Last week (27th) I had a mastectomy of my left breast and a SLNB, without a drain.
Since surgery, I’ve developed a large seroma In my breast tissue. It’s as though the fluid has filled up the empty space where my breast was, to the point where I don’t even look like I’ve had a mastectomy at all. I could probably fill my usual b-cup size bras if I was wearing bras at the moment!
I understand that seromas are common and that the fluid should be gradually absorbed into my body over time, but it seems to be getting more noticeable each day, and in a weird way, I have been working hard to emotionally prepare myself for being flat on one side, and now I’m not, it is making me feel quite uneasy.
I’ve found a few posts on here from other women who have had seromas, but mainly in the underarm area, and I know they can be aspirated if they cause too much discomfort, but I know some clinics are reluctant to do so due to infection risk.
I suppose I’m just hoping to hear from someone else who might have been through something similar.
Having just read your post it encouraged me to register to the site, so this is my first time on here. Previously I would browse though & find the support/answers I needed at the time. However, I can totally relate to how you are feeling as I went through the same.
On 7th May I had a mastectomy & SNB on my right breast, with no drain, home the same day. I remember in the recovery room taking a peek and thinking ok it’s flat , that’s what I was expecting .
By the 18th May it was as if I’d got my boob back again ! So when looking in the mirror I had a saggy 34B on my left side but on the right side was what looked like a lovely pert one ( minus a nipple & with a scar , but looked good )
Like you I was concerned and emailed a picture to my BCN , she phoned me straight back and said it’s normal , yes it’s a seroma & if it becomes to uncomfortable, they can drain it in the clinic. Before it came to that I was called back in for a full armpit axillary node removal on 28th May & they drained the fluid at the same time. Crazily it was then that I think reality finally kicked in seeing it totally flat . It was only then I could relate to the emotions that come with Cancer & it was the first time I’d cried since my diagnosis.
I guess the swelling gave me a false sense of security, I really dont know . In hindsight I wish I had got it drained after a week of swelling , but when they say ‘let us know if it becomes uncomfortable’ it’s difficult as everyone’s pain threshold is different, and when recovering from surgery you’re already uncomfortable & we don’t know what’s normal or not.
So I guess what I’m saying is you aren’t alone & maybe do what I did and ask if you can send a picture to your BCN as she really did reassure me that it was part of the healing process. Let’s be honest it’s scary being sent home after major surgery & not being able to have a follow up consultation face to face because of Covid 19.
Reading your post prompted me to register on here , so I could let you know you aren’t alone in what you are experiencing.
Like you I had a mastectomy & SNB with no drain on my right breast , this was on 7th May . By 13th May I had what looked like a very pert 34B ( minus the nipple & with a scar , but looked good ! ) next to my saggy one on the left !
I wasn’t overly concerned as my BCN said it’s not uncommon to get a seroma after surgery , it was tender & a little uncomfortable . Due to Covid 19 they weren’t doing face to face appointments so I emailed them a picture , as like you I wanted reassurance it was nothing to worry about . I have to say she was brilliant & phoned back straight away to say it was a seroma and nothing to worry about but if it became to uncomfortable they would drain it in the clinic for me .
Maybe for your own peace of mind get it checked & drained if necessary as by leaving mine it gave me a false sense of security and it hit me hard when it was flat after my axillary node clearance .
Hope this has given you a little peace of mind that you aren’t alone in what you are experiencing .
Hi I had a mastectomy and implant reconstruction surgery in April and developed seroma in the breast area. I had it drained twice and because of my personal experience I would recommend that you discussed this with your surgeon. Ideally aspiration via ultrasound. My seroma fluid was not absorbed by my body.
Hi , I’m in a similar position. Had a mastectomy 22.4.22 for breast cancer recurrence which showed up on a mammogram. (Had a lumpectomy and wide local incision in 1999, followed by chemo and radiotherapy) I now have seroma which was drained (410 mls) on 9.5.22. It’s filled up again and the clinic are reluctant to drain again, due to the risk of introducing infection. Given Letrozole which I took for 10 days until I unfortunately developed Bells Palsy so it was stopped, after I’d been investigated for a suspected stroke. 19.5.22 .