How long does breast swelling last after lumpectomy?

My surgeon told me weeks to months, but my surgery was only two weeks ago.  I think we need to hear from women whose surgery was a year or so ago.

My swelling went down after 6 weeks - he did take a large amount out 6.1 cm x 5.2 cm x 3.1 cm and I am only a B cup.  Like you I loved the look of my swollen breast and the fact that my nipple was up where it should be but you know gravity, you get to be my age and they aren't perky.

The perkiness and swelling went down but then off to rads and I got it back.  It was then I decided that when this is all over next year I am going to get a lift and some implants because I want that swollen perky boob back for good on both sides!

Hi Crunchy -- happy to see you're doing well, all things considered.  Just like SeeBee said, my swelling (not that noticeable) stayed for about a year after rads.  I did a lot of gentle massage to keep things moving around in my boob and to minimize the circulation effects of rads.  I had lots of lymph nodes removed so that probably had an effect too re. swelling.

Anyhoo -- you've got some good answers from the other women here.  I really just wanted to say hi and wish you well.  You're doing great!!!

Elizabeth

xox

Hi Crunchy,

My lumpectomy was in early March, minimal post-op swelling.  But about one month post op my breast swelled a lot and got hot... had an infection that took a month to clear and return to the slightly swollen state.  Radiation seemed to have only a little effect.  Then some swelling on my first post op mammogram but that only lasted a couple weeks.  So now, at 8-9 months post op, my op'd breast shows minimal swelling, is slightly larger than normal, certainly not smaller.  I am wearing pre-surgery bras and op'd side is just a little more filled out than uninvolved breast.  It is perkier and firmer than "old" breast, only noticeable without a bra.  It's okay if it stays this way and okay if it deflates a little, a little only, to match other side.  The incision site at first was quite a dent but now if more like a dimple, really the most noticeable part of it is the discoloration, more than a defect... easy to live with.  My nipple on that side continues to be paler in color, at one point it almost disappeared, pigment-wise.  Also rads made it swell and look bigger but size is normal now, just pale... very odd.  An interesting experience

BTW, sensation is pretty normal.  No pain.  Good luck!

pam 

I am 16 days now past my lumpectomy and snb when is this pain in the back of my arm going to stop and my breast sounds like a water balloon doc says my body will absorb the fluid but when? And my breast is so swollen I'm so uncomfortable can even sleep in my bed will I'm be back to normal soon atleast before I start chemo?

I am one week past lumpectomy and my breast feels like it has a bunch of palpable veins in it. Like in your arm where they draw blood. Is this a normal feeling? I have a clotting disorder and Im just wondering if I should go back before my scheduled appointment on Jan 22.

thejoyk,

Since you have a clotting disorder, I'd suggest getting it checked out.

It's been a while ago, but I remember swelling continue a couple of months after BC surgery and reconstruction. I have truncal LE so it was hard to distinguish swelling related to surgery from that of LE, where one started and the other left off.

I’m 2-1/2 months post-op. Had only a SNB, 4 nodes removed--all negative, clear margins. 3 weeks post-op my SNB site seroma burst--had to have the incision sutured closed. At 1 mo. post-op, my armpit was barely swollen, my breast seemingly healed (just like pre-op, slightly smaller than the other one). Last week I started radiation (a 16-session course to just--presumably--the tumor cavity). By session 2, the RO noted a “large seroma” in the cavity not visible from outside (he saw it on the positioning X-rays) but said not to worry. One week afterward (halfway through rads), my operated & radiated breast is a full cup size larger than the other, tender (but not hot--and the skin is darkening but not itself irritated) and I am definitely afraid of lymphedema, despite having no other symptoms and being very careful to prevent it. They warn you about arm lymphedema and how to prevent it, but not about breast and trunk lymphedema. I suspect there really isn’t any way to prevent the latter. Shit happens. Just hope the breast doesn’t burst. I have a Mediterranean cruise booked for the week before Christmas--and my entire treatment schedule, from surgery date to radiation, was carefully planned to make sure I could go on it. I have the sleeve & gauntlet for my flights--but what does one do about trunk lymphedema--especially when they don’t make post-surgical bras in normal band but huge cup sizes? (at this point, 38 J and growing).

I am one week post lumpectomy and I am wondering the same thing. I don't have a blood clotting issue but I can feels a hardened area where the incision is.my next appointment is 2/22. Does it really take up to a year to feel anywhere near normal

Well, I was able to take that Mediterranean cruise (and I have a business/education trip to Europe--London, Lausanne, Paris) coming up next month. I wore compression (sleeve & gauntlet) in flight but got finger swelling--so the LE doc prescribed a glove for flight instead of the gauntlet (which I will still wear at sea level, especially when playing guitar). Unfortunately, I did develop LE--stage 1 but we’re trying to hold it at bay with therapy.

I’m now five months post-op. The axillary seroma is nearly gone (smaller than an almond), but I have developed Teenage Mutant Ninja Tit. The tumor-bed seroma hasn’t gotten any smaller--the skin over it is tan and fibrosed. (It was worse a month ago before my LE therapist began scar massage and had me start wearing a Swell Spot in my sleep bra). I went to my dermatologist today for unrelated stuff, but she was alarmed by the reddened area that extends to the front, and prescribed triamcinolone BID 2 wks on, 1 wk off till she sees me again in May for full-body mole-mapping. She says that post-radiation fibrosis & erythema can appear years later (just like LE, oh boy); and that if not treated can lead to permanent sclerosis or even local scleroderma. So I now have to add a twice-daily boob-lube to my routine of exercises and MLD massage.

Hi girlies

Thanks for being here. Had a lumpectomy on Thursday. Today I went for a post op check up. The surgeon seemed horrified by the hemotoma that developed at the surgical site. He tried to aspirate it but the blood was too thick. He sent me home and told me to come in next week. I was operated on in New York and I live in Florida. So here's my question...should I have the thing drained in Florida or wait the week out and fly back to NY.

I do like my surgeon. The hospital is the #1 Breast Cancer Hospital in the US. Meantime, I'm putting ice on it.

Micahmom - I am sorry your fluid is bothering you so much. I don't know what you can do but contact your MO for sure.

Yes. It takes up to 6 months for the swelling to go down. My RO told me today not to schedule any reconstructive surgery until 6 months later to see what the actual size/position will be. I still have fluids, but it is not that bad.

no one ever told me prior to surgery about swelling and fluid retention. It’s amazing that it can take six months I want to get back to normal. My husband and I are renewing our wedding vows August 18 th. My dress is v neck sleeveless and white. With this fluid invading my underarm I’m going to look horrible. You can see that fluid it’s very invaded and sightly Iwonder if my surgeon could drain that fluid?

Just had my lumpectomy on 11/1. I was surprised didn't look too different right after. Took out 7cm×2cm×1cm area. Now, just waiting for swelling to subside so I can see what it REALLY looks like. Cancer gone is way more important than aesthetics, I know. But...