Fluid buildup after mastectomy

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.

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...

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.

M:  we are replying at the same time !   LOL!

I went through this phase and it was pure Hades! Glad it is over and done!

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.