Seroma

Kari_2015

Morning

Since my lumpectomy in June, I have been battling lymphedema and a seroma in my breast.  I think the lymphedema is now under control but the breast nurse if pretty sure I have a seroma at the surgery site.  They would rather leave it as is if possible while I am undergoing chemo.  So far it isn't too tender and seems to go up and down in size and firmness, some days it looks to me like it is slightly bruised (possibly my massage techniques are little rough!).  Has anyone found any techniques to successfully remove or help with the removal of this fluid.  I only had 2 nodes removed but apparently this is one of the down sides to being larger breasted.

Thanks, Kari

ronni

Hi Kari, hope your treatment is going well. I have breast oedema too and it can become very uncomfortable. I went to a lymphodema clinic, where they showed me what to do.I am in Melbourne and they are far and few between. You can do a light massage with your fingertips......I also see a physio who works on my cording. It would be nice if it could just be drained!!! Time....is what I am told!! I do regular exercise too, which has helped my strength, but the fluid is still there. It is very frustrating at times,but we are here.

Good luck

TonyaM

Hi Kari, are they sure it's a seroma? Has it been ultrasounded? Can sometimes be a haematoma. After my mastectomy,I had a seroma that was drained twice a week for 6 weeks.My surgeon was happy to do this as it was very uncomfortable and wouldn't dissipate on it's own.I suppose it depends how big it is. Tonya xx

kazza4450

Hi Kari,

I had a lumpectomy in June, developed a seroma which was drained up in the emergency room in hospital as was so uncomfortable plus temps etc. They drained about 40 mls out and the relief was instant. I still was unwell for quite a while but started to improve after that. 

I then had second surgery couple weeks after first. Developed seroma around the lympth node surgery area. I am not 10 weeks since then and just improving last 10 days or so. They tried draining it, but was unsuccessful, so had around 7 lots of antiobiotics over the 10 weeks.

Was a long road but coming out the other side, had low grade temps most of that time. Was very frustrating, but basically a time thing and the seroma settled and hardened, but still had swelling and redness with the temps.

Its not the easiest thing to go through. I know it can feel like we can't catch a break, but it will settle eventually. I had lots of problems with arm, cording, and mild swelling, but due to where seroma was made my arm worse.

I have had 3 sessions with physio last few weeks and seen a big improvement with the swelling around the seroma area. It was painful sessions but seems to be making a big difference.

All the best Kari, hope your doing better soon..xxx

 

kazza4450

Hi Ronni

Yes all that you have said is pretty much what I have just experienced the last 10 weeks, coming out the other side.

All the above will work eventually, lol.

I need to do my exercises more, I think that is a major key to our healing process. xx

 

Kari_2015

Thanks everyone, go back to the surgeon at the end of Sept for a check up, find out more then.  Physio is happy with the underside where the redness was, waiting game for the surgery site to improve I guess. No temps and very little discomfort so I am fortunate.