Dear Broccoli,
I'm sorry for your recent experiences.
With my SMX with axillary clearance, my seroma was drained 6 times.
Started at 150mls and slowly reducing over that time.
Like everything we are individual. Big variations.
I didn't find it particularly painful, except getting comfortable at bedtime.
I did have very strange sensations and numbness to my inside,upper arm and my side.
2 1/2 years later, sensations are still not normal. I've had to get used to it.
I had oxycodone, which I took at bedtime, and weaned off.
I did see a specialist Physiotherapist, who did Laser. She said it would help with healing, the seroma and cording.
Where is your holiday to? Australia or Overseas? Is it for a long time?
Ask your Surgeon if an experienced Doctor can do it where you are going? Maybe refer you or give you a letter.
Maybe by then you can have it done less frequently.
My Surgeon was unavailable once and arranged for it to be done in an Emergency Dept, at the hospital that I'd had the surgery at.
I've since had reconstruction, and had a seroma again. I was told to be prepared for that, by the Surgeon.
Stay positive, it will settle. But I would seek medical advice regarding the holiday.
