Infected
Infected Hello everyone
Has anyone else had problems with an operation scar infection?
I had my lymph glands removed on 8 June and about five days after the op, a seroma formed and burst - this happened three days running.
After being discouraged from having it drained by my breast care nurse, I ended up going back to the ward because I was so worried, and it has been drained twice since then.
However, the wound is now infected (I’m on antibiotics) and the seroma fluid is constantly dripping out. My breast care nurse is still telling me it does not need draining because sticking a needle in will risk infection. This seems crazy to me as it is already infected.
I’m aware this is horribly trivial compared with what most people are going through on this board, but any advice or comfort anyone can give will really help set my mind at rest. I am so worried this will lead to lymphoma and I don’t know whether to do the arm exercises or not as it is very painful too.
Deborah
for flyright Hi Debrah
Sorry to read that you experiencing problems with infections.
You may find you get more information and support by contacting
our Ask the Nurse email service or phoning our helpline.
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is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm and Saturday, 9am - 2pm.
If you would prefer to correspond by email you can contact our Ask the Nurse email service by going to
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on the site.
Hope you find this information is of help.
Kind regards.
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Breast Cancer Care
i hear any kind of oeration can cause an infection, i guess its just one of those things, you might want to speak with your doctor about this especially if its happened 3 times.
Hope it gets better soon chic
love
Little1
Hello Deborah
I had a WLE and axillary node clearance last December and about 10 days after the operation developed a big seroma under my arm.
The breast care nurse told me to leave it and said the fluid would find its own way out but when I saw the surgeon for my follow up he said it had to be aspirated . He aspirated it straightaway but it filled up again very quickly. He told me to go back if necessary and altogether it had to be aspirated 4 times before it settled down -
I was lucky because mine didn’t burst and didn’t get infected although I have to say 6 months on my underarm is still not really comfortable.
I was advised to continue with the exercises throughout which I did - not too many but perhaps 2 or 3 times a day.
I hope you feel better soon and that it settles down soon. If you are still worried I would go back again and make sure that they keep an eye on it until it is better.
Love Anthi
I had a similar problem in February and went to the hospital to get the seroma drained as it was leaking a lot. Eventually the fluid did stop but like you, I also had a wound infection and was on antibiotics. The wound took about 8 weeks to heal and I only did the exercises very gently as too much seemed to make it worse. I’m now OK and can move my arm and shoulder quite well but I worry about getting lymphoedema. As time goes on it is so easy to forget about lifting things. I carried a bucket of water yesterday and afterwards my armpit felt hard and swollen. I am sure your wound will heal soon but I sympathise as the leaking, lack of movement and dressings are a right pain.
Best wishes
Judith
It’s in the bag! Hi Deborah,
Sorry to hear you have an infection . I had one too after my second op. Like you it leaked everywhere , and so copiously that my BC nurse attached a small stoma bag over the area where all the fluid was leaking. I was able to empty the bag as often as required and only had to go back to hospital once a week to get it checked.The bag was barely noticeable even when full and it kept the infected area covered. If they haven’t offered to do this perhaps you could ask if it would be a suitable solution for you. By the way it took 4 weeks to heal and 3 lots of antibiotics! I carried on with the exercises too when I could, it does pay to if you can.
Good Luck
Margaret