too.
I wish you all the very best for a speedy recovery.
-
i would call your doctor back and ask: would compression help? what about heat?The nurse tried to start IV in your arm,, and it went into your tissue instead?? in your chest or your arm?? These seems very strange to me. I had a seroma and he just stuck in a needle and sucked it out,,, so that just seems weird.
But I would ask about compression and heat. Best of luck to you.
-
M: we are replying at the same time ! LOL! -
Hey Glennie, posting at the same time! M x
-
I went through this phase and it was pure Hades! Glad it is over and done!
-
Two weeks ago I had BMX with no Recon. Monday Y got my drains out that was such a blessing. Left side has continued to drain. Doc said I had slight Infection on left side put me on strong antibiotics. And have wrap. It sloshes around like a water pocket but doesn't seem to go away. The wrapping only discomforts me doent help with the swelling. Anyone else had similar? Any ideas?
-
Shelly, you could try a front closing compression/minimizing sports bra if that would cover the area that needs compression. When I was recovering I used this: http://www.underworks.com/power-compression-post-s...
It worked really well and was comfortable to wear (a lot more comfortable than the wrap around things they give you anyway); you can roll it up on itself for extra compression as well.
Seromas, if they're going to be reabsorbed, can take a few weeks for that to happen; if yours continues to stay the same size or get bigger, your doctor may have to needle aspirate it.
-
Thanks Ravzari for the info. I have taken a round of antibiotics and the swelling has sort of went down. The drain holes closed and then the swelling caused my incision to bust open and make its own drain. I have to change the pad and wrap like 4 times a day. I have milky like blood coming out and quite a few really dark red blood clots coming out. The whole still hasn't closed, and its been about a week. I go back to see my surgeon 8-10-17. I just hope she will stitch me back up. The wrap is sssooo uncomfortable.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team