Side effects wide local excision

Hi @Vonniejoy,

I had lumpectomy and axilliary clearance. Had an up and down monster seroma for at least 18 months.  I had a weird cross of somewhat numb at times to super sensitive in the nipple department (tumour ended 1cm directlybehind it) .  All the nerves have been disturbed and chopped and it takes a long while to get even close to normal feeling. Different bras, materials annoyed it as well.
Definitely call the BCN or surgeon if you are concerned. 

Hi Vonniejoy, I also,had a partial mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy mid December last year.
I also had a seroma drained three times, healing nicely though.
My nipple appears to be ok, my tumour was quite deep towards the chest wall.
Where was your tumour located?
If at all concerned give the Breast Cancer nurse a call and they can put your mind at rest.

Let us know how you go, sending big hugs xx

All my surgery was done under my nipple (it was isolated, the bits cut out, the flesh pulled back in together & then the nipple stitched back on) and it took some time for my nipple to 'settle down.'  I had a small seroma post op but it absorbed OK.  It was very sensitive to everything.   Post op, the soft bra 'held it all together nicely' and protected it ..... but afterwards, even my clothes aggravated it.  It just takes a while for the nerve endings to find a new route.

Is your nipple actually 'hot' to the touch?  If in doubt - get it checked out!  ;)   Can you ring your Cancer Nurse for reasurrance?

All the best - I hope it settles down for you xx
 

Hi @Vonniejoy any heat or swelling post surgery can be a problem. Even the term ' post surgery' is problematic. Seroma can set up nasty little pockets of goo that can hang around for months. If you think you might have an infection get to your GP asap. Weirdo nerve stuff is horrible, but as @primek has suggested, there are drugs that can help once it is established that nerve damage is the issue.
Try to keep some record of what is happening and how you feel. That will make it easier to explain things to your medical team.

I don't have my nipple...but after my mastectomy and reconstruction a few weeks on my skin became very sensitive and painful to touch due to nerves regenerating. I did go onto lyrica for a few weeks and gently stroked the area and once less sensitive I was off the lyrica pretty  quick.