Post mastectomy swelling or seroma?
How did you guys tell the difference between post surgery swelling & seroma? I’m 3 weeks post mastectomy and have swelling well beneath my incision, it kind of looks like my boob is trying to grow ...
Forum Discussion
Hi khill72
I recently had lymphnode removal and developed a seroma within a week. It was puffy, sore right where incision was. I thought it was initially swelling so I was ice packing it every few hours for 15mins. This proved the opposite of what I should have done. I ended up with more pain and diagnosed by going to emergency it was a seroma. For me it was like a half very soft under cooked boiled egg under my arm. That's how I saw it anyway. I said it was my egg incubating, family thought that was funny. Initially is was very soft and over time it started to get harder. If you are unsure get someone to look at it asap, it can't hurt. I should have been using heat packs 15mins every few hours. Heat will draw blood to the area and help with healing. As soon as I started this, it eased the pain dramatically & within a week started to reduce in size and another week later it was gone. I know my surgery was not as extensive as you've had done but now I know what a seroma is, I'd wished I'd checked straight away with my Dr. when I first noticed the swelling.
Let us know how you go?
I recently had lymphnode removal and developed a seroma within a week. It was puffy, sore right where incision was. I thought it was initially swelling so I was ice packing it every few hours for 15mins. This proved the opposite of what I should have done. I ended up with more pain and diagnosed by going to emergency it was a seroma. For me it was like a half very soft under cooked boiled egg under my arm. That's how I saw it anyway. I said it was my egg incubating, family thought that was funny. Initially is was very soft and over time it started to get harder. If you are unsure get someone to look at it asap, it can't hurt. I should have been using heat packs 15mins every few hours. Heat will draw blood to the area and help with healing. As soon as I started this, it eased the pain dramatically & within a week started to reduce in size and another week later it was gone. I know my surgery was not as extensive as you've had done but now I know what a seroma is, I'd wished I'd checked straight away with my Dr. when I first noticed the swelling.
Let us know how you go?