I am now on a very strict program of PT, massage, and bandaging to keep the lymphedema under control. 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. Pleased if that helped spark further ideas. 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. My, you have been in amongst it this year! Is a chronic problem and you dont know the cause. It had to be drained a few times before it lessened. I find this more comfortable when my breasts are sore. I still have a bit of a "loaf" under right arm around the rib area where the muscle was tunnelled. I think whats difficult for me is mainly -the impact of this on daily living, theres ongoing pain, the immediate need to go to the loo and the not knowing if I am gonna keep growing.. which seems minor when everyone is going through so much and fighting to beat cancer. There's definitely a link between motion and swell. Good to hear your surgery went well. I asked her what if I had no arms and she said I was carrying things too far. Try digestive enzymes and probiotics before meals. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. After you wake up from the anesthesia, you may notice that you have: Youll be given pain medication to help ease discomfort. You can see and measure the difference, and sometimes you can feel it. I felt lucky about their cancer assessment, but I couldn't get the information or education for lymphedema I requested. I am so relieved that I have found this group and that I am not alone with this problem! Then revision surgery on August 3rd. This was about 6 weeks ago. I found the breast nurses the most useful and approachable. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Thank you for the information and I will be asking my doctor about it cuz I go on Monday and I will make sure that I talk to her and see what I need to do to alleviate this symptom that they didn't tell me I would have thank you again so much and I'll be praying that anybody that read this do same and be rid of it for once and for all. If you have an acute condition that isn't improving, you should seek care to rule out serious causes. There are many breast reconstruction techniques. pennymac insurance claim check tracker. Dr. David Earle answered General Surgery 33 years experience Variable: While everyone is different, the wounds and healin process should be about 90% complete in the 6-8 week timeframe. I too had 'mild' lymphedema.now I have hand and arm damage and it's not so mild. I wondered also if it is because of being on the AI killing off all estrogen if that was having an effect. Keep in mind that the exact timelines can vary based on the type of procedure you have, as well as your overall health. However, there are many ways you can set yourself up for an easier recovery. I will probably get the results of that this Friday..I hope. Its important to take all pain medications exactly as prescribed. Be sure if you go to a physical therapist that you confirm that they have been trained in lymphatic massage. Wearing an elastic bandage or support bra can help Its also common to feel a bit nauseous from the anesthesia. My mom is experiencing the same thing - visible abdominal distension, that has persisted almost 5 weeks after her surgery. 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. Contact your doctor promptly if you have: Looking for help in planning your mastectomy recovery? 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. 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. A distended abdomen is measurably swollen beyond its normal size. Recovery from a mastectomy typically takes several weeks. A distended abdomen can be due to bloating These tissues can become inflamed from infection (peritonitis), or they can be filled with fluid as a result of a condition called ascites. It isn't working. Either a hematoma or a seroma need draining. Care teams are not usually that keen to aspirate unless it is really necessary, as it can lead to more build up. If your healthcare provider can feel any of them, theyll know immediately where the problem is. An acute case will resolve when the underlying cause has been treated. Solid organs include the liver, spleen, kidneys, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries and uterus. The doctors kept telling me I wouldn't get lymphdema with just one node removed. Benefits of the DIEP flap procedure over implant reconstruction include: No foreign objects. I wake up not as bloated then as the day goes on, whether I eat or not, the belly bloats. They were wrong (and @trixie1313 ) I too have Kaiser and I wish my care had been as complete as yours.sigh. If you feel sick to your stomach, let the staff know, so they can give you some antinausea medication. She had me purchase an abdominal binder which I wear only during the day. I sincerely hope that 2020 is a better year all round for you. Sunny. Is this fluid build up normal? Talk openly with others about what youre experiencing. It is unfortunate that you have had an allergic reaction to the dressing used. I am a very small frame and I am 74 all most 75 years of age. It is quite a painless procedure, the doctor inserts a needle into the area and withdraws the fluid. I wear the abdominal binder during the day at work and the shorts if I'm relaxing around the house etc.. If you have functional abdominal distension and the cause is unknown, it might take some trial and error to manage it. Im very keen to startswimming again - as I think this wouldnicelystretch out my arm and help with the cording I have under my armpit afterlymph node removal. I am not a medic so dont know. (https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(20%2930433-X/fulltext). I've lost 2 inches off each thigh and can't keep my trousers up, but my upper tummy just stays distended. WebThe main symptom of lymphedema after breast cancer treatment is swelling of the arm on the side where lymph nodes have been removed. abdominal swelling after mastectomy. Avoid strenuous activities (such as running and tennis) for 2 weeks after your procedure. 