Fluid buildup after lumpectomy

thank you Lisha. Sounds like a great idea. I have just finished a course of anti bionics for the small infection that I had in the fluid and my breast feels a lot better now. Its been almost 5 weeks since my op so things are finally starting to settle down.

Hi Adrienne,

I had a wide local excision on  July 21 and had quite a lot of fluid build up. We had a group physio session and they talked to us about massaging arms and chest area. I started massaging the breast area to move the fluid a few times a day and it helped.  I did end up having an infection and had to go on antibiotics but I still kept up the massage to keep the fluid moving. I had a few appointments with the oncology Dr's and they too said to massage to move the fluid. The fluid has moved and feeling more normal sized now

Hello San - Dee. I am seeing my medical oncologist on Tuesday so might have a chat with her. Tonight it looks as though I have new bruising coming out and it's been 3 weeks since my op. Strange things are happening!! 

Thanks for your input :).

Adrienne 

I had a lumpectomy in early March and the seroma didn't appear until the end of June. By then I had forgotten what I was told about seromas after surgery so just left it, hoping it would go away. It only got bigger, (felt like I had a grapefruit in there) more tender, harder and made my boob look deformed. I spoke to my medical oncologist who had a look and said it was fluid build up. He sent me for an ultrasound to be sure, but it was going to take a couple of weeks for me to get in. Then I remembered what the surgeon had told me so I called his office and his secretary said to come in straight away. It only took a couple of minutes and was painless. He drained off over half a litre of fluid and the relief was instant! I did end up with a crater shaped divot in my boob and was nears tears when I saw it. It looked even more deformed than before! But my surgeon said it would fill out again in a day or so and he was right. I have had the seroma drained twice more since, with the exact same results (although a little less fluid was aspirated each time) The last time he said unless it becomes hard or uncomfortable, to leave it, as it will eventually dissipate on its own.

So I suppose, if it is not causing you any grief, then leave it alone. If it is causing you concern, talk to your surgeon and be guided by him.

Good luck with it.

Hugs

San-Dee

 

 

Hello Mira

Wow you are lucky that it went away so quickly. Ive had this for 2 weeks now and it seems to be getting a bit worse. Anyway Ill keep an eye on it for now.

thanks for your comments - Adrienne :)

Thanks Kayvie

I did give the nurse a ring and she mentioned that as long as I watch for infection it will go down in time. I just wondered if I could maybe use a hot or cold compress to help? Anyway - I might give her another call.

thanks for your comments - Adrienne :)

Hello Aqua Sunrise

Wow a year will be a long time for this. Thank you for your comments.

Adrienne :)

Thanks Kate, I think Ill have to grin and bear it :)

Adrienne :)

I had some fluid build up under my arm after my surgery.  It was really painful so I went into the er (it was late at night) and luckily one of my surgeons registrars that had seen me previously was working that night.  She said its better not to drain it if we don't need to as making an incision gives us a higher chance of infection.  They gave me some stronger painkillers and sent me home with an appointment to see the surgeon in a weeks time but by then it had gone down and wasn't a problem.

 

Hi Adrienne

I too had a lumpectomy on 3 August. I had/continue to have fluid build up which is quite uncomfortable. A phone call to the surgeon's office and my lovely breast care nurse sorted the problem. I went in and had some of the fluid drained away which made me a lot more comfortable (instantly - a bit like letting some air out of the tyres!) Apparently this is quite normal after surgery. Slowly the fluid is building up again and the nurse advised that if it becomes uncomfortable then it is possible to drain it again.

Perhaps a call to your breast care nurse may sort the problem for you?

Kayvie