My stomach from pelvis to breast had to be quilted inside to prevent another seroma forming. Most people who have a mastectomy only need a short hospital say. Lung Cancer Surgery Recovery Time: How Long Does It Take? I do not get my blood drawn at the cancer center nor the hospital associated with it. But they can also become swollen with the products of digestion gas, digestive juices, poop and urine or with pregnancy, in the case of the uterus or, rarely, with internal bleeding. Webabdominal swelling after mastectomypo box 27503 raleigh, nc 27611 urgent open immediately. You have had a double mx but don't say you have been reconstructed, so no tummy interference. Gone up several sizes despite losing weight. This can include: Its very important to carefully follow all of these instructions after you return home. Solid organs include the liver, spleen, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries and uterus. All rights reserved. Possible causes and risk factors Keep a close, very close eye on any cuts (even the". 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, there are many ways you can set yourself up for an easier recovery. I contacted the nurse today, she is getting in touch with the surgeon who will hopefully arrange to drain the fluid in the next couple of daysi hope so anyway as it's starting to get a little uncomfortable and actually looks like my boob is growing back! Rodis. When can I resume my normal activities after a mastectomy? Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support and answers. I have a small build up of fluid but what I am finding to be far worse at the moment is that I have had an allergic reaction to my wound dressing. You should A 2018 observational study estimated that 20 to 30 percent of people who undergo breast surgery experience some type of chronic pain. it took me a year to have my abdominal swell to be identified but when it was I was told it was a common side effect. Management of Chronic Abdominal Distension and Bloating. Give yourself patience and space to recover. She had me purchase an abdominal binder which I wear only during the day. In: Knoop KJ, Stack LB, Storrow AB, Thurman R. eds. If people got proper training, they would know about lymphedema and be able to give proper treatment. Abdominal muscle weakness, which causes the abdominal contents to sag outwards and downwards (enteroptosis). This was at a cancer center that was connected to a hospital that had a trauma center! It's like I'm 8 months pregnant! Prevention is easier if you know the cause. Have a lovely Sunday and again thanks for your reply. I bought the 9" abdominal binder from the medical store called Aids for Recovery. I am due to have my seroma surgical removed on Tuesday 22 July. The swelling is in the left breast and side, naturally, but also in the groin area, upper and lower abdomen, and across my back by my shoulder blades. Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type. Heartburn: Heartburn, or dyspepsia, is abdominal pain or burning along with bloating or feeling full after meals. Seromas may be uncomfortable and lengthen your recovery time, but they arent cancerous. I am glad to hear that all now seems to have healed and that you are doing ok. Have you got any further treatment planed? Can a Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Be Performed at the Same Time? WebIt can cause: swelling pain an increased risk of infection I will call tomorrow! A chronic case may be treated supplementally with diuretics (for fluid), laxatives (for constipation) or activated charcoal capsules (for gas). I have read some great info though! About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. My health carrier is Kaiser Permanente and prior to any surgeries, they have patients attend classes guided by physical therapists. Janie x. Firstly, welcome to the Forum. When you had your mastectomy, did you choose to have reconstruction? A good tip would be to place commonly used items like clothes, toiletries, plates, and utensils within easy reach. Weberath county rant and rave; springfield, mo jail inmates; essex county hospital center jobs; blanching vs non blanching erythema; star trek next generation cast salaries pennymac insurance claim check tracker. If you have functional abdominal distension and the cause is unknown, it might take some trial and error to manage it. Good luck. How long will I be recovering from a mastectomy? This swelling is called a seroma. If I had gone for reconstruction, I couldn't do this. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on. Drink more water and eat more fiber to prevent the accumulation of waste. And. The only exception to this is when I go swimming. She has a direct line to the surgeons and the whole BC team. I had a mastectomy and few lymph nodes removal nearly 7 weeks ago and have exactly the same symptoms you have described. My seroma was only diagnosed after a scan. My body is as important to me now as it was when I was younger. May I ask if you had reconstruction after your mx? Depending on which prosthesis I wear, I seem to find my boobs either round my neck or near my waist. It is This drain is a plastic tube from under the skin to outside your body with a bulb attached to it. Dr. Harness comments on the degree of swelling a woman should expect after her double mastectomy. WebBreast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) removes the cancer and just enough tissue to get all the cancer. Possible problems after mastectomy. Once the month-long class is completed, as patients we do those twice weekly at home and for me it takes about 30 minutes. Thanks for you input. If they suspect muscle weakness as a cause, they might suggest abdominal or pelvic floor exercises. This feeling is due to nerve damage that can happen during the surgery. This meant that the skin there was unsuitable for grafting. Barlotta KS, Stack LB, Knoop KJ. Me too. My drainage was carried out by my breast care nurse. How to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer: 10 Lifestyle Recommendations, a dressing or bandage to cover your incision and keep it clean, a surgical drain to help blood and fluid drain from the surgical site, how to care for your incision, including how to bathe or shower, which exercises to do to promote range of motion in your arm and shoulder and how often to do them, what you may expect as far as pain, numbness, or other sensations, how to recognize signs of complications, like infections or lymphedema, when you can start doing certain activities again, such as household chores, driving, and wearing a bra, experienced acute, severe postmastectomy pain, bleeding from the surgical site thats more than you were told to expect, redness, swelling, or pain around your incision, an area thats red, tender, or feels warm to the touch, unexplained swelling around the surgical site, which could be signs of a, persistent swelling in your arm or hand, which can be a sign of, a notebook for tracking medications or for writing down questions to ask your surgeon during your follow-up appointment, a wedge pillow to help keep you propped up in bed or on the couch. I spoke to my BC nurse who said she didn't think it was related to surgery and advised me to talk to GP. I have mild lymphedema in one arm after a bilateral mastectomy where seventeen lymph nodes were removed. Its often accompanied by the feeling of being bloated with trapped gas or digestive contents. