It stimulates the main lymph drainage areas, in you tummy, back and groin. Did you get a response? Be sure if you go to a physical therapist that you confirm that they have been trained in lymphatic massage. All rights reserved. Pleased if that helped spark further ideas. Its frustrating that doctors dont take lymphedema more seriously, but I guess theyre just focused on ridding us of the cancer. Then revision surgery on August 3rd. My advice to other breast cancer ladies out therePUSH FOR EDUCATION AND MONITORING for lymphedema as you go into this process, push for monitoring after your surgery and never let doctors tell you that you won't/can't get lymphedema. It has been almost a month since we talked and you have had your appointments. I was only Stage 1 and the doctors were fairly certain I didn't have spread to my lymph nodes. I try to get walking in and gym but doesnt seem to help. Interested in more discussions like this? Hi Delight, welcome. Interested in more discussions like this? FYI @almostoutofthewoods. My doctor okayed me to have PT to work on the lymphedema. However, it is important to remember that it is generally not harmful. so glad it's not just me!!!! I do not get my blood drawn at the cancer center nor the hospital associated with it. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. , Well my results turned out different I went for a colonoscopy and an endoscopy today and my doctor said that I could possibly have a hiatal hernia I will be able to confirm it Monday because I'm having a CT scan with contrast and they're supposed to let me know something but so far that's what they say my bump is I pray everybody figures out what theirs is. Abdominal swelling post-chemo clier Member Posts: 29 October 2009 edited March 2014 #1 So, I've just finished 6 months Folfox + Avastin, every other week. I was given a PT referral for lymphedema evaluation. I finally started passing gas late on Saturday and began having bowel movements late on Sunday. An abdominal CT was normal. and feel so much better Thank you. Good luck and persevere it is your body and you that needs to live with it. So my bulge has added about 20cm to my circumference which is really pronounced when moving from laying to sitting - it looks like one side is flat and the other raises up like its own separate pregnancy! It's like I'm 8 months pregnant! I started this thread back in 2013/4 so there have been lots of views and posts since then. The doctors kept telling me I wouldn't get lymphdema with just one node removed. I had mastectomy and TRAM flat reconstruction on April 6, 2020. However, some breast cancer patients will be shocked to feel brief bouts of sharp pain in their breast months, even years later. There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. Also wearing an abdominal binder is recommended. The hospital and my surgeon said", "I have mild lymphedema in one arm after a bilateral mastectomy where seventeen lymph nodes were", "@chamisa See my post below. Keep at your PT and massage and other care. Chronic pain after mastectomy happens due to nerve damage. I already use compression camisole and do the lymphatic drainage, but the belly is annoying. Re: Abdominal swelling after surgery - has anyone else had this? Regular massage, especially deep tissue, can be harmful. Keep a close, very close eye on any cuts (even the". You should be off narcotic pain medication before driving again. Not standard mastectomy. I had left mastectomy and few lymph nodesleft side bloating/swelling4 months post op. Abdominal swelling after surgery - has anyone else Daily life after a primary breast cancer diagnosis. All rights reserved. If you had a mastectomy without breast reconstruction, youll be given a prosthesis to wear. Maximum swelling usually occurs 3-5 days after your surgery and it will generally go away completely in two weeks and even as early as 5 to 7 days. It may also be difficult to sleep flat for a while. I had no reconstruction and try to go to gym and walk 3 times a week but doesnt seem to help. Like Helpful Hug I was discussing my request for lymphedema consideration when I went for blood work etc. Your recovery time can depend on a variety of factors, like the type of mastectomy that you had and your overall health. I had a double mastectomy10 years ago. My stomach from pelvis to breast had to be quilted inside to prevent another seroma forming. Copyright 2000-2022 Cancer Survivors Network. However, the surgeon got a little ambitious and created a lot of damage on my left side to remove the node. They were wrong (and @trixie1313 ) I too have Kaiser and I wish my care had been as complete as yours.sigh. What were your test results? I am just wondering what was the outcome for you? Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Hahaha. Thank you! Im going to email my surgeons with all those questions you dont ask at the time ! The hospital and my surgeon said the swelling was not swelling, they said my stomach appeared to me to be swollen because I did not have breasts. So, for now, Im sticking with my detox tea, exercise and yoga to try to get my body back in balance. but good woman that she is followed it up by "I'm just joking". Then she went out and got me fruits and a big salad to push the greens. I saw this video yesterday on youtube explaining swelling after surgery by Dr. William Miami. So, yes, I have lymphedema and the massage moved a lot of fluid out. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? Don't leave it to get better on its own as the longer the fluid is there the harder it seems to get rid of it. Your nurse or doctor can drain the fluid with a needle and syringe if the seroma is painful. Again, if the skin, extra skin is left and there's sort of like a old apple, so to speak, sort of gnarly and, and what have you, it, it could . Sooooo frustrating. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. Its important to stick to your recovery plan. It amy require treatment with Dr. Pamela Pappas and another doctor agree. During this time, theyll evaluate your progress, discuss any additional treatments (if needed), and address any concerns you may have. I try to keep the topic steered towards my experience, or that of others that I know of personally. I've just had a CT scan. That is great informationI'm going to check into belly binder. Last Thursday, I had a Simple Mastectomy and Sentenal Node Biopsy. I never was informed about the possibility of lymphedema at all by any medical person, but an acquaintance had it so at least I was aware. @chamisa We are always here for you. Not do vigorous, repetitive movements against resistance with the affected arm. Eighteen ways to reduce bloating: Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Hi, I've just joined the site, and wondered if anyone can help. It's handy to rest things on, I guess! I had my mastectomy last December - no recon - and since then, my stomach on mx side looks like I'm pregnant too. My doctor was reluctant to admit lymphedema was a potential problem but finally relented and made the referral. Surprised how many women are experiencing abdominal bloating. Use a towel to dry your incision thoroughly after showering. I wear the abdominal binder during the day at work and the shorts if I'm relaxing around the house etc.. Try to get a lymphadema clinic referral as knowing the correct way to massage the lymph system is very important. Connection & Conversation: Open for the holidays. I had a drain in on either side and developed a couple of Seroma. October 2003 #5. I also had my lymph node checked on my left side. yes . Thank you Carr for the valuable information. I have read some cases where bilateral mastectomy gets the lymphatic system out of balance. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. Possible problems after mastectomy. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. (I dont like regular lymphedema compression sleeves but I do like Solidea brand items, which my therapist recommended.) My seroma was only found after I had a full body scan when a primary was found in my second breast. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. @chamisa See my post below. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. Hugs to all. Now I will insist on therapy for abdomen as well as arms. My daughter did make me laugh when I showed her my belly. Hearing the words, You have cancer, creates many emotional scars. Of course, I could just be obese in that area. If youre scheduled for a lung cancer surgery, you may have a lot of questions about the procedure and the recovery process. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. Once the fluid was aspirated, it almost immediately felt a lot better. I had my mx last December and unless I wear my prosthesis I look pregnant - not a good look LOL x. Hi, thank you for responding. Following bilateral Mx I had failed implants and was completely flat.My tummy appeared to be really fat,as wasn't balanced out. After you wake up from the anesthesia, you may notice that you have: Youll be given pain medication to help ease discomfort. Swelling, edema and ascites Swelling or edema is a build-up of fluid in the tissues. Ask to see a lymphedema specialist for help. All the best to you. Its vital that you continue to do these arm and shoulder exercises regularly as you recover. Please support The Breast Cancer Site by adding us to your ad blockers whitelist ads help us to support those fighting Breast Cancer. Once the month-long class is completed, as patients we do those twice weekly at home and for me it takes about 30 minutes. Also given the line that "it just looks bigger because you have no breasts". You should go to a certified lymphedema therapist, or CLT. In addition to general pain or discomfort, its possible to feel: Chronic pain after a mastectomy may be more common in people who: There are many potential treatments for chronic pain after mastectomy. As it turned out there were no lymph nodes removed, just some fatty tissue. pouch left in armpit. Can you get breast cancer after mastectomy. Thanks for you input. Be careful not to touch or remove the steri-strips or sutures. @trixie1313 yes, am pursuing that. It is still early days for you after your operation, so you can expect it to still be slightly tender and swollen. Another time I got a call from a nurse in my doctors office about adding patient requests blood be drawn from the foot because of breast cancer. The nurse made a comment about good luck with that (my words). According to the American Cancer Society, most women can return to their normal activities in about 4 weeks. @mariahpendl, I wanted to check in. YES, we discussed loss of feeling and sensation in my breasts and armpits. I am paying the price now and 'paying' includes pain, anxiety and huge bills from my hospital stay and follow ups (I'm just 62 now and so no medicare to soften the financial blow). Any update? does it eventually go down? Connection & Conversation: Open for the holidays. After eight years in the system and with an excellent BCN I would always use her as my first port of call. I had sentinel lymph nodes taken then and later all nodes in R arm. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. During this time, hospital staff will monitor vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure. The recovery from mastectomy is different for everyone. Pain immediately after your mastectomy will make you feel like you were crushed by a ton of bricks. You have 3 options: All, I am 5 weeks post double MX and have the belly swelling you describe. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. I'm not familiar with the details of this type of procedure or the complication which has occurredjust very sorry you have found yourself in this situation. If it's just mild swelling, sometime it is just due to bloated intestines.If the gastrectomy was several weeks or months ago, the considerations include ascites (abdominal fluid), a hernia, versus tumor regrowth.Talk with your surgeon to learn more. Last Thursday, I had a Simple Mastectomy . I am on Cefadroxil, which does make me nauseous if I take it on an empty stomach. But on the best positive ever i am 5 years clear . Gone up several sizes despite losing weight. Lymphadema is a very distressing problem. Recovery After surgery, a tight bandage is usually applied to the treatment area. However, there are many ways you can set yourself up for an easier recovery. It sounds as if you are doing fairly well. Hi, I had my mastectomy in April, and ever since the op I've had upper abdominal swelling. Thanks again. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support and answers. Youll likely need to wait 3 to 4 weeks before resuming other types of exercise. Instead have been doing core exercises and strength training from the Physical Therapy Dept at our facility. She has a direct line to the surgeons and the whole BC team. (2020). That is great informationI'm going to check into belly binder. Activities in about 4 weeks before resuming other types of exercise due to nerve.! Month-Long class is completed, as was n't balanced out when I showed her my belly to... Staff will monitor vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure, and answers did make me when. I was given a PT referral for lymphedema consideration when I showed her belly! Found after I had a drain in on either side and developed a couple seroma. The lymphedema are for informational purposes only work and the whole BC team how you on.: all, I had a mastectomy without breast reconstruction, youll be given a PT referral lymphedema! Youll likely need to wait 3 to 4 weeks before resuming other of! 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