Wondering about flying for the holidays

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Early60s
Early60s Member Posts: 13
edited January 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hi. I had a lumpectomy and Intrabeam two weeks ago and had a resultant seroma aspirated last week, maybe about 60 cc or so. The seroma refilled within a day, although not as much volume as previously. Compression seems to help, and the seroma is much smaller. I can't even consider using heat to reduce its size as some suggest, because the seroma is directly under the 2-inch incision and I am a wimp!

The incision and seroma are sore, but I'm trying to figure out what they'll be like around the holidays. Has anyone flown with a seroma? If so, was it badly behaved or benign? (My flight would be around 6.5 hours, plus a 1-2 hour layover.)

I will also be starting either tamoxifen or an aromatese inhibitor right after Thanksgiving. That means I'll have been taking it for around four weeks by the time I would fly. I know some people get nauseous and some people get leg/bone cramps. And some people don't

I just don't know whether flying is advisable or not with a seroma (which I anticipate may be smaller but not gone) and the new medicine.

What do you guys think? Total wimp city on my part, or reasonable concerns? I can't tell!!!

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! :)

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  • Sunflowercat
    Sunflowercat Member Posts: 177
    edited November 2014

    I can't answer all your questions, but can relate to the seroma. I had one drained several times and it went away in under a month. Hopefully it should resolve itself by the time you fly. Check with your surgeon to see if it might pose any issues.

    I haven't had many problems with leg cramps on Tamoxifen (been on it just over 2 months), just when I'm working out and doing a lot of foot flexing (yoga & pilates). I take a B complex and magnesium daily to help combat the side effects and really they are minimal for me. The occasional mild foot cramp or hot flash. Nothing to write home about. One thing I want to mention to you - I was told to stop taking Tamoxifen 5 days before air travel or long car rides, because of the clotting risk. Again, this is something you'll want to discuss with you MO. I don't know if that risk is the same on an AI.

    I hope your seroma goes away soon.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2014

    Just wanted to chime in with my wishes for a rapid resolution of your seroma. I have a nice hematoma going right now (2nd one since early Sept.) and am flying on Monday, half way around the world. I have been using a heating pad on it the past couple of days and it feels pretty good, but that's just me.

    I take Femara (without any issues, I will add) and have not been advised of any need to discontinue prior to travel. Check with your surgeon and/or MO.

    With luck your seroma will finally resolve and that, at least, will be a moot point.

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  • Early60s
    Early60s Member Posts: 13
    edited November 2014

    Thanks very much for conveying your experiences, Sunflowercat and Hopeful 82014, I appreciate it!


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  • Early60s
    Early60s Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2015

    Happy new year, everyone! I did go ahead and fly over the holidays, and all went well. My seroma is now turning into a hard lump rather than fluid, which is a bit disappointing, but flying was just fine.

    Thanks to all who responded. :)

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