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. Learn more. I had 4 drains whilst I was in hospital. WebRe: Abdominal swelling after surgery - has anyone else had this? Did any of you get a diagnosis? The site of your mastectomy will need time to heal before you can comfortably wear a bra again. Still having regular bowel movements and there is really no pain. Reconstructive surgery can be performed at the same time as your mastectomy surgery. The op was eleven and a half hours but was so worth it. I guard my hands and arms like you wouldnt believe. Registered Office: Fifth Floor, Ibex House, 4247 Minories, London EC3N 1DY. Lymphedema after cancer surgery to the lower body can cause swelling to the stomach and genitals as well as swelling in the legs and feet leading to loss of mobility and swelling severe enough to make it difficult to fit into a pair of pants or even socks, explained Herman Kattlove, MD, MPH, Medical Editor for the American Cancer Society in Its also possible for numbness to be persistent or chronic. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. 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. Any ideas? The thought and the fear of the operation was horrendous, but i have come out the other side and don't regret anything. The location of the outward curve, whether it's uniform across your abdominal cavity or more pronounced in a particular region, helps them determine which organs are involved and narrow down the list of likely causes. 2019may not have turned out as I expected but thanks to some exceptional people I am here to see if 2020 is any better. I hear you. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. Goodbye surgeon. Hi, I had my mastectomy in April, and ever since the op I've had upper abdominal swelling. Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. Generally speaking, you may be OK to drive if youre able to make an emergency stop without causing pain or discomfort at the mastectomy site. Below, well outline what you can generally expect, both in the hospital and after you return home. WebThey suggest using an abdominal binder and more importantly going to a physical therapist trained in lymphatic massage. WebHi Shirley - I too had my surgery last Thursday - a bilateral mastectomy. Hi, I'm new here and have been too busy to consistantly lurk! Functional Abdominal Bloating with Distention. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Checklist for recovery after mastectomy. Unless you gain a tremendous amount of weight, the underlying tissue has been altered and will always have a new, tighter feel. Either a hematoma or a seroma need draining. For example, you might not be able to lift your arms above your head for a period of time during your recovery. Has anyone else had this? You May ask why if it is common why it wasnt immediately diagnosed. Good Luck and return to your doctor and get it diagnosed and sorted. abdominal swelling after mastectomy. Webabdominal swelling after mastectomy. I really hope you find it! I hope that you manage to get an appointment with your surgeon soon, as this is a painless procedure, but you feel so much better after it is done. Prior to your procedure, reach out to loved ones to ask if they can help you with things like: Put together a bag to bring with you to the hospital. Breast Cancer Now is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (9347608) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1160558), Scotland (SC045584) and the Isle of Man (1200). Your surgeon will schedule a follow-up appointment about 7 to 10 days after your mastectomy. If you have breast reconstruction during the same surgery, you may have a longer hospital stay, up to a week. I also wanted to say that it feels like soup one minute and a rugby ball the next ( its also that size!) I did not know about this. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. Another health carrier, Sutter, also offers classes and I found their lymphedema class was even more educational. WebLearn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. (2018). Like a bowling ball. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. 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. Kaiser also offers their patients an "after breast surgery" training class by the physical therapy department whereupon one does a series of stretching, core, weight training (stretch bands and free weights), and then finishing with stretching exercises. Other things to consider having on hand at home are: Its likely that youll need some help at home in the days and weeks after your mastectomy. I then researched seroma after abdominal surgery and I found its a fairly common side effect. A small amount of fluid is normally reabsorbed through the bodies tissues but sometimes it is too much and therefore has to be drained. Research has shown that between 5% and 25% of women develop some lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Did you get it sorted ? WebSeromas tend to appear 710 days after surgery, after drainage tubes have been removed. Thanks again. 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. Yet another thing to add to the list of 'why don't they forewarn you about these things'?? I had left mastectomy and few lymph nodesleft side bloating/swelling4 months post op. I think paranoid hyperchondriac is a pretty good label for me right now! WebYou can expect moderate swelling in the reconstructed breast, underarm and abdomen. 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