Hi All
In May 2026 i had a bilateral mastectomy and full lymph node clearance (26 in total)
Shortly after surgery, I developed significant swelling in my right arm and hand. Initially, the swelling would come and go, but eventually it became persistent. There was some discussion about whether it was too early to diagnose lymphoedema. The lymphoedema team diagnosed it at around 4–5 weeks after surgery, whereas my breast surgeon and breast nurses felt it was still early and could potentially be post-operative swelling.
I continued exercising and tried to perform self-lymphatic drainage massage. Interestingly, this week the swelling has suddenly improved significantly. However, since the swelling has gone down, I’ve noticed considerably more pain, particularly in the palm of my right hand.
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar — pain becoming more noticeable or worsening as the swelling reduced? If so, did it settle with time as your arm and hand adjusted to moving more freely again, without the restriction from the fluid?
Many Thanks
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Hi Julie5
I haven’t had the same experience but early on after surgery I had some swelling in my arm and hand. It went quite quickly after I started gentle massage of my arm. Since then I massage every day and have had no more trouble with it.
Pain seems to be something that fluctuates dramatically after surgery. I hope someone can give you helpful advice regarding this.
xxx
Hi @julie5
I developed lymphoedema in my right arm about a year after radiotherapy that ended about 6 months after my right sided mastectomy that haoo3nded in January 2021.
It was a dull ache and a funny heavy/pressure feeling that had me calling my BCN team and then going on to be disagnosed by the lymphoedema team.
It’s never hurt and it is well managed with my cuffs (no one gives a hoot about me wearing one), gentle exercise and looking after my skin - family and friends comment that my arms are as smooth as a baby’s bum! It only aches now if I over do things - too much chopping down of an overgrown bush the other day, carrying something way too heavy. This weather hasn’t really affected it - a tiny bit but I could not say hand on heart. The ache is difficult to describe - it’s not like my arthritis ache or say a headache.
I had a flare up after a year as I was having to help my husband to move around. That never hurt either it just felt heavier and more achy - as it had stolen up by quite a bit.
Now I’m only 6-7% over the size of my unaffected arm - only a tiny bit off normal variance.
I am no professional but it seems very early post-op to confirm lymphoedema. Post-op swelling can present in different ways (I can confirm that because I used to be a nurse). Lymphoedema pain is lower down on the symptoms list.
I’d have another chat with your team.
Good luck
AnGELa x