When to see doctor about fluid build up

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sashimi1973
sashimi1973 Member Posts: 12
edited March 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Hey all,

I had my drains removed this past Friday because they were averaging 10-15ml per day. They told me I'd have some fluid retention, but my body should absorb most of it. The nurse said if it was putting pressure on my stitches or I could hear sloshing, I could come in to have it drained. I have noticed some swelling in my chest, and it feels like something is moving when I walk, but I'm not sure it's bad enough to be drained.

What are some of your experiences with this kind of thing?

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  • scoop
    scoop Member Posts: 34
    edited February 2020

    About a week after my bilater MX with TE, I woke up with a large amount of swelling on the left side. I still had my drains in but it wasn't getting that area apparently. Went and showed it to the nurse, who sent pics to doc, and they said no big deal, wait a few days. A few days later I went in, they tried to drain with a needle unsuccessfully. They scheduled a surgery for the next day to open the whole incision back up and relieve the swelling.


    I'm not sure how helpful that is. I would say it depends on how much swelling there is, and if it is sticking around. If in doubt, call the doc.

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  • Yogatyme
    Yogatyme Member Posts: 2,349
    edited February 2020

    If there is fluid it could be a seroma. I had one after drains were removed. Putting hot compresses on it for 15 min several times a day helped it completely resolve in about a week. Apparently it is best to try this first b/c draining often results in it just filling up again and can risk infection. May not work but it’s worth a try. Fingers crossed for you.

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  • ajminn3
    ajminn3 Member Posts: 327
    edited February 2020

    I had some fluid build up after my drains were removed. When I went in for a check up 1 week post drain removal I could see the fluid rippling like a wave at the bottom/under my implant but it wasn’t causing any pain or pressure on my stitches. It just freaked me out more than anything. My plastic surgeon did aspirate it in the office (she felt confident she could do it right there) and she got about 20ml of fluid out. I thought a lot more fluid would come out! It didn’t come back after that. I had a very small amount in my other breast but not enough to aspirate it and it resolved itself within 2 weeks I did/do have a 2cm seroma in my left armpit area apparently, but I didn’t even know about it until I read it in my CT/PET scan report, so we are leaving that one alone to take care of itself.

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  • sashimi1973
    sashimi1973 Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2020

    Thanks for the tip, Yogatyme! There was a little fluid, but it hasn't increased. It seems to have started to get absorbed back in, but I can try the compresses. I'm not too worried about it now. Just getting the drains out had me anxious about fluid build up.

    Thanks all!

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  • Augustkm
    Augustkm Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2020

    Surgery Feb 24, 2020. partial mastectomy. About 1/4 of a pound breast tissue removed plus three lymph nodes. Swelling and more pain than after surgery. Med dr. looked at yesterday, said seemed to be fluid build up but no other suggestion. Radiation to begin next week. Radiation dr tried to examine me but pain in area of lymph node removal area and under arm made him stop. Does one just go ahead with radiation? How bad does it have to get to go back to the surgeon?

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