Its hard to get people to understand that. It can cause: swelling pain an increased risk of infection The fluid normally goes away on its own within a few weeks. All Rights Reserved. Weve assembled some tips below to help you get started. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support and answers. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. After eight years in the system and with an excellent BCN I would always use her as my first port of call. Right after surgery, you're limited in your range of motion from the inflammation and tissue healing in your body. It has been almost a month since we talked and you have had your appointments. The dr said that it was lymphatic fluid gathering at the bottom of my breast due to the surgery. I already use compression camisole and do the lymphatic drainage, but the belly is annoying. Jusdt a very thin abdominal wall because muscle has been removed. @aiden727 When breast cancer is present, surgeons will take a few lymph nodes (if not more) to determine the stage and spread of cancer. I noticed I have a bloated stomach when I washed myself up. Your recovery time can depend on a variety of factors, like the type of mastectomy that you had and your overall health. but good woman that she is followed it up by "I'm just joking". How". They suggest using an abdominal binder and more importantly going to a physical therapist trained in lymphatic massage. and feel so much better Thank you. Had part of colon removed in April & did radiospheres as well. 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. Its a good idea to take another person with you the first time you drive after surgery. I had a level one clearance with my lumpectomy and, there was an attempt to take a minimal number of lymph nodes from the arm that hadn't had surgery previously along with my mastectomies. Was told it would get better. Its also possible for numbness to be persistent or chronic. I am really glad you contacted your doctor right away. Because everyone experiences pain differently, the intensity and duration can vary between individuals. Do you think I would benefit from a chest and abdominal binder? This depends on your overall health as well as the type of procedure you had. Mine has in ever since chemo so thought it was from that but other folks noticed it after anesthesia. That pain will subside. I do not get my blood drawn at the cancer center nor the hospital associated with it. I have not had lymphedema per se, but twice now have experienced axillary web syndrome or cording and cannot express to you how important the exercises are. When you can start driving again typically depends on how you feel during recovery. GP has suggested that it is related to my surgery ( I wasn't like this prior) and to get the area scanned. I did find this information which may be helpful to see if there are things in your day-to-day that you can add or modify to support reducing bloating. Youll have difficulty finding clothes, especially if you only have one breast. I hope that your recuperation continues to progress. How long was your tummy swollen for? What are the side-effects they need to be aware of? You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. We spent extra time with our doctors asking questions to help us understand what we were getting into. Get prescriptions or refills through a video chat, if the doctor feels the prescriptions are medically appropriate. This is such a common problem after a mastectomy that I would think doctors would admit that it is a problem and address it. Its important to talk with your surgeon about which specific activities you can do when you get home. Its not just discomfort- as we all know how uncomfortable the tightness can be! Connection & Conversation: Open for the holidays. Another health carrier, Sutter, also offers classes and I found their lymphedema class was even more educational. 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. Do I now walk around in constant discomfort, looking 4 months pregnant? Doing so can help your recovery go as smoothly as possible. All Rights Reserved. Learn more. This can happen if you have a more extensive procedure, such as a radical mastectomy or if you have breast reconstruction during your mastectomy. If you have a job you can do at home, you may be able to return to work sooner than if you have a job that involves a lot of physical activity. Prophylactic mastectomy is surgery to remove breast tissue. The amount of stress on the intercostal nerves could be reduced with less invasive techniques such as the VATS technique. dog_lover Member Posts: 8. About a month after the August surgery my belly became hard and bloated. Mine went undiagnosed, even though they are very common, and meant I needed another operation to remove it. What are some tips for mastectomy recovery? They are not keen to remove the fluid unless it is essential, as it tends to build up again quite quickly. for the first couple of days I could actually hear the fluid moving around, but this has stopped now. Also, try walking to help. If the mastectomy also took lymph nodes out of the armpit, the arm will always have a tendency to swell. I had my mastectomy last December - no recon - and since then, my stomach on mx side looks like I'm pregnant too. Pain management in breast surgery: Recommendations of a multidisciplinary expert panel the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Same response as with the other reply here I saw. I woke up from the first surgery with it. I will probably get the results of that this Friday..I hope. If anyone has a rave review of someone who does MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) in Minneapolis, please share. I am 49 yrs old and have to wear my husbands clothes because I cannot fit my belly into mine. Yes, on a rare occasion I have gas, but that isn't the problem, since it always stays the same even when I have gas and I take care of that problem. Its not uncommon to take several weeks off from work while recovering from surgery both physically and emotionally. When you do this, your care team and loved ones can help provide the support you need during your recovery. I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. I have read some great info though! This morning I noticed swelling in upper left abdomen. There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. My belly seemed almost as big as my boobs were (and that's not small). Keep at your PT and massage and other care. I was given a PT referral for lymphedema evaluation. It may take time to regain that muscle strength. 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). X. Coral 5 months ago in reply to LizzieMillie. I wake up not as bloated then as the day goes on, whether I eat or not, the belly bloats. This results in nerve endings being shredded. PS would physiotherapy help re strengthening other muscles, what to do/not to do etc? Repeat this movement 5 times. Hopefully others will see this and be helped as well. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. Might be worth discussing with hospital team and GP? I just googled abdominal lymphedema after breast cancer and yes, I'm sure that is", "I'm here because of the bloated stomach I noticed just today. If youre unsure if its safe for you to drive, ask your surgeon for their advice. I was stage 1", "Hello @almostoutofthewoods and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Last Thursday, I had a Simple Mastectomy . What happens after breast surgery. I found a certified lymphedema therapist and I will make an appointment. Most of the people faces problem after surgeries but then you must be really cautious about all these problems. Thanks! Be sure if you go to a physical therapist that you confirm that they have been trained in lymphatic massage. My health carrier is Kaiser Permanente and prior to any surgeries, they have patients attend classes guided by physical therapists. 