Mastectomy 8 days ago- seroma?
Skbr
Member Posts: 31 ✭
Hi ladies, I’ve just had a mastectomy (8days ago) with a tissue expander (that has already been filled a lot - much more than I wanted - so my breast has been hard/round/tight for days).
Yesterday my drain was removed even though it was still at 30-40. I feel like it may have been removed prematurely because my surgeon was going on holiday.. I’ve been in a bit of pain today, and finally looked down to see that my breast has ballooned a bit and is full of liquid. The skin and nipple is soft moving/hanging slightly because of all the fluid. The nurse called my surgeon and said “I had been told that this would happen” - that it would be “hot and tight”.
1) I wasn’t told anything, 2) it’s not tight, it’s squishy and full like a balloon. 3) I’m in pain and don’t feel like I am being properly listened to. Is this a seroma? It feels and looks horrible, should I be concerned or is this normal?
I would really appreciate any advice x
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Its hardly an empathetic response and Im not surprised you feel upset. Sorry youve had this experience.
I had a seroma for a good while and the surgeon drained it when i saw him which was frequently for the first month or so. 30-40mls at each draining session is considered not large but can make you feel uncomfortable or give you pain if things start rubbing. i had my drain removed when it was below 100ml and before i left hospital after surgery so the drain removal isnt the issue probably. I didnt have a reconstruction so cant guess at the impact on that. My surgeon described a seroma like "growing a new boob". Did surgeon not leave someone else who can see you? Maybe the nurse can find soneone to ease your discomfit and your mind.
Hope you feel better soon.
Michele
i was in hospital for 6 nights after a mastectomy on my left breast with insertion of tissue expanders and a reduction in the other breast in October last year at St Vincent’s Private in Sydney .
The drain in my left breast was removed after 3 days and the other drain after 4.
I had almost no liquid before removal.
My breast cancer surgeon and plastic surgeon looked in on me every day in hospital and were very good at explaining stuff.I was told I may get a seroma in the left breast and this was identified in my follow up appointment a week later.I got it drained under ultrasound by a radiologist and then again a couple of weeks after that.It didn’t hurt but was a bit weird.
I didn’t get another drain but the breast was tight and hot for a few weeks and then it was “stirred up “ with radiotherapy . It’s just uncomfortable now .You definitely need to see a surgeon , presumably there is someone covering for the one on holidays.
All the best.
I had bilateral mastectomies and had persistent seroma for several weeks in one breast that had to be drained weekly. My surgeon asked me to call or send her photos of any issues I might have. I could also email any questions to the receptionist who would check with the surgeon and call me back. When the surgeon went on holiday she provided me with the information about another colleague who would see me if needed.