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Halla's avatar
Halla
Member
4 years ago

3 weeks post surgery - little worries

Hi team! 

I  am three weeks post lumpectomies. Still a bit sore but seams are mending well. I had quite a bit removed, maybe 150g in total, 8cm across.

I have two symptoms that I am wondering about.

The first is that the underside of my operated boob is all dimpled, like cellulite. It is not red. The op was on the top outer quadrant.  I am assuming this is  because there was a lot of tissue removed and so now the skin/fat is let’s say, deflated. Did others have this symptom? Should I be worried?

The second is that I have a really tender spot on my back just under my shoulder blade, around from where the sentinel node was taken out. I’m thinking there is probably a lymph node there. Is that familiar to anyone?

it seems the surgeon doesn’t want to see me again for 6 months and the nurse has said there is no point in doing an mri until then because all the scar tissue healing shows up. So I’m not sure who to ask about these symptoms.
  • PV123's avatar
    PV123
    Member
    4 years ago
    Hi @Halla

    I had bilateral mastectomies and a few issues relating to seroma but not the issues you have described.  Can you ask for an earlier appointment with the surgeon.  My surgeon was happy for me to email her any concerns and then call her to discuss ( I remember having emailed her the picture of my seroma once).  I have found that often receptionists act like the gatekeepers and will not even let you talk to the doctor.  

    You might need to insist on either seeing or speaking to the surgeon.  I remember having visited the GP about my seroma and she said she couldn’t help as she had no experience in that.  
  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    4 years ago
    I had that weird under the shoulder blade pain after my lumpectomy and SNB as well. There must be a nerve that runs there. It faded away in time.

    The 'orange peel' effect could be lymph fluid pooling as it tries to work out new routes to drain. I had that after my DIEP recon.

    If you are at all worried about anything go and see your surgeon. Don't be put off by the gatekeepers! Insist. And if you don't feel able, deputise someone to do it for you. You come first. K xox
  • Halla's avatar
    Halla
    Member
    4 years ago
    Thank you! That’s really interesting you had that odd shoulder blade thing too @kmakm 

    I had texted the breast nurse and she just got back to me (finally - but on a Sunday which was appreciated! She said they are extra extra busy this year) - she said it could be a bit of cording and she will refer me to a lymphodaema consultant...she also said the dimpled skin thing is quite common and that lots of ladies worry the cancer has come back but that it is normal after surgery. So that’s all very reassuring. 
  • StrongCoffee's avatar
    StrongCoffee
    Member
    4 years ago
    In Melbourne, almost every medico I've dealt with so far has said they are flat out crazy busy this year as so many people put off their routine screening etc last year. Plus all the surgeries getting postponed etc.

    I'm 19 days post skin sparing mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction with 2 sentinel nodes biopsied. So a much bigger surgery. But the area around where my nodes were tampered with is way sorer than the breast! It's also where I had the worst bruising which is still fairly dark and tender.

    Plus I agree on the weird nerve thing. If I scratch a spot at the top of my neck, I get phantom nipple pain! Bodies are weird!
  • noosa_blue150's avatar
    noosa_blue150
    Member
    4 years ago
    I had my left breast lumpectomy , e/o lymph nodes in jan 2021. It did take a month mininium for healing to really occur , and after radiation in March , it’s taken several months for hard tissue to feel softer. 
     I was reviewed by lymphoedema OT end of March for cording ( which has now disappeared). In the process she noted I had orange peel appearance on breast with some swelling. I was given a small lumpy dressing ( sorry don’t know it’s correct name) which I have diligently worn inside my soft bra since and I must admit I think the dimpling has largely resolved. A special compression bra was also ordered and hopefully will be here this week for fitting ( issues with stock arriving have affected all sorts of goods). I had gone out and brought several “mastectomy” bras thinking I’d get small prosthesis for left side to wear but OT advised me to stay with softer first mastectomy type crop top bras until congestion and dimpling resolves. May be worth seeing if you have access to a,lymphoedema nurses/OT within your health service to check on the orange peel skin. I’d also be checking no sermons or would issues first with drs 
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    4 years ago
    Odd - my surgeon insisted on seeing me a few weeks after surgery to ensure that everything was healing well.  If concerned, make an appointment - it's their job.  Nerve damage around the arm, armpit, or surrounding area is quite common and there's not a lot you can do but if it's cording, best to get onto it as soon as you can.
  • Anne65's avatar
    Anne65
    Member
    4 years ago
    @Halla I had a lumpectomy & also had the dimpled effect under my operated breast. I had tissue removed from that area to fill in the gap. The surgeon & my McGrath BC nurse said it was normal & was a combo of scar tissue & also fluid. I massaged it daily to help with the fluid build up as per their advice. They told me it could take a long time to improve & very slowly it has. I had my surgery Dec. 2017 so be patient. 
    Sorry i cant help with your other problem as i had no nodes removed.
    Hang in there but if you are at all worried, see your surgeon, GP or BC nurse. Good luck. love & hugs xx
  • Halla's avatar
    Halla
    Member
    4 years ago
    Thanks ladies, that is all very interesting, and super helpful. I have been massaging the cords now I know what they are!
  • Julez1958's avatar
    Julez1958
    Member
    4 years ago
    I reckon you should ask for a consult with your surgeon .
    Mine saw me a week after discharge from hospital and then said if at anytime  I had questions before the next follow up appointment ( 3 months later) I could make an appointment.