DIEP- belly bulge and swelling weeks after DIEP Surgery

[jillybee]

My BCN. Nurse hadn't come across this in a DIEP. In 15 years.Just very unlucky.It was hard emotionally as I had come to the end of the pathway with my DIEP so surgeon slightly dismissive.Transfered back to my breast sugeon,who was marvellous.She tried so hard but not succesful....consequently eneded up with scar tissue...it is manageable though,and cancer free,and have lovely boobs.💞

[Vickio]

I am so sorry to hear that. I have read recently that a lot of women have problems with hernias and ab muscle healing after DIEP and go on to have further surgeries. Not as many as TRAM but still a concern. I will have to wait and see.

[Vickio]

Hi there, i am in your exact position and wondered how your tummy situation was resolved. I am getting conc erned about the hardness and sweliling at 6 weeks. I had a skin graft on one breast last week and my PS also fixed my ab dog ears and checked for fluid. No seroma.  She feels its just normal swelling abd will lipo extra 'fat' at stage 2. But this feels And looks so hard. thanks.

[jillybee]

Had 2 more lots of sugery last year,however ends up with scar tissue in abdomen,so still have swelling...so,not resolved and stuck with it.Thanks for asking.💓💓💓

[Vickio]

Hi just came across this old thread. I am now where you were! How did things resolve for you?

[aly3]

Thanks Jillybee 559

[jillybee]

Yes,it is adviced.It also helps support you,hence aids comfort.I wear one,still.Keep us posted....

[aly3]

Hi Jillybee559,
Saw my PS and he gave me a compression band to wear for 3 weeks and then we will re-evaluate to see if the body absorbed some of the fluid in belly area. Have you heard of wearing compression bands to help with fluid retention?
Aly3

[jillybee]

Have sent you a private message.Wondering how you got on.Am now 5 months post DIEP,and still have seroma,which the CT scan showed it has capsulated.Now on waiting list for ultra sound and aspiration.If this doesn't work,for surgery.This is very unusual,however,recognised as a post op complication.It will go,but there doesn't seem to be a time factor in all this,so just have to go with it.Take care Aly3.x

[aly3]

Would love to read blog. I have fluid build up in tummy region- 6 weeks post DIEP surgery and am now wearing a compression band to help body absorb fluid- but may need to have fluid aspirated.
aly3
Thanks,
aly3

[aly3]

Would love more info on Seroma's and how long it usually takes for the body to absorb that extra fluid- I know everyone heals differently, but my surgery was 6 weeks ago and have a lot of fluid in my abdomen area. My PS gave me a compression band to wear for 3 weeks and then he will re-evaluate.  May need to have ultrasound and have fluid aspirated.

Thanks,

aly3

[Duffer56]

Hi, I had a DIEP 18months ago and had a persisent seroma leak from the tummy site. I did a blog at the time (and since) - pm me if you would like to take a read

[jillybee]

Sounds scary,but does happen with any trauma,and can be aspirated or just left and let the body absorb the fluid.I don't regret having the DIEP at all......however,sometimes these things occur and the Doctors are well used to it.Just with me,for some reason,my tummy has gone hard,hence CT scan....How long will it take?????no answer for that.However,is picked up on post op checks.Not painful,just uncomfortable....and resolvable ...take care.Where you having it done.I went to regional hospital in East Anglia.

[drdspg]

I am due to have a DIEP on the 22nd. Abdominal seroma sounds a bit scary? Have things improved? Have they told you how long it is likely to take?

[aly3]

I am able to lie on back- not tummy yet as was not cleared by PS to lie on belly!  I do have some back pain as was hunched over for 2 weeks following surgery and could not straighten up due to tightness in belly and incision areas.  I have been seeing a chiropractor for my back and has helped tremendously.  I see my PS this Wed., so will let you know what he says. I did have an xray few weeks following sx because I was complaining of tightness in belly so oncologist ordered abdominal xray and all was clear.  My breasts are still very tender- I went from a C to small B size cup, but happy with size.

I am on facebook (- look me up and I will friend you).

[jillybee]

My swelling is about 2inches below breasts ,and down to scar.Tummy is numb.Can eat OK but get heart burn and short of breath.Unable to lie flat on back or on tummy.The draining helped as tummy was like a jelly.
Went for 3 month check up end of October,Dr. took one look at my tummy and referred me for a scan.Sid the seroma had either capsulated or hernia.
Get results 2nd Jan.Did say I would probably need further surgery.
I live East of England.On FB,are you??

[aly3]

Thanks for your response.  My swelling is widespread- from below breasts to incision line below belly button.  My stomach all feels numb- like pins and needles and feels like everything is swollen from within, (which it is). I feel more bloated after I eat and feel as though I get full quite quickly after any meal.  I do better with small portions every few hours, otherwisw I feel a larger bulge with stomach distention and look 5 months pregnaant-very uncomfortable.  I see my PS Wed- Dec 31st so hopefully will get some answers.  Did the draining of fluid help you- did they say yours was a seroma.  I thought a seroma was more confined to areas like a lumpectomy and not the whole tummy region, but makes sense as the reason for such a tummy bulge. And yes, I live in the USA- north of New York City. And you?

Did your CT scan from few weeks ago reveal anything?  You still have the bloated look- do you feel numbness throughout tummy region or has that subsided?

[jillybee]

OK....first of all,still early days.
You live in America?not that it makes any difference,just interesting .
May be seroma,which can get aspirated ......but I have the same as you,I think,and you are the first one I have come across.I had fluid,(DIEP)24thJuly this year,drained 600mls,8 weeks post op,and then 400mls a few weeks later.Now have hard tummy,look about 5months pregnant.Had CT scan a couple of weeks ago,seeing Surgeon 2nd Jan.
Not painful,but uncomfortable and after having op,just want to get back to normal.
Let us know how you get on,on 31st.
...

[aly3]

I had DIEP surgery on Nov 17, 2014 and although I am happy with the way my breasts look, I still have stomach swelling and buldging and numbness in abdomen area 6 weeks post DIEP surgery. I had my surgery at Memorial  Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.  I had stage 2 breast cancer (left breast), finished chemo and now continuing with Herceptin and Pertuzamab biological tx until July.  The cancer was Not in my Lymph nodes Thank God -I choose to do double mast and DIEP reconstruction rather than implants and very happy with that decision.  My biggest concern now is the swelling/numbness/pins and needle feeling I am experiencing in my belly area- look pregnant with stomach distension and buldging 6 weeks post op from DIEP- Has anyone experienced this and when will it subside??? 

Going to my PS next Wed 12/31/14

Need Feedback please-  Thanks, Aly3