How to know if fluid should be drained via needle?

CeciliaVera
CeciliaVera Member Posts: 59
edited October 2014 in Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Hello!  I'm about 3.5 weeks past my BMX.  Most aspects of the recovery seem to be going well, but I do have some sporadic swelling, mostly under my arms and on my back.  It seems more noticeable in the evening.  I did call the dr's office early this week, but based on my conversation with the nurse, I did not go in for them to check it out.  Now, though, I am unhappy with how it looks in the back--like major bra bulge, which I did not have before.  How do I know if I should go in and get it drained?  Is this "dog ears"?  Is it going to stay like this?  Thanks for any thoughts/help.

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

    Hi CeceliaVera, you say "sporadic  swelling" so it isn't there all the time? I had a Umx and had both a seroma that I had drained and a "Dog Ear", which I had removed over a year after my surgery.

    The seroma, for me was like a wave under my incision line. I could tap it at one end and it would undulate like a wave across to the other side. The Dog Ear was under my arm and my surgeon explained it was the flesh that was pulled forward by the weight of the breast. When the breast was removed and the surgeon had to finish the incision line, it kind of sits back, mine was like a shelf, that my arm would irritate. It also had cut nerves in it that zapped and zinged a lot. I decided to wait and see if the feeling settled down with time, but it stayed the same. so I had it removed. It was the best thing I ever did. If you aren't sure about what these Dog Ears look like, you can see some pics on Breastfree.org

    I am sorry I can't be sure what is causing your swelling, did you have any nodes removed? It could be worth checking out the possibility of LE, is your arm affected?

    I would have it checked out, just for your own peace of mind. If it is a seroma, it doesn't necessarily need to be drained, they can and do reabsorb. It can take a while to disappear. I had mine drained once, but it filled again and I just left it till it went away on its own.  

    There may be others with more experience who will come along and give you more information than I can. I wish you all the best.

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  • kareenie
    kareenie Member Posts: 339
    edited October 2014

    Hi CeceliaVera you can definitely have truncal lymphedema without any arm involvement. If it is lymphedema it can not be treated by draining with a needle but only by a specially trained LE therapist with special massage and compression garments. I don't have truncal LE myself but if you pop in at LE forum there are plenty of gals who can advise you. Also google "step up speak out" for accurate info on truncal LE. Doctors dont always know much about it but can refer you for therapy.

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  • CeciliaVera
    CeciliaVera Member Posts: 59
    edited October 2014

    Thanks for these replies and information.  I had two lymph nodes out on the right side, but the swelling seems to be fairly uniform on both sides.  Not sure if that is characteristic of LE.  I developed seromas both times I had biopsies, so that could be what it is if I have that tendency.  Based on your input, I am going to call the dr again tomorrow.  Thanks!

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

    That's a wise decision CeliaVera. It is likely not going to be an issue, but it's always better to see what your Doctor thinks. Good Luck with it, let us know how you get on.

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