Afternoon everyone, I’m having problems with build up of fluid and am wondering how long it takes to,go away. My op was 8 weeks ago but five weeks in my seroma burst thru my incision and I ended up having day surgery to clean out and restitch it together again. I massage my breast every day seems to make no difference. Any suggestions . draining it .Fran

Well it took 13mths but the seroma finally disappeared and I'm finally wearing a bra and a prosthesis - very strange sensation indeed :-) Lymphatic drainage massage and using criss crossed tape was helpful for me. And my breast surgeon referred me to a plastic surgeon for reconstruction options and I will have my first visit in a couple of weeks. It will be interesting to find out what my options may be and if there is a long waiting list for the public system at Tweed Heads. SO glad to finally see the end of the seroma and I just have a small cording issue left. i am a little hypermobile so it is difficult to stretch my arm enough to release the cord. However massage at full stretch is helping.Thank you all for your info and support.Jx

Thanks Alex, Now on different antibiotics monitoring it see doctor again on Friday. Thank Fran x

unfortunately I am on the gold coast @Afraser - but I would appreciate any names of OTs or physios here. I was speaking to my son, who is a recently qualified OT, who is going to talk to the OTs at his Brisbane clinic who have a lot of patients with post mastectomy swelling/lymphodema. It seems to be recent OT training that endorses massage as an effective treatment for both lymphodema and seroma. He echoes your therapist - the fluid, whether water or lymph, still needs to find a way to drain past compromised/fewer lymph nodes and/or scar tissue. Those OTs might also be able to recommend therapists down my way.It's very reassuring to hear that lymph drainage was working for you (before the last infection).@Renatha - did your seroma develop 8 weeks post surgery and are you still having massages?thank you @Afraser and @Renatha Jules

@jewel-ee I'm not sure as I had a drain in for 2 weeks, I don't think it was there then. It was when the surgeon removed the drain (though still losing fluid) that the BC nurse talked to me about the fluid filling the place where lymph nodes removed as being the body's natural reaction (seroma). Since then I've been told the long lump above the incision is scar tissue. The physio has given me some exercises which certainly help with some of the discomfort and keep my arms moving. All the best xo

I've seen your posts rather late but just wanted to wish you well in every aspect of your treatment. I'm located on the Gold Coast and attend physiotherapy in Helensvale. My Physio is a specialist in treating fluid build up, seroma and lymphatic. This has helped me just about more than anything else. For anyone reading this & in need of a very good Physio on the GC, I'd be pleased to provide details. Best wishes <3

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