Sentinel Node Biopsy Swelling

Fe, I am sorry for your diagnosis and that you are going thru this. I would expect the swelling you are having is from fluid, the building up of lymph fluid after having the sentinal nodes removed. The sentinel node (ladies, correct me if I say this wrong) Is part of a progression of nodes that flow like a chain in our lymph system, carrying fluid, and also cancer with it, thru our bodies. The lymph system is like a chain, and when we have lymph nodes taken out, we are breaking the chain, and our bodies have to adapt by rerouting. Sometimes the rerouting of fluid gets sluggish or even plugged up, and we swell up in these areas. It is extremely important that you are aware and do what you can to help the flow of fluid get going again, so please report this swelling to the nurse or doctor. Lymphedema can become a serious issue, and become chronic. But it also can be managed with some simple steps, like massage, and garments. All of us who have node removal and any surgery can develop lymphedema.

And CONGRATULATIONS on the negative path report!

It sounds to me like you are doing great but please do talk to your team about the swelling, but dont be afraid! Sounds like you are on a journey of recovery!

Hi FePrincess, Sorry I can't help you more, but I had my SNB tracer done the morning of my Mx, just a few hours before surgery and the node removal was done, when I was anesthetised. I went home the following morning and I felt like I had a tennis ball, under my arm. It was uncomfortable, sore and numb, all at the same time, but I just put it down to the nature of the whole Umx surgery experience.

I did get a seroma a couple of weeks after surgery, which was drained once, but it did fill up again. My Surgeon didn't want to drain it again, so we let my body deal with it. It took a while, but it disappeared on its own.

In saying that, I am 2 years out and I still have a lump under that arm, which the Surgeon tells me is just flesh that would have been pulled forward and down, by the weight of the breast. It doesn't bother me at all. I know that's not what you're experiencing at the moment, I just mentioned it in case you find you have a lump there, after the surgery.

I wish I could help more. Take it easy and all the best!

I had some serious swelling with my SNB that was performed during my MX. Then I added a seroma on top of that. The seroma blew out the front of my incision (thank goodness, but that's another story), and that helped the swelling go down. It's taken a month for all the swelling to go down and the mobility to start to return. You can always ice it (15 mins on/15 mins off) and do soft pressure. Both helped me. Another thing that helped was sleeping with a rolled up towel under my arm for support.

I hope you are able to go ahead with surgery. We all want to get this behind us. I do have a question as to why you had the SN biopsy before surgery. I was told I will have this when I have my BMX on April 10.