Sentinel nodes removed on both sides

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Teja
Teja Member Posts: 3
edited January 2019 in Lymphedema

Hello

Hello

I underwent a double mastectomy with tissue expanders on Nov 30, 2018. While my overall recovery is going well I am so afraid of lymphedema!! I had 3 nodes taken out of the left (thats where the cancer was) and 2 nodes from the right (no cancer). While I have no swelling on the right arm I do see some swelling on the left. Im not sure if this is just residual swelling from the surgery in general or actual lymphedema. I have seen a PT and do have a compression sleeve etc. I just wanted to see if anyone else had swelling after surgery too and when it went away. FYI..When they measured me and did the math they said it was around 50ml. Also is it common to have both sides sentinel node biopsy done if the detected cancer was on just one side.

Thanks

Teja

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Dx 10/29/2018, IDC, 1.6 cm, Stage IA, Grade 2, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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  • Jenkins00
    Jenkins00 Member Posts: 144
    edited January 2019

    Teja - I had four lymph nodes taken out, two on each side even though the cancer was on one side. Reason being was I chose a double mastectomy so the breast surgeon checked both sides. I did have swelling after which subsided. I don't have lymphedema.

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  • Teja
    Teja Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2019

    How long did your swelling last and where was it? Im 8 weeks out with swelling on the inside of my wrist and forearm and around my elbow.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited January 2019

    My LE did not develop until 4 months after surgery so mine was a different situation. However, unless there were complications, I would think that healing should be well along by 8 weeks. Hopefully you have a glove or gauntlet to wear with the properly fitted compression sleeve. Did the physical therapist teach you lymphatic massage?

    If you can find the website www.StepUp-SpeakOut.org, they have a wealth of information.

    Depending on the degree of suspicion regarding possible cancer presence in the non-affected side, SN biopsy might be appropriate since, once mastectomy has taken place, it may not be possible to locate the sentinel node(s) easily.

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