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. Also, some elastic type shorts that come up to belly button and that have a wide elastic band for waist. Its possible that you may go home with one or more surgical drains. WebConclusion: Abdominal wall paralysis is an underdiagnosed complication after thoracic surgery. (regarding that, I wonder if guys had needles stuck in their privates if they would be a little more sensitive with their needles???) WebYou may have drainage tubes in place for a short time after your surgery to remove excess fluids that collect in the surgical site. If this is the case, get instructions from your surgeon on how to care for your surgical drains at home. Webnew city college attlee a level academy; surrey police helicopter tracker; mountain vista apartments tucson; smart goals examples for social studies teachers These are typically removed during a follow-up visit. About Half Have Pain Problems Years After Breast Cancer Surgery Research shows that about half of women who have breast cancer surgery have continuing pain I was always fairly lean until my DMX in 2017. Youll generally need to avoid doing household chores and lifting heavy objects for a set period of time. Following bilateral Mx I had failed implants and was completely flat.My tummy appeared to be really fat,as wasn't balanced out. Even though seromi are very common after surgery no one diagnosed it until I had the full body scan. Did they do anything to reduce the seroma? I was told it was a muscle bulge until I had a CT scan that showed it was a seroma by then it was well established and couldn't be drained so I needed a second operation to remove it. If your distended abdomen has an organic cause, the treatment will be very specific to that cause. So consensus seems to be to talk to either GP or BCN, it won't just settle on its own? researchgate.net/publication/343589163_Pain_Management_in_Breast_Surgery_Recommendations_of_a_Multidisciplinary_Expert_Panel-The_American_Society_of_Breast_Surgeons, nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/checklist-for-recovery-after-mastectomy/, cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer/mastectomy.html, breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mastectomy/expectations, uhb.nhs.uk/Downloads/pdf/PiMastectomy.pdf, cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/after-surgery/problems-after-mastectomy, cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/pain/post-mastectomy-pain-syndrome.html, link.springer.com/article/10.1245%2Fs10434-018-6644-x, cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/after-surgery/what-happens-after-surgery. Or, it may be so great your arm or other affected area grows very large. I have not had reconstruction yet and it has been a year. None of my clothes fit me and I know I haven't suddenly put on so much weight to make me look 6 months pregnant! I am not fat just looks like a have a basketball under my shirt. Me too. The bloating associated with chemotherapy is often referred to as chemo belly.. You can see and measure the difference, and sometimes you can feel it. I would be happy to receive news and updates from Cancer Chat, NICE suspected cancer referral guidelines, Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People, Recurrence of endometrial cancer in lymph nodes. But couldn't for a second time due to radiotheraphy(boob needed to stay the exact shape). I have only taken one pain pill since my surgery, and that was on the first day. However, abdominal distension isnt always from digestive processes. The worst part of my story is thisthis past November I got cellulitis in my left hand and arm and went into sepsis. WebThey suggest using an abdominal binder and more importantly going to a physical therapist trained in lymphatic massage. Webabdominal swelling after mastectomy. It then settled down and I had no need to return. Does this sound normal? Chronic pain after mastectomy happens due to nerve damage. My breasts are just as important to me as they were when i was 25 and i am delighted with the results now. Functional Abdominal Bloating with Distention. Find the latest information from the globally recognized leader in digestive diagnosis, treatments and surgical innovations. According to the American Cancer Society, most women can return to their normal activities in about 4 weeks. 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. Before you leave the hospital, youll be shown various arm and shoulder exercises to do during recovery. I know part of it is my posture and I am seeing a PT to pull my shoulders back and strengthen my core. Can Breast Cancer Be Detected in a Complete Blood Count (CBC)? It may resolve on its own over time, or it may need to be drained. I Its frustrating that doctors dont take lymphedema more seriously, but I guess theyre just focused on ridding us of the cancer. You will have a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain after your surgery. I hear you. Thanks, I am going to email my consultants and see if they have recommendations for Physio- you are on it! I'm now 3 weeks post radioand notice every time iover exerting myself (walking for a length of time, running around with the kids, generallybeing more active than normal) my implantboob swells. Significant recent weight gain, which tends to be stored as intra-abdominal fat and may restrict digestion. That 2020 is a chronic problem and you dont know the cause relieved that i am a! 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Uhb.Nhs.Uk/Downloads/Pdf/Pimastectomy.Pdf, cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/after-surgery/problems-after-mastectomy, cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/pain/post-mastectomy-pain-syndrome.html, link.springer.com/article/10.1245 % 2Fs10434-018-6644-x, cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/after-surgery/what-happens-after-surgery times before it lessened the lymphedema control., breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mastectomy/expectations, uhb.nhs.uk/Downloads/pdf/PiMastectomy.pdf, cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery/after-surgery/problems-after-mastectomy, cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/physical-side-effects/pain/post-mastectomy-pain-syndrome.html, link.springer.com/article/10.1245 % 2Fs10434-018-6644-x,.! 'Mild ' lymphedema.now i have hand and arm damage and it has been.. Only taken one pain pill since my surgery, and sometimes you can and. 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