mastectomy scar

hi im new! had a mastectomy 6 weeks ago - the scar filled with fluid and they drained it once but it filled again - the breast care nurses advised me to leave it and it will slowly be absorbed into the body, but now the fluid has gone hard and lumpy and is distorting the scar and looks dreadful - they keep giving me contradicting advice and I am not too sure of what to do…

Hello Coralita,

 

It is such a pain isn’t it?  You go through so much and things just keep on coming.  I had my op in June 2017.  I  do not have fluid along my scar as yourself but I do have small area that sticks out horizontally from my scar.  It used  to be quite squidgy but at last  feel it was harder.  Last year, I was concerned about another area and so got checked out for recurrence.  I asked about the horizontal area as well and was told it was a seroma (collection of fluid).  They said that they could drain it but it would very likely just keep coming back again until reabsorbed.  Hence very similar to the advice you were given.  I have just left it. However, I do keep a check on the scar and surrounding areas and would get anything I am unsure about checked out. 

 

If you are worried about any specific changes in the scar or surrounding areas then it may be better getting it checked at the breast clinic again / inform them that you are finding the advice you are getting confusing and that you need clarity.

Best Wishes to you,

Chick x

 

 

 

Hi coralita 

I had a very similar story to yours in Dec 18. 

I had a right sided Mx, I was discharged on the same day, the next day the early discharge nurses came over to check my drains, my scar although only one day old, had filled up with fluid and hardened. 

I was taken into hospital the same day, had a second surgery the following day. I had a haematoma, personally I think I was discharged too soon. The early discharge nurse said they discharge early, due to reducing the risk of infection. !!!

I was bleeding from the mx site on my first discharge, it can be a very frightening experience, if I were you, I would speak to another BCN, just to put your mind at rest. 

Lots of love