I'm in crazy California (northern) and have Kaiser Permanente. A belly binder may just bind the area and not let the lymphs move along. 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. Its important to take all pain medications exactly as prescribed. I have not had reconstruction yet and it has been a year. Well discuss how long recovery takes, what mastectomy pain is like, and when you can typically return to daily activities. I am huge, I have had four children and I didn't get this big in my abdominal area. p.s. Chronic pain after mastectomy happens due to nerve damage. Lymphedema is a build-up of lymph fluid in the fatty tissues just under your skin. I have very skinny legs and arms, but this huge stomach bulging out!!! Talk openly with others about what youre experiencing. My left ankle has been swelling in hot weather but is not swollen this morning. Once the fluid was aspirated, it almost immediately felt a lot better. Your surgeon can give you a more specific timeline for how long your recovery period may last. Then I went back to the last page and noticed that @colleenyoung beat me to it. Many of those women wonder what to expect post-mastectomy. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. I am large busted and the gravity pulls it down. I too had 'mild' lymphedema.now I have hand and arm damage and it's not so mild. The worst part of my story is thisthis past November I got cellulitis in my left hand and arm and went into sepsis. I had a double mastectomy10 years ago. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. Brenin DR, et al. Reconstructive surgery can be performed at the same time as your mastectomy surgery. Your lymph nodes help filter out harmful substances. I haven't been horrendously uncomfortable most of the time. I had sentinel lymph nodes taken then and later all nodes in R arm. Sorry for any confusion. Did this swelling resolve for anyone? Hopefully the burping and passing gas is the beginning of your relief and your bowels will follow. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Did they do anything to reduce the seroma? As always, I stress that I am by no means an expert in this area. I am new on this site and have been trawling for information. I saw this video yesterday on youtube explaining swelling after surgery by Dr. William Miami. She did Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). But it does seem just that bit more than those would explain. (2020). I was discussing my request for lymphedema consideration when I went for blood work etc. Your surgeon may be have a point that your stomach hasn't changed but it is more visible now because the breasts have been removed. breast reconstruction during your mastectomy. A 2018 observational study estimated that 20 to 30 percent of people who undergo breast surgery experience some type of chronic pain. In addition to general pain or discomfort, it's possible to feel:. He's focused on getting the cancer out. I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. Learn more to see if it might be the right choice for you. How long will I be recovering from a mastectomy? I had a CT scan yesterday. Because of this, its unlikely that youll have to return to the hospital or a doctors office to have them removed. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. I had mastectomy and TRAM flat reconstruction on April 6, 2020. I hope that your recuperation continues to progress. My seroma was only diagnosed after a scan. Anyone seeing me would assume that I am six months pregnant. Know that, although it may take some time, youll eventually start to feel better. With any surgery there may be side effects that you were unaware of. No hernia. During this time, hospital staff will monitor vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure. If you have breast reconstruction during the same surgery, you may have a longer hospital stay, up to a week. If people got proper training, they would know about lymphedema and be able to give proper treatment. It's horrible enough going through cancer and treatment and all of the problems involved without having this disfiguring problem. If the procedure involves the formation of the lower breast pocket, the swelling may not be limited to the breasts. However, there are those times where I need to say, If it was me, I would do. I have read some great info though! My daughter did make me laugh when I showed her my belly. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. (regarding that, I wonder if guys had needles stuck in their privates if they would be a little more sensitive with their needles???) @sandyjr and others in this thread.. I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. Depends: It depends how long after gastrectomy.If the swelling happens a few days later, it can be due to infection or bleeding. As such, you may want to look for a comfortable, but supportive, chair to sleep in during the early stages of your recovery. Same response as with the other reply here I saw. Its a long post but there just seems to be so little info available that I wanted to share. May I ask if you had reconstruction after your mx? 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. So grateful I found this group! Youll likely need to wait 3 to 4 weeks before resuming other types of exercise. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. I am now on a very strict program of PT, massage, and bandaging to keep the lymphedema under control. This was at a cancer center that was connected to a hospital that had a trauma center! They are not keen to remove the fluid unless it is essential, as it tends to build up again quite quickly. After a radical mastectomy many of the lymph nodes have been removed in the armpit or axilla. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Resreach. Thanks, @amandajro, but agree with @almostoutofthewoods this isnt gastrointestinal bloating which this article addresses. Had breast op 4 weeks ago, and I've been putting the tummy bloat down to all the things already mentioned - painkillers, lack of movement, the fact that my boobs aren't blocking the view, etc etc. Then revision surgery on August 3rd. Its not uncommon to take several weeks off from work while recovering from surgery both physically and emotionally. If anyone has a rave review of someone who does MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) in Minneapolis, please share. Might be worth discussing with hospital team and GP? After time, you will gain back that range of motion assisted by exercise. 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. I have mild lymphedema in one arm after a bilateral mastectomy where seventeen lymph nodes were removed. I understand they are focused on saving our lives but discounting our side effects is really disheartening. I woke up from the first surgery with it. Its hard to get people to understand that. 1. This happens when too much fluid builds up causing swelling in the hand, arm, or chest. I find that trawling the Internet expeciallythe US sites can throw up some useful information but you do need to read it with care. I am one of the lucky ones. * To protect your identity do not use your full name. Your tissue has been injured due to the stretching and cutting during surgery. Hi, I'm new here and have been too busy to consistantly lurk! Weve assembled some tips below to help you get started. 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. I couldn't believe the bloat I had. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. The dr said that it was lymphatic fluid gathering at the bottom of my breast due to the surgery. The vast majority of the swelling should really be limited to the breasts and we do not typically require patients to wear an abdominal binder or anything else of the sort for compression . I woke up from the first surgery with", "@carr That is great informationI'm going to check into belly binder. I found a certified lymphedema therapist and I will make an appointment. With this in mind, try to prep your house and supplies ahead of time. Interested in more discussions like this? Although I have been told the common reply from my surgeon and family Dr. that I just didn't see it before because my breasts were there, that is total B.S. My doctor says it is IBS but my only symptom is bloated belly. For some people, this may be about 10 days after surgery. This is a soft, lightweight breast form that can be worn inside your bra. I would be happy to receive news and updates from Cancer Chat, NICE suspected cancer referral guidelines, Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People. I never had trouble doing that either before all this. I am on Cefadroxil, which does make me nauseous if I take it on an empty stomach. It is common however to become easi. So, yes, I have lymphedema and the massage moved a lot of fluid out. Protect your fingers from needle pricks and sharp objects. I am also really having a hard time losing 15 pounds which I need to do. If the mastectomy also took lymph nodes out of the armpit, the arm will always have a tendency to swell. @aiden727 So consensus seems to be to talk to either GP or BCN, it won't just settle on its own? After the surgery, gravity may cause the fluids . By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy. However, there are many ways you can set yourself up for an easier recovery. I bought them from Dick's Sporting Goods Store. It takes several weeks to recover from a mastectomy. I woud look at your lymph system as the areas you have highlighted sound like the main lymph drainage areas. . Dr. David Earle answered General Surgery 32 years experience Variable: While everyone is different, the wounds and healin process should be about 90% complete in the 6-8 week timeframe. , 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. Figure 1. Take care, Lola. But I am pretty careful about gas as it certainly can add pain to the equation. 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. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. 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More to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you have Kaiser Permanente in weather. Make me laugh when i showed her my belly may have a tendency to swell would! Will monitor vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure had a center... Belly binder may just bind the area and not let the lymphs move along carr is! To the Terms of use linked below been swelling in the fatty tissues just under your skin lower...
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