Background: Had prophylactic right side mastectomy with tissue expander. On left side had ld flap with permanent prosthesis. Both sides have port for saline inflation.
However its now been 3 weeks since the operation and when I went to see the consultant on Thursday she noticed that on my left side near the drain site and where the scar runs, that it is swollen right up. Its horrible, it feels like a sponge and is very uncomfortable. She said its a haematoma and tried drawing it out with a needle, but after 4 attempts nothing would come out. She said my body would probably absorb it but nothing seems to be happening. Has anyone else experienced this?
Hi Krissi, I had a very stubborn seroma after my mx & ld flap, but it was regularly drained for 9 weeks, sometimes as much as 500mls. It was very spongy and sore. Eventually, they stopped draining due to Chemo, it did reabsorb but although I am now 12 months post op there is still some residual fluid left. Maybe if it does not does resolve with draining it might need to be treated with further surgery. Maybe your BCN or the helpline can advise. X
I had MX and LD flap on 25th Jan. Final drain out on 31st and discharged. Only 3 days home and I had developed a seroma on my back (I was told this would happen) which was bothering me. So I rang BCN and she said to ring the ward and arrange for it draining, which I had done the same day (100mls). After a few days it was bothering me agin, but I managed to last until my clinic appoinment (6 days)(105mls). Couldn’t face a weekend when I may not be able to get it drained, so went again 2 days later to the ward (70mls).
I am now holding out until my clinic appointment tomorrow (6 days). I’m getting used to having a tender back and didn’t fancy an extra trip to hospital.
I’m hoping to keep draining to no more than once a week. Fortunately I do not need chemo, so will not have to stop for that reason.
Tina: What do you call regular? Did it get better towards the end of the 9 weeks?
How often/how long have others had to have the seroma in the back due to LD flap?
Krissi: Have you asked your BCN about draining. She probably has more experience and may be better at it.
Hi bluebird, had it drained once a week for nine weeks and even once Chemo started it was still going. Some units inject steroids, they did one injection but it didn’t work. There is still a spongy pocket there now, but they won’t do anymore on it. BCN said to wear tight garments to help the body reabsorb. Hope your seroma settles soon. X
i had ld flap last sept I had my seroma drained 4 times every 3 weeks approx and each time about 400ml.felt like I was carrying a hot water bottle around especially when I tipped to one side that was a very unpleasant feeling.
I was told once it got down to 100ml they would not touch it as each time they drained it it was a possible infection risk, last one was 130ml and all ok now little squishy round drain site. i had a large swelling on my backside as fluid had drained down but this has also been reabsorbed slowly over the last few months.
I had a steroid injection in my back to help with fluid build up on first draining.
My bcn did all this for me.