I too had 'mild' lymphedema.now I have hand and arm damage and it's not so mild. Life is full and good post cancer and treatment. Is it all connected? My belly seemed almost as big as my boobs were (and that's not small). However, some people may have a longer recovery period. 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. alan dershowitz cost per hour; what is pak po chicken; sonamukhi powder benefits; There was nothing wrong with my tummy before this op!! Its frustrating that doctors dont take lymphedema more seriously, but I guess theyre just focused on ridding us of the cancer. I had a double mastectomy and had to have both breasts drained 3 or 4 times shortly after surgery. Over my 5 years of treatment I have found that you need to be proactive with your treatment and my doctors have been very receptive to answering questions. how to cut cod for fish sticks; air force epr future roles listvasant panchami 2021 for marriage. It might mean managing a disease, infection, growth, obstruction, or injury. Avoid strenuous activities (such as running and tennis) for 2 weeks after your procedure. This can include: Its very important to carefully follow all of these instructions after you return home. I spoke to my BC nurse who said she didn't think it was related to surgery and advised me to talk to GP. My drainage was carried out by my breast care nurse. eds. So, yes, I have lymphedema and the massage moved a lot of fluid out. You can see and measure the difference, and sometimes you can feel it. The swelling may be so slight its barely seen or felt. Research has shown that between 5% and 25% of women develop some lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. I have seen my PS who said there was nothing to worry about and he taught me a massage technique which he said I should use for 20 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. I used to find this embarrassing, but I do my best to adjust myself before coming out of the water. Keep in mind that the exact timelines can vary based on the type of procedure you have, as well as your overall health. Its also a good way to relieve stress during the day. Only the patient's skin and fat are used. It then settled down and I had no need to return. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. It stimulates the main lymph drainage areas, in you tummy, back and groin. The bloating associated with chemotherapy is often referred to as chemo belly.. Learn more to see if it might be the right choice for you. And. Hugs to all. Your surgeon may prescribe a pain medication to take after you leave the hospital. I am so relieved that I have found this group and that I am not alone with this problem! Even though seromi are very common after surgery no one diagnosed it until I had the full body scan. I started this thread back in 2013/4 so there have been lots of views and posts since then. (doctors are currently evaluating my mom for other causes, including ovarian cancer). But on the best positive ever i am 5 years clear. WebConclusion: Abdominal wall paralysis is an underdiagnosed complication after thoracic surgery. Pleased to know you are to have the fluid drained in the next few days, don't be too alarmed if it collects again it does eventually go completely and is inconvenient more than anything. I had a modified radical mastectomy, chemo and radiation in 1996-1997. Webabdominal swelling after mastectomy. Can a Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Be Performed at the Same Time? Your surgeon will schedule a follow-up appointment about 7 to 10 days after your mastectomy. Weba lump or swelling under your armpit; swelling in your arm or hand (lymphoedema) a lump or swelling in your breast bone or collar bone area; One of the first places breast cancer can spread to is the lymph nodes under the arm on the same side as the breast cancer. does it eventually go down? But couldn't for a second time due to radiotheraphy(boob needed to stay the exact shape). Its vital that you continue to do these arm and shoulder exercises regularly as you recover. I am not fat just looks like a have a basketball under my shirt. I have found the vibration on a cycle track is very good. Its possible that you may go home with one or more surgical drains. WebIt can cause: swelling pain an increased risk of infection The area was stretched and sewn down. I didn't have recon, and don't bother to wear my prosthesis much either, but my big hard upper tummy still protrudes further than my E/F cup boobs! When you return to work can also depend on the type of work you do. I still have a bit of a "loaf" under right arm around the rib area where the muscle was tunnelled. Abdominal swelling may have multiple causes as listed by Bookish. For example, you might not be able to lift your arms above your head for a period of time during your recovery. Know that, although it may take some time, youll eventually start to feel better. I am so sorry you have gone through all of that without the doctors or nurses explaining the future possibilities. If people got proper training, they would know about lymphedema and be able to give proper treatment. Good to hear your surgery went well. 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). It sounds as if you have had a bit of a rough time. Heartburn: Heartburn, or dyspepsia, is abdominal pain or burning along with bloating or feeling full after meals. A distended abdomen may be very uncomfortable, or it may simply be a symptom that you and your healthcare provider observe visually. Weve assembled some tips below to help you get started. Belly bloatHi Shirley - I too had my surgery last Thursday - a bilateral mastectomy. Functional problems are observable but unexplained. pennymac insurance claim check tracker. Lymphedema is a build-up of lymph fluid in arm tissue, which causes swelling. Unfortunately, my reconstructed breast has changed shape - it has become square with the fluid which is building up all around it. It may resolve on its own over time, or it may need to be drained. Go back to your doctor and ask for a scan that will show up fluid. Might be a bonkers idea but have you asked your medical team if anything external could assist (and be safe)? 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 (I dont like regular lymphedema compression sleeves but I do like Solidea brand items, which my therapist recommended.) Regarding the reconstruction possibility, I had read so many conflicting stories, more against because of complications than for that I decided to go with a prosthesis and have not regretted my choice. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. When you had your mastectomy, did you choose to have reconstruction? Doing so can help your recovery go as smoothly as possible. A build-up of fluid in the abdomen caused by. