Rib cage enlarged

Options
lou23
lou23 Member Posts: 182
edited July 2015 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

After having masectomy only on the left side, central lymph nodes removed, I have found my rib cage to be enlarged it is quite prominent, I had surgery about 7 weeks ago, I have had no further treatment. Has this happened to anyone else? Would any one know why?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Bounce
    Bounce Member Posts: 574
    edited June 2015

    lou23 - could this be swelling or lymphedema?

    Do you have any other symptoms (pain)?


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lou23
    lou23 Member Posts: 182
    edited June 2015

    Hi Bounce thank you for your reply, no I am in no pain just very obviously swollen rib cage.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2015

    Truncal lymphedema?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited June 2015

    When I look down, my lower ribs appear more prominent below my UMX when I do not have my pros on. There is no swelling/edema - just appears more prominent.

    My understanding is that it isn't 'changed' - same as always was - but with all the tissue removed in the MX, the upper rib cage appears a bit concaved giving the 'look' of lower being more prominent.

    If it is swelling/edema, then truncal lymphedema is a possibility.

    Have you seen a LymphEdema Therapist yet? If not, it would be a good idea to request an appt. with one for a baseline evaluation and education. An LET will be either a PT or an OT (my LET guy is and OT) but not all PTs or OTs are LETs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kamm
    kamm Member Posts: 140
    edited June 2015

    You know it's funny. That also happened to me. I noticed my left side appeared more prominent then my right side. I used to look at it all of the time after surgery and think maybe it was always like that and I just didn't notice but I know it wasn't. I never did mention it to the PS. It's still remains that way. No swelling. Just more prominent. Wondered at the time if it was caused by the weight of the implant but my implants are small. 325's. It's interesting though. It's def not lymphedema in my case because it's on my non-cancer side and I don't have alot of body fat there. It's very obviously the ribcage itself. Clearly in my case not something that can be fixed just interesting to me that someone else has had that experience.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lou23
    lou23 Member Posts: 182
    edited June 2015

    I have been to the breast unit this morning and they say its fluid, seroma. They say it's unusual to travel right down the rib cage but has been known. I hope it clears up soon as it is quite prominent even with my clothes on. I think it shows up worse like for you Kamm been slim.

    Thank you for responding.

    Lou.


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kamm
    kamm Member Posts: 140
    edited June 2015

    Good! Hopefully it will resolve then!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lou23
    lou23 Member Posts: 182
    edited June 2015

    Well the good news is, the seroma has almost gone, but my rib cage is still enlarged and now I have a big lump in my arm pit that is painful when touched. I have felt very poorly the last few days aching all over and so fatigued. Any ideas?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • inks
    inks Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2015

    Time to see your doctor. You can see your primary care doctor for the fatigue and overall lousy feeling. You should feel close to OK since you are almost 2 months past your surgery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lou23
    lou23 Member Posts: 182
    edited July 2015

    Thanks inks, I took your.advise, I am on antibiotics now and next week having underarm ultra sound and a chest ct scan. Fingers crossed just infections.

    Lou.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lou23
    lou23 Member Posts: 182
    edited July 2015

    Hi, for any one with simular symptoms, my diagnosis was, a blood clot in artery in arm pit, and fluid in the lung. All sorted now and I am feeling loads better.Both put down to post op.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories