abdominal swelling after mastectomy

When can I resume my normal activities after a mastectomy? I had mastectomy and TRAM flat reconstruction on April 6, 2020. . A good tip would be to place commonly used items like clothes, toiletries, plates, and utensils within easy reach. Your surgeon will be able to give you more specific details. I am getting bilateral mastectomy/breast reconstruction (after finding out I have a genetic mutation) next month and am scared to death about my hospital experience. The nurses/techs give you bs when you ask for proper treatment.you cant get lymphedema if you only have 1 node removedyou wont get if after 10 yearsyou wont get it if they take blood from your handthey cant take blood pressure in your legit goes on and on. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. Six years later I have a perfectly flat stomach but can still feel a pull. If this is the case, get instructions from your surgeon on how to care for your surgical drains at home. @chamisa See my post below. If you belong to a medical group, they may be able to recommend a physical therapist, but you do want someone knowledgeable in lymph massage. It's handy to rest things on, I guess! My seroma was only diagnosed after a scan. Was told it would get better. This can include how to care of your incision, which types of arm and shoulder exercises to do, and when you can resume your normal activities. I do not have it bad like some do. It takes time to completely recover from a mastectomy. You can do research about them on Google to understand how they work. In a circular motion, bring your shoulders forward, up, backward, and down (see Figure 1). However, there are many ways you can set yourself up for an easier recovery. Drain was removed on day six, and I have been taking my normal walk each day since day 7 (3-4 miles each day). I woud look at your lymph system as the areas you have highlighted sound like the main lymph drainage areas. I am on Cefadroxil, which does make me nauseous if I take it on an empty stomach. I didn't have chemo or radiation and I only took anastrozole for 5.5 months, after bad side effects. Thanks! (2018). Pain relief within an hour. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. I have read some great info though! Your surgeon will talk with you about when this may be possible. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Good luck to you! Thanks people, and I hope you're all doing ok. 2022 Breast Cancer Now. I hope that your recuperation continues to progress. They are not keen to remove the fluid unless it is essential, as it tends to build up again quite quickly. The dr said that it was lymphatic fluid gathering at the bottom of my breast due to the surgery. My GP doesn't seem bothered, and my BCN says it will 'probably go away'. Surprised how many women are experiencing abdominal bloating. I 'thought' I was doing it right but I let one cut go and ended up in very bad shape with cellulitis. Since I cannot blame this on lack of exercise, constipation, cancer spread, etc., I guess I will be patient and wait for the medication to work itself out of my system to see if things improve! Its best to avoid strenuous exercises until you get the OK from your surgeon. Like a bowling ball. Please support The Breast Cancer Site by adding us to your ad blockers whitelist ads help us to support those fighting Breast Cancer. I then researched seroma after abdominal surgery and I found its a fairly common side effect. (regarding that, I wonder if guys had needles stuck in their privates if they would be a little more sensitive with their needles???) Some individuals may develop chronic pain following a mastectomy. Doing so can help your recovery go as smoothly as possible. You have had a double mx but don't say you have been reconstructed, so no tummy interference. Good luck and persevere it is your body and you that needs to live with it. I do have mirrors in my house and my stomach never stuck out before. How are you feeling after your mastectomy? All Rights Reserved. Are these options things you've already tried or are doing? Last Thursday, I had a Simple Mastectomy and Sentenal Node Biopsy. Take your time, but dont ignore the muscles. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support and answers. Did you get a response? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. Those are your signs to call your doctor for further instructions. When you open up your body, youre leaving yourself exposed. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. If it's just mild swelling, sometime it is just due to bloated intestines.If the gastrectomy was several weeks or months ago, the considerations include ascites (abdominal fluid), a hernia, versus tumor regrowth.Talk with your surgeon to learn more. You May ask why if it is common why it wasnt immediately diagnosed. @trixie1313 yes, am pursuing that. Can a Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Be Performed at the Same Time? Your surgeon will schedule a follow-up appointment about 7 to 10 days after your mastectomy. It may take time to regain that muscle strength. Hello. She has a direct line to the surgeons and the whole BC team. However, there are those times where I need to say, If it was me, I would do. In some cases, numbness may be temporary and fade over time as you heal, although your surgical scar itself will often remain permanently numb. Many of those women wonder what to expect post-mastectomy. Mastectomy: Your operation explained. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. I do find that some of those things help, just to make sure that gas doesnt make a bad problem worse. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? Is there anything we can do to make the swelling go down? I am glad to hear about the MLD and will ask my oncologist to refer me. A 2018 observational study estimated that 20 to 30 percent of people who undergo breast surgery experience some type of chronic pain. Most of the people faces problem after surgeries but then you must be really cautious about all these problems. As it turned out there were no lymph nodes removed, just some fatty tissue. I am just wondering what was the outcome for you? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The swell spots are sewn in a way for the lymph veins go move the lymphatics along. You can do research about them on Google to understand how they work. Your surgeon may prescribe a pain medication to take after you leave the hospital. Thank you. It feels numb. From surgery to chemotherapy to radiation and for years later, many of those scars remain. Do I now walk around in constant discomfort, looking 4 months pregnant? The CT scan revealed nothing untoward, except that my abdominal wall is minus muscle that was used for boob reconstruction. Abdominal swelling may have multiple causes as listed by Bookish. I WAS a 13 year survivor until last month. I am due to have my seroma surgical removed on Tuesday 22 July. These include redness, pain, heat, increased swelling, or fever. Backward shoulder rolls. How long was your tummy swollen for? Might be worth discussing with hospital team and GP? Watch out for a fever, swelling, redness, and added pain. Now it does! I do not get my blood drawn at the cancer center nor the hospital associated with it. I had a drain in on either side and developed a couple of Seroma. I think whats difficult for me is mainly -the impact of this on daily living, theres ongoing pain, the immediate need to go to the loo and the not knowing if I am gonna keep growing.. which seems minor when everyone is going through so much and fighting to beat cancer. Its a long post but there just seems to be so little info available that I wanted to share. I am paying the price now and 'paying' includes pain, anxiety and huge bills from my hospital stay and follow ups (I'm just 62 now and so no medicare to soften the financial blow). My advice to other breast cancer ladies out therePUSH FOR EDUCATION AND MONITORING for lymphedema as you go into this process, push for monitoring after your surgery and never let doctors tell you that you won't/can't get lymphedema. September 2009 edited March 2014 #1. Its hard to feel anything in the breast area: an accidental brush of someones arm walking by, something poking through your t-shirt or bra, even the intimate moments between you and your significant other are hard to detect. Hi Delight, welcome. I haven't been horrendously uncomfortable most of the time. After researching this phenomenon online, I think that it must be due to the antibiotic I will finish today. I find that trawling the Internet expeciallythe US sites can throw up some useful information but you do need to read it with care. I just wondered if any type of external support item could be worn, thinking some sort of part body stocking, or the fabric used for support tights etc. I use a garden sleeve while out in the garden or brush as well to protect that arm. Infections can happen with any surgery. It is still early days for you after your operation, so you can expect it to still be slightly tender and swollen. Well discuss how long recovery takes, what mastectomy pain is like, and when you can typically return to daily activities. Connection & Conversation: Open for the holidays. I bought them from Dick's Sporting Goods Store. It can cause: swelling pain an increased risk of infection The fluid normally goes away on its own within a few weeks. Hopefully others will see this and be helped as well. You should be off narcotic pain medication before driving again. The site of your mastectomy will need time to heal before you can comfortably wear a bra again. May I ask if you had reconstruction after your mx? There are several reasons why constipation may occur after a hysterectomy, including pain medication, a sedentary lifestyle, and a lack of fiber in the diet. When those nodes are removed, Lymphedema may occur. I was hospitalized for 6 days and have permanant damage to my left hand that will never improve. I had my mastectomy last December - no recon - and since then, my stomach on mx side looks like I'm pregnant too. Possible problems after mastectomy. Because everyone experiences pain differently, the intensity and duration can vary between individuals. I know it doesnt seem long, but three years is still three years and it feels good. Support those fighting Breast Cancer at The Breast Cancer Site for free! I've lost nearly a stone since the op, and have been going to the gym three times a week. For some people, this may be about 10 days after surgery. One concern you may have is when you can go about daily activities, like household chores and running errands. Its likely that youll start out with gentle, low impact exercise and slowly increase in intensity. linwin xx. researchgate.net/publication/343589163_Pain_Management_in_Breast_Surgery_Recommendations_of_a_Multidisciplinary_Expert_Panel-The_American_Society_of_Breast_Surgeons, nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/checklist-for-recovery-after-mastectomy/, cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer/mastectomy.html, breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mastectomy/expectations, uhb.nhs.uk/Downloads/pdf/PiMastectomy.pdf, cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/after-surgery/problems-after-mastectomy, cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/pain/post-mastectomy-pain-syndrome.html, link.springer.com/article/10.1245%2Fs10434-018-6644-x, cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/after-surgery/what-happens-after-surgery. I think it's a build up of fluid, like a lymphedema problem. I had a double mastectomy10 years ago. Try to make the circle as big as you can and move both shoulders at the same time. I have very skinny legs and arms, but this huge stomach bulging out!!! (2020). I too have a distended abdomen since I had bilateral mastectomy in 2018 the swelling got aoarst this year and had a CT scan and US which is negative for cancer. Youll generally need to avoid doing household chores and lifting heavy objects for a set period of time. Interested in more discussions like this? breast reconstruction during your mastectomy. Studies have shown that between 20% and 30% of women develop symptoms of PMPS after surgery. A belly binder may just bind the area and not let the lymphs move along. I had to fight with the doctors to get care and ultimately had to take it upon myself to get PT and massage therapy (which I had to pay for myself) because they kept saying I didn't have it. I am now on a very strict program of PT, massage, and bandaging to keep the lymphedema under control. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. What happens after breast surgery. Any ideas why the arm swell, or become edematous, after a radial mastectomy? This can include: Its very important to carefully follow all of these instructions after you return home. Great news but now2 months out I still cant wear my clothes. I had mastectomy and TRAM flat reconstruction on April 6, 2020. Go back to your doctor and ask for a scan that will show up fluid. If I had a bulge now I look at the lymphatic system. I also had my lymph node checked on my left side. Try to have a loved one get the prescription filled when youre on your way home, so youll have it on hand if you need it. Its lymphatic, not gastrointestinal. Below, well outline what you can generally expect, both in the hospital and after you return home. Had part of colon removed in April & did radiospheres as well. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Then she went out and got me fruits and a big salad to push the greens. Jusdt a very thin abdominal wall because muscle has been removed. Pain immediately after your mastectomy will make you feel like you were crushed by a ton of bricks. @mariahpendl, I wanted to check in. Most people recover from a mastectomy without complications. I let the doctors convince me that I shouldn't worry about lymphedema and here I am fighting this battle while I'm also about to hear that I have hit the 5 year mark cancer free (a very good bit of news). Every time he had breast augmentation, it can cause some surrounding swelling to the upper abdominal wall for a week or 2 after surgery. When having a mastectomy, your breast tissue is cut away from your skin. Regular massage, especially deep tissue, can be harmful. This is such a common problem after a mastectomy that I would think doctors would admit that it is a problem and address it. However, it is important to remember that it is generally not harmful. The amount of stress on the intercostal nerves could be reduced with less invasive techniques such as the VATS technique. which swelled occasionally but disapated in a day or 2. now i have had pouch swelling fo? ", "I am a year out of a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction and seem to have". 1. This feeling is due to nerve damage that can happen during the surgery. This is great info. Use a towel to dry your incision thoroughly after showering. however,had a DIEP and ended up with seroma in the abdomen,which capsulated,and removed surgically.Consequently I ended up with scar tissue and a protruding tummy. The doctors kept telling me I wouldn't get lymphdema with just one node removed. I never had trouble doing that either before all this. What Causes Stomach Bloating After Breast Augmentation Surgery? I had a modified radical mastectomy, chemo and radiation in 1996-1997. We mustnt just accept. One common reason why your stomach may be bigger after a hysterectomy is constipation. I've lost 2 inches off each thigh and can't keep my trousers up, but my upper tummy just stays distended. I never was informed about the possibility of lymphedema at all by any medical person, but an acquaintance had it so at least I was aware. Your surgeon transfers a section of skin, muscle, fat and blood vessels from one part of your body to your chest to create a new breast mound. My seroma was only found after I had a full body scan when a primary was found in my second breast. Chronic pain after mastectomy happens due to nerve damage. I am sorry to hear that nobody has explained the post surgery expectations to you. I wake up not as bloated then as the day goes on, whether I eat or not, the belly bloats. Heres what to expect. We are always here for you. We avoid using tertiary references. Its a good idea to take another person with you the first time you drive after surgery. Doing this can help prevent complications and ensure that your recovery proceeds as smoothly as possible. Thanks for the info, but it's definitely not a regular "bloating" or digestion problem. Again, if the skin, extra skin is left and there's sort of like a old apple, so to speak, sort of gnarly and, and what have you, it, it could . The hospital and my surgeon said the swelling was not swelling, they said my stomach appeared to me to be swollen because I did not have breasts. If you happened to start the reconstruction process with expanders, or even once you put implants in, infection can still happen. Interested in more discussions like this? When you get home from the hospital, your movements and range of motion will be more limited. Hard to feel good about oneself when you look 8 months pregnant. I have not had reconstruction yet and it has been a year. @carr Exercise is a major key to recovery, in my opinion, and for me that has brought many unexpected benefits. The hospital and my surgeon said", "Thanks, @amandajro, but agree with @almostoutofthewoods this isnt gastrointestinal bloating which this article addresses. I had my mx last December and unless I wear my prosthesis I look pregnant - not a good look LOL x. Hi, thank you for responding. My bowel habits have returned to normal, but I also have torso bloat/swelling that is quite uncomfortable. I was in excellent physical shape when I underwent my hysterectomy (Not to brag, but I actually had a six-pack!). Breast Cancer Now is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (9347608) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1160558), Scotland (SC045584) and the Isle of Man (1200). When you return to work can also depend on the type of work you do. Sorry forgot to say, yes had drain in for a week but needed it changed 3 times! Not do vigorous, repetitive movements against resistance with the affected arm. Answer: 1-2 weeks. I found a certified lymphedema therapist and I will make an appointment. Re: Abdominal swelling after surgery - has anyone else had this? However, for some individuals, it may take months. Over those three years I have talked to numerous women who have sought out my knowledge in hopes that their questions could be answered, or that I might have added insight that their doctors failed to relay to them. I am a very small frame and I am 74 all most 75 years of age. I can tell this is very bothersome to", "Thanks for the info, but it's definitely not a regular "bloating" or digestion problem. Up till then I was completely fobbed off. A low-grade fever that is under 100 degrees Fahrenheit is normal the day after surgery. things that can help you while showering or bathing, including: items to help with surgical drains (if you have them), such as: a drain lanyard for the shower, which can help to keep surgical drains from dangling, a mastectomy drain apron or jacket, which has pockets designed to secure surgical drains, comfortable pants, such as yoga or lounge pants, shirts that fit loosely and that can button or zip in the front, something to keep you entertained in your hospital room, such as a book, magazine, or tablet. I had sentinel lymph nodes taken then and later all nodes in R arm. but good woman that she is followed it up by "I'm just joking". I was given a PT referral for lymphedema evaluation. However, recovery can be longer for some individuals, potentially taking months. I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction about 3.5 years ago. There's evanmarcus again appearing on the forum with slightly odd remarks.. He said since things were disturbed during surgery it would take a little time to go down and just wear a good supporting bra which I have been doing but nothing has changed. Lol Protect your fingers from needle pricks and sharp objects. I just googled abdominal lymphedema after breast cancer and yes, I'm sure that is", "I'm here because of the bloated stomach I noticed just today. It has been almost a month since we talked and you have had your appointments. She was happy with everything. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322525 But it doesnt worry me and although occasionally uncomfortable it doesnt hurt. It doesn't allow me here. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. It is common however to become easi. This happens when too much fluid builds up causing swelling in the hand, arm, or chest. I was told it was a muscle bulge until I had a CT scan that showed it was a seroma by then it was well established and couldn't be drained so I needed a second operation to remove it.

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