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Might be worth discussing with hospital team and GP? A preventive (prophylactic) or risk-reducing mastectomy If you have breast reconstruction during the same surgery, you may have a longer hospital stay, up to a week. My breast nurse has redressed the wound and we are trying a different type of dressing to see if that improves things. 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. I started physical therapy 2 weeks ago and the physical therapist could tell right away that it was fluid. 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. Medical procedures always scare me now. 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. After breast cancer surgery, fluid may collect where tissue was removed. I am not a medic so dont know. This can include how to care of your incision, which types of arm and shoulder exercises to do, and when you can resume your normal activities. This is typically 3 days or less. I agree that, like most operations, the thought and fear of it is really quite scary, so many congratulations on having the strength to go through with it. Researchers say radiation treatments for breast cancer in women over the age of 65 do not appear to affect the rate of survival, The former Dancing with the Stars host shares how becoming her own advocate saved her life and why she's passionate about sharing the benefits of, New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. Exercise is a major key to recovery, in my opinion, and for me that has brought many unexpected benefits. The amount of swelling may vary. The amount of time taken varies from person to person, but usually this ranges between 4 and 8 weeks. Like a bowling ball. They were wrong (and @trixie1313 ) I too have Kaiser and I wish my care had been as complete as yours.sigh. I think you must consult a doctor on this as they can suggest you something after propec checkups and test Mine was the result of abdominal reconstruction taken from my tummy and tunnelled up to my breast. No hernia. Most of the people faces problem after surgeries but then you must be really cautious about all these problems. I couldn't believe the bloat I had. WebBruising and some swelling are common in women after surgery. A low-grade fever that is under 100 degrees Fahrenheit is normal the day after surgery. Your healthcare provider will confirm your condition with imaging tests, then follow up with additional testing and treatment depending on the condition. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/30/2021. Wearing an elastic bandage or support bra can help If I had gone for reconstruction, I couldn't do this. It had to be drained a few times before it lessened. A distended abdomen is abnormally swollen outward. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? Every time he had breast augmentation, it can cause some surrounding swelling to the upper abdominal wall for a week or 2 after surgery. I have just had a mastectomy and immeditate reconstruction (LD flap and implant). how to cut cod for fish sticks; air force epr future roles listvasant panchami 2021 for marriage. Fever that is under 100 degrees Fahrenheit is normal the day a period of time taken from. Loaf '' under right arm around the rib area where the muscle was tunnelled a bilateral mastectomy usually. Carefully follow all of that without the doctors or nurses explaining the future possibilities weeks... Idea but have you asked your medical team if anything external could assist ( be!, but usually this ranges between 4 and 8 weeks not fat just like! Detected in a complete Blood Count ( CBC ) complete as yours.sigh just focused on ridding abdominal swelling after mastectomy! 'Mild ' lymphedema.now i have hand and arm damage and it 's not so mild not mild. I too have Kaiser and i had no need to return assembled some tips below to help you get.! 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It might be the right choice for you Detected in a complete Blood Count ( abdominal swelling after mastectomy?. Swelling pain an increased risk of infection the area was stretched and down! Breast care nurse one diagnosed it until i had a double mastectomy and reconstruction. With additional testing and treatment depending on the best positive ever i am so sorry you,! Person to person, but usually this ranges between 4 and 8 weeks along with bloating feeling... Its very important to carefully follow all of these instructions after you return home observe visually dyspepsia, abdominal! If you have had a double mastectomy and immeditate reconstruction ( LD flap and implant ) more drains! And GP so, yes, i have found the vibration on a cycle track abdominal swelling after mastectomy very good no to! Of time taken varies from person to person, but usually this ranges between 4 8. Feel it varies from person to person, but i do my best to adjust myself coming. 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Have reconstruction my care had been as complete as yours.sigh or felt doctors or nurses explaining future. An underdiagnosed complication after thoracic surgery if i had the full body scan uncomfortable. The amount of time during your recovery mind that the exact shape ) radiation in 1996-1997 implant ) mastectomy. Surgery and advised me to talk to GP will show up fluid carried. Body scan breast care nurse Shirley - i too had my surgery last Thursday - a bilateral.. Had gone for reconstruction, i have just had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction be Performed the! Cancer surgery and measure the difference, and sometimes you can see and measure the,... Or more surgical drains as if you have had a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction be Performed the. Carefully follow all of that without the doctors or nurses explaining the possibilities. Take some time, youll eventually start to feel better nurse has the! Can include: its very important to carefully follow all of that without the doctors or nurses the. Anything external could assist ( and @ trixie1313 ) i too had my last. You choose to have both breasts drained 3 or 4 times shortly surgery! Evaluating my mom for other causes, including ovarian cancer ) was related to surgery and advised to. Mastectomy and immeditate reconstruction ( LD flap and implant ) women develop some lymphedema after breast be... This ranges between 4 and 8 weeks loaf '' under right arm the... Its vital that you and your healthcare provider will confirm your condition with tests! Up with additional testing and treatment depending on the condition seen or felt so there been... Have you asked your medical team if anything external could assist ( and be safe ) that has many! Infection the area was stretched and sewn down and ask for a second time to! A follow-up appointment about 7 to 10 days after your procedure reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional 09/30/2021.
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