Seroma
Hi girls,
Is it normal to have a Seroma after 4 months of surgery (double mastecomy) and have had it drained 13 times!?!?!
I'm worried that there is something wrong. My surgeon isn't too concerned about it, but I am.
Your advice girls :-)
Forum Discussion
9 Replies
- Hi Tanyar, I have a very similar situation to you. Double mastectomy in March 2013 and seromas on both sides just below the scar lines that needed draining regularly for 5 months. Initially I was drained about every 5 days but eventually the amount drained became less and I could go 2 weeks between treatments, and then they stopped producing fluid, and are now just hardish tissue. I don't know if these slightly swellings will ever diminish, but I am hoping so. Good luck!
Hi Joanne here, Most seromas do absorb back into the body,but not all. If you are getting less fluid each time i would say it will happen to you, i hope so. My 1st Mastectomy was done Feb, 2012 from which i got a seroma, i had it drained every 2 weeks with 280 -350 mls each time, I had to have another permanent drain inserted for 3 weeks before i could have Radiotheraphy, I also had it drained twice during. Unfortunately mine was the worst seen in my area and did not improve, continuing to be drained every 2 weeks again. When I had my 2nd Mastectomy in Jan 2013 the Doctor had to operate to remove the Seroma.
I hope you fall in to the first one, please let me know how you go and if you would like any more information, Regards Joanne.
I don't think they could drain the seroma in my armpit if they wanted to.
It is near the lymph clearance scar.
It is a hard lump now with an indistinct shape to it.
I have had an MRI and a CT scan and although it is "solid" I am told that it is fluid.
I am going to a physio twice a week to try and get it "loosened" up.
If I really stretch my arm out I can feel it tug right through to my scar on my chest.
Everyone thinks that there are adhesions involved.
This particular area apparently poses more threats to the success of my reconstruction than anything else at the moment which is why the physio will be done right up to reconstruction commencing.
The other thing the physio is doing is "loosening" up the scar area across my chest.
On Friday when I saw the physio, I was told "we look like we are winning".
After my mastectomy in 2010,I kept getting a seroma fill up along my scarline. I had to have it drained 2 or 3 times a week for 5 weeks and then it settled down.So I guess I went over 13 times to have it drained. Having it go on for 4 months sounds a longish time.But if clear to slight blood stained fluid comes out each time and not pus or bright blood then I guess it's ok.If you get alot of pain or a temperature then that would also indicate a problem. Tonya xx
- Hi Tanya I had a mastectomy in Nov 2011 and was returned to theatre with a haematoma a few hours after returning to the ward, quite traumatic at the time. After a week in hospital I went home and about a week later had to go to my Surgeons office to have a seroma drained. This was all new to me and he said it is common after a mastectomy and that I may have to return to him a few times. About a week later I had another build up of fluid which felt as though I was carrying a water bottle in my chest. Another trip to the Surgeon to have it drained. He wasn't at all concerned and fortunately I didn't have to go back to him after that. As for 13 times I can't really comment, it seems a lot but hopefully all OK. All the best. Love Sue
When I came back from my ultrasound to see what my new lump was I found my man worried and upset that I had driven home and not phoned him to tell him what it was. When I quickly said it was a seroma, nothing sinister, just a side effect from surgery. He then said it was My Seroma ( you all know the song Myyy Sherona). Information is that my body will absorb it. Trust your surgeon..
Love the pink hair
Viv
When I came back from my ultrasound to see what my new lump was I found my man worried and upset that I had driven home and not phoned him to tell him what it was. When I quickly said it was a seroma, nothing sinister, just a side effect from surgery. He then said it was My Seroma ( you all know the song Myyy Sherona). Information is that my body will absorb it. Trust your surgeon..
Love the pink hair
Viv
When I came back from my ultrasound to see what my new lump was I found my man worried and upset that I had driven home and not phoned him to tell him what it was. When I quickly said it was a seroma, nothing sinister, just a side effect from surgery. He then said it was My Seroma ( you all know the song Myyy Sherona). Information is that my body will absorb it. Trust your surgeon..
Love the pink hair
Viv
Hey Tanya
I feel that seroma's are fairly normal.
Personally I had a seroma which they tried to drain 3 times but were unable to produce any fluid. I think mine was more a haematoma(I think). Mine is now a hard lump but mine is totally different from yours I should think.
My lovely 80 year old neighbour had a double mastectomy and she had regular visits to the hospital to have the fluid removed and for her personally I don't think 13 would be far off what she was dealing with. But if you have any concerns then maybe get a second opinion now rather than later.
I hope it gets sorted for you soon as I know it is bad enough having surgery let alone the ongoing issues you are dealing with.
Good luck, lots of love,Mich xoxoxo
