How long before your Seroma disappeared?

[Lisa_x]

Hi,
I've had 2 seromas, one after mx and I would describe exactly as you have, like a hot water bottle. I didn't have it drained and it settled down after about 1 month (I had rads on the area 5 weeks after mx).
I had the other seroma after my diep recon on my tummy and it was under my diep scar. It was quite gross as it leaked out of thescare. I had this drained once and they didn't want to do it again because of the risk of infection. That seroma settled down after about 8 weeks. I did wear big supportive pants which helped I think. I found it was better in the morning and quite uncomfortable at night. Have you tried awearing something tight and supportive across your chest? Maybe a stretchy Lycra type vest, like a sports one? Xxxxx

[elinda45]

It's so variable. Some women have it drained once and it settles, others a couple of times and some of us took longer. Mine took 4 months to settle and I had it drained quite a few times. The important thing is that although it may not seem like it ever will, it does eventually dry up and disappear.
My chemo wasn't delayed and I had it drained literally the day of first chemo when my bloods were good and my infection risk low but then I could not have it done again after chemo and before rads. I had minimal seroma fluid during chemo anyway so that was okay. I had the final one done before rads and then it settled down completely.

Don't get disheartened. Hopefully for all of you with seromas this will be a quick process and they'll settle very quickly.
Elinda x

[applestreet]

PS..it took 10 weeks to settle down...

[applestreet]

Hi..I had right Mx 19 months ago and had a seroma drained 3 times...I was a C cup to start with and my seroma was about a B cup..it settled down after the 3rd drain..it wasn't uncomfortable or painful in any way but my chemo was delayed because of the risk of infection...apple

[Milo1]

hi Lynnq, I also had a bilateral mx, seroma was drained three times on my left side and eventually was told it would have to get better on its own, unfortunately it took over a year to clear, however it did go and although not happy with my new shape do feel slightly better now that everything has settled down. good luck xx

[Melrose15]

Hi Lynnq. Poor you it's annoying isn't it? I'm also nearly 6 weeks post mx and had a seroma which gave me a lot of discomfort. I had it drained twice, they then said they'd leave it as there was risk of infection. However my wound wouldn't heal and after a bout of antibiotics it improved and along with that the pain and discomfort subsided. The onc now thinks the seroma was infected. 😞
Anyway Lynn it still lingers and like you I'm told it will eventually go. What has helped is massaging my arm, armpit and chest with e45 cream. I got a huge bottle on prescription, free! Although I now has some cording . . Ouch!
Hope you continue to recover well. Take care and hugs Emma xx

[chicita]

Hi Lynnq - I had a seroma drained a month ago and it's back even bigger than before. I'm going to the hospital next week to get it checked but I reckon they'll just drain it again. I'm not sure why they happen but mine is extremely uncomfortable. I hope your breast care team are keeping an eye on it.
Good luck
X Yvonne

[Gill_567]

Sorry Lynnq - can't help with this one (had seroma drained following WLE)... but thought best to bump to a wider audience. Good luck, Gill

[Lynnq]

My surgery was just over 6 weeks ago. I had a bilateral mastectomy and have a seroma on the left side. It is not painful just uncomfortable.
Compared to some of the posts I have read on these forums it is not enormous....I compare it to a hot water bottle sitting where my breast used to be (but without the heat) Some days it seems fuller than others.
I can quite understand that they say they'd rather not drain it because (a) it could introduce infection and (B) it would probably just come back again.
When I ask how long it will take to go away they just say "It could be some time."
I would like to know if this could be weeks, months or years.
Can anyone tell me how long their's took to go.
thanks