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. Also how can I tell if I have a seroma or just post surgical swelling. Try to make the circle as big as you can and move both shoulders at the same time. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. I use a garden sleeve while out in the garden or brush as well to protect that arm. Is there anyway to tell if this is a hematoma orsomething other than normal -without going back to the doctor? It is common however to become easi. I also wanted to say that it feels like soup one minute and a rugby ball the next ( its also that size!) This is great info. However, some people may have a longer recovery period. Lots of swelling but few if any, caused by pedicle tram recon. Yet another thing to add to the list of 'why don't they forewarn you about these things'?? I think paranoid hyperchondriac is a pretty good label for me right now! 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! Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. The sutures (stitches) the surgeon uses to close your incision will typically dissolve on their own. Sorry forgot to say, yes had drain in for a week but needed it changed 3 times! Complete your request online or contact us by phone. Funny how simple but just needed to hear someone else say go get it checked!, Why would you not wont to go back to your doctor?It could be a seroma. Your tissue has been injured due to the stretching and cutting during surgery. Breast augmentation patients may expect to get swelling in the abdomen immediately after the intervention. It doesn't allow me here. Youll likely need to wait 3 to 4 weeks before resuming other types of exercise. He said since things were disturbed during surgery it would take a little time to go down and just wear a good supporting bra which I have been doing but nothing has changed. During this time, hospital staff will monitor vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). It is best to see your oncologist. I am now on a very strict program of PT, massage, and bandaging to keep the lymphedema under control. "I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction about 3.5 years ago. I had sentinel lymph nodes taken then and later all nodes in R arm. Have a lovely Sunday and again thanks for your reply. Its common to have pain or discomfort after a mastectomy. Backward shoulder rolls. Stomach bloating is generally related to several different factors. I didn't have chemo or radiation and I only took anastrozole for 5.5 months, after bad side effects. breast reconstruction during your mastectomy. I also had my lymph node checked on my left side. She has a direct line to the surgeons and the whole BC team. It's like I'm 8 months pregnant! It stimulates the main lymph drainage areas, in you tummy, back and groin. Like Helpful Hug 2 Reactions REPLY This includes scrubbing, pulling, or pushing. 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). However, recovery can be longer for some individuals, potentially taking months. I have not had reconstruction yet and it has been a year. Recovery from a mastectomy typically takes several weeks. Take your time, but dont ignore the muscles. @almostoutofthewoods There are different lymphedema pads called "swell spots" that are quite helpful. Hi, I've just joined the site, and wondered if anyone can help. Did you get a response? Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. I wondered also if it is because of being on the AI killing off all estrogen if that was having an effect. It can spread to the abdomen due to the lower breast pocket and gravity. Most surgeons seem to feel that the area settles more quickly if it is left to absorb into the surrounding tissues naturally. Please allow me to post it for you. Surprised how many women are experiencing abdominal bloating. I am not fat just looks like a have a basketball under my shirt. I've lost nearly a stone since the op, and have been going to the gym three times a week. Me too. September 2009 edited March 2014 #1. She had me purchase an abdominal binder which I wear only during the day. "I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. Its okay to feel angry and upset at the world for a while. Some individuals may develop chronic pain following a mastectomy. however,had a DIEP and ended up with seroma in the abdomen,which capsulated,and removed surgically.Consequently I ended up with scar tissue and a protruding tummy. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. . Lymphedema is a build-up of lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under your skin. Top answers from doctors based on your search: Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. I don't suppose that this has helped you a lot but I hope it has maybe pointed you in a direction that will help you to find a way out yourself. Wishing you the very best. Also given the line that it just looks bigger because you have no breasts. After time, you will gain back that range of motion assisted by exercise. @delight I think of you often, I apologize that I kind of lose track of conversations. Infections can happen with any surgery. Might be a bonkers idea but have you asked your medical team if anything external could assist (and be safe)? Right after surgery, youre limited in your range of motion from the inflammation and tissue healing in your body. This is typically 3 days or less. Well discuss how long recovery takes, what mastectomy pain is like, and when you can typically return to daily activities. Give yourself patience and space to recover. When you open up your body, youre leaving yourself exposed. A 2018 observational study estimated that 20 to 30 percent of people who undergo breast surgery experience some type of chronic pain. I had sentinel lymph nodes taken then and later all nodes in R arm. Reconstructive surgery can be performed at the same time as your mastectomy surgery. Any update? A mastectomy is designed to take as much breast tissue as the surgeon can, this includes tissue in the arm pit. Performing specific exercises after a mastectomy or breast reconstruction can help keep the range of motion in your shoulder and arm, relieve stiffness and pain, and reduce swelling. I am large busted and the gravity pulls it down. Thank you Jolamine, very helpful, at least I know what to look out for. Your surgeon may prescribe a pain medication to take after you leave the hospital. 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. does it eventually go down? I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. As always, I stress that I am by no means an expert in this area. So, any treatment, or have they just said that it will go on its own eventually? Interested in more discussions like this? Its vital that you continue to do these arm and shoulder exercises regularly as you recover. Lymphadema is a very distressing problem. It took 4-6 months before I could comfortably do sit-ups without swelling or pain. What Causes Stomach Bloating After Breast Augmentation Surgery?

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