I had my Mastectomy in March 2010 and whilst my scar has been healing well I have had a swelling on where my breast used to be. I have had it looked at numerous times and was told it would go away on its own - It has now become quite bruised and painful and I got it looked at today and was told that its a Hematoma.
I have been told its not infected and will disappear on its own but could take months. Has anyone else had an Hematoma - did it go away and what did you do to help it on its way - I have been told just carry on with exercises and rub bio oil into my breast area. I can’t get a bra to fit properly as it sticks up a bit and is ‘rock’ hard - any advice?
thanks
x
Hi Saffronseed,
Not a lot of help, but the lady l was in hospital with, had a mx then 5 days later she developed a Haemotoma, at first they were going to leave it, then decided as she was already in hospital they would open the stitches and ‘drain’ it! she did have to have a general, she was hoping for it to be done under a local, whether it was because she was in her 80’s and had heart problems, not sure.
Hope someone comes along with a bit more information for you
Good Luck
Sandra xxx
Hi Saffronseed
I developed haematoma after breast reconstruction. I had it drained a couple of times by a radiologist then they decided to leave it and hopefully the body would gradually break it down.
This was in April last year and it did take a few months to settle as I remember, but the body does gradually absorb it. I know by August, when my daughter married, I was not aware of it giving me any problems. Hope this helps.
Cheers
Anne
thanks for the respones… it does seem that I have to sit and wait for it to go away on its own - its not a big deal (just something else to have to put up with)…
Sandra good luck for Weds will be thinking of you and once your surgery is over you can start thinking about the next stage in this wonderful journey that we are all on.
xxx
Hi saffronseed
I had a huge haemotoma after lumpectomy. One surgeon wanted me to go back to theatre the morning after my op to have it drained and the other surgeon said it would gradually be absorbed by the body.
It was black and blue and quite painful and like you it was difficult to find a bra which was comfortable.
It did gradually disappear but took quite a long time probably almost a year to disappear completely but it did get to a reasonably comfortable level after about 5 months.
I never found a remedy for it. Whether bruise remedies might help I don’t know but it is a pain when you just want to be comfortable.
Love to you. Sorry I can’t be more help.
Jan xxx
saffronseed - I don’t know whether it would be worth trying Arnica cream, as this is for bruising. You could also try Arnica tablets if you are into homeopathy. Hope it becomes more comfortable really soon.
Ann x
Hi Saffronseed,
Sorry you’re going through this - just what you don’t need when you’re trying to get better and move on.
I had a massive haematoma after WLE and SNB and was readmitted to hospital a week later to have it removed as I was like a very lopsided Jordan and couldn’t sleep as no position lying down was bearable. After the removal I still looked like I had done 5 rounds with Mike Tyson - bruising up around my neck and down my arm and my boob itself was black.
I have had them before following surgery. This time they discovered a bleeding disorder, but previously I had one after hip surgery that was the size of a rugby ball and took @3 months to disperse.
As you had your surgery in March, it is probably too late for them to remove it surgically without potentially causing the same problem again - you may have a tendency to bleed which has caused this. Painkillers will definitely help and I also found that twice daily light massage with BioOil helped to break down the colour which is dried blood under the skin.
Take care and don’t worry - it will eventually clear up.
E xx