Three weeks post mastectomy - wound care and swelling advice

[YorkshireJ]

Thanks Jill.

Mine starts just before the underarm and extends under the arm like a squishy pancake. Like yours, it seems to make my node scar hurt. And makes it tricky to wear a bra at the moment.

 X

[Jill1998]

My seroma was under my arm and it felt like I had a tennis ball under there and it was pushing horribly on my node removal scar . It felt wonderful when they drained it but it soon filled up again .and I was told they try to avoid draining them because of the risk of infection and that most seromas are just absorbed by the body .I hope your resolves soon .

[YorkshireJ]

Hi Jill1998,

That’s really helpful, to know that if can just go on its own. And quickly. The nurses don’t really give you much idea, and I know it will vary by person, but examples of timings is useful.

It is uncomfortable, and gets in the way of my exercises and being able to wear a bra. So I’m just swinging with my one boob.

[Jill1998]

Hi , I that sounds really uncomfortable ☹️ I had my seroma drained once but it filled up again pretty quickly . I arranged to have it done again but almost overnight it disappeared - that would be about 4 weeks after my op .

[YorkshireJ]

I’m now 3 weeks post-mastectomy. I’m still on meds for an infection of the drain site, which is still under a dressing. This means that I can’t get a full shower, but can do 3/4. I still daren’t wash my hair because it would inevitably round down into the scar, including the drain area. I’m just hoping the second lot of antibiotics does the trick.

My scar is starting to feel tight and dry, although that’s not helped by a huge sausage shaped seroma running vertically next to my armpit, and a more rounded swollen area under the arm. And not being able to get a proper shower doesn’t help.

What have you found helped with your scar area and the tightness?

And how long did it take for your seroma to dissipate?