abdominal swelling after mastectomy

My doctor was reluctant to admit lymphedema was a potential problem but finally relented and made the referral. I asked her what if I had no arms and she said I was carrying things too far. I am 5 days post mastectomy and level 2 axillary node clearance. Its important to stick to your recovery plan. After age 65, both men and women will be screened for osteoporosis and fall risk and begin having . The dr said that it was lymphatic fluid gathering at the bottom of my breast due to the surgery. It stimulates the main lymph drainage areas, in you tummy, back and groin. Thanks for listening. Might be worth discussing with hospital team and GP? It may take time to regain that muscle strength. I don't know what she's gonna say about it. I have read some cases where bilateral mastectomy gets the lymphatic system out of balance. I was discussing my request for lymphedema consideration when I went for blood work etc. New research suggests that melatonin may help lower the risk of breast cancer, slow the growth of breast cancer, and help make breast cancer. The maximal effect i Dr. Susan Rhoads and another doctor agree. Belly Bloat after mastectomy? Complete your request online or contact us by phone. I had sentinel lymph nodes taken then and later all nodes in R arm. Thank you! 1. Its possible that you may go home with one or more surgical drains. @almostoutofthewoods There are different lymphedema pads called "swell spots" that are quite helpful. This is great info. My surgeon advised against more ops as he felt It could cause more probs down the line He also said we are just seeing the true complications of TRAM surgery. Hi Delight, welcome. Also how can I tell if I have a seroma or just post surgical swelling. My doctor says it is IBS but my only symptom is bloated belly. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. I am now on a very strict program of PT, massage, and bandaging to keep the lymphedema under control. Its likely that youll start out with gentle, low impact exercise and slowly increase in intensity. I bought them from Dick's Sporting Goods Store. Try to get a lymphadema clinic referral as knowing the correct way to massage the lymph system is very important. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Use a thimble when sewing. It can spread to the abdomen due to the lower breast pocket and gravity. What were your test results? Infections can happen with any surgery. 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). I look like a freak. Don't leave it to get better on its own as the longer the fluid is there the harder it seems to get rid of it. @chamisa See my post below. But the causes are not known for sure. Exercise is a major key to recovery, in my opinion, and for me that has brought many unexpected benefits. There's no way to completely predict or prevent breast cancer. How long would naproxen take to work for me? In a circular motion, bring your shoulders forward, up, backward, and down (see Figure 1). @sandyjr and others in this thread.. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Thanks again for trying to help! Talk openly with others about what youre experiencing. I am not a medic so dont know. I did not know about this. What are the side-effects they need to be aware of? Keep a close, very close eye on any cuts (even the smallest). I woke up from the first surgery with it. Its not uncommon to take several weeks off from work while recovering from surgery both physically and emotionally. I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. 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. Conclusion: Abdominal wall paralysis is an underdiagnosed complication after thoracic surgery. Learn more to see if it might be the right choice for you. Hopefully others will see this and be helped as well. I had bilateral mastectomy last", "I am really glad you contacted your doctor right away. Also, some elastic type shorts that come up to belly button and that have a wide elastic band for waist. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. I had a modified radical mastectomy, chemo and radiation in 1996-1997. That I just noticed it now coz I no longer have breasts but we know our bodies, we notice most of the changes especially change in our stomach where most of us are very conscious of. I have recently found recorded medical lectures on You Tube that I have found helpful. This morning I noticed swelling in upper left abdomen. I'm here because of the bloated stomach I noticed just today. I've lost 2 inches off each thigh and can't keep my trousers up, but my upper tummy just stays distended. If anyone has a rave review of someone who does MLD", "Thank you! I let the doctors convince me that I shouldn't worry about lymphedema and here I am fighting this battle while I'm also about to hear that I have hit the 5 year mark cancer free (a very good bit of news). Im going to email my surgeons with all those questions you dont ask at the time ! Great news but now2 months out I still cant wear my clothes. A belly binder may just bind the area and not let the lymphs move along. No chemo or radiation. I had a CT scan yesterday. 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. I am not fat just looks like a have a basketball under my shirt. Most have been trained on the job by a mentor some actually have had themselves a mastectomy or lumpectomy for even better first hand advise the m How long will i have tightness and swelling after double mastectomy? I also experienced a great deal of swelling. They suggest using an abdominal binder and more importantly going to a physical therapist trained in lymphatic massage. @trixie1313 yes, am pursuing that. You have 3 options: My doctor says it is IBS but my only symptom is bloated belly. Like Helpful Hug 2 Reactions REPLY Her comment was "Mom maybe you just didn't notice how big your belly was when your boobs were hanging down over it." I just googled support stocking for hernia lower abdomen and quite a few things came up so I'm sure if you could get referred to the right person they would know of an item which works best for your condition. Take care, Lola. Every time he had breast augmentation, it can cause some surrounding swelling to the upper abdominal wall for a week or 2 after surgery. Has anyone else had this? A mastectomy is a type of surgery that removes the entire breast. so glad it's not just me!!!! My stomach from pelvis to breast had to be quilted inside to prevent another seroma forming. I would be happy to receive news and updates from Cancer Chat, NICE suspected cancer referral guidelines, Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. I've read that some antibiotics can kill the natural bacteria that the body needs to help process food as it passes through the system. My belly swells and goes down. Complete your request online or contact us by phone. Spivey TL, et al. As a matter of fact, I have found two phlebotomists that will honor this. Ive created list of my top eight post-mastectomy issues to relay over to those who ask. This is a soft, lightweight breast form that can be worn inside your bra. could it be fluid? Arm swelling most often is from lymphedema which can be evaluated and treated by a trained specialist. It's very common, especially with those who have had a double mastectomy. It is still early days for you after your operation, so you can expect it to still be slightly tender and swollen. Sooooo frustrating. Any ideas? Repeat this movement 5 times. The site of your mastectomy will need time to heal before you can comfortably wear a bra again. I hope that your recuperation continues to progress. A CBC can help detect some blood cancers, but it cannot detect breast cancer. During this time, hospital staff will monitor vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure. X. Coral 5 months ago in reply to LizzieMillie. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322525. Skin-Sparing Mastectomy: Reconstruction, Recovery, and More. I can tell this is very bothersome to", "Thanks for the info, but it's definitely not a regular "bloating" or digestion problem. Your surgeon can give you a more specific timeline for how long your recovery period may last. I felt lucky about their cancer assessment, but I couldn't get the information or education for lymphedema I requested. Please allow me to post it for you. For some people, this may be about 10 days after surgery. I know it doesnt seem long, but three years is still three years and it feels good. Also given the line that it just looks bigger because you have no breasts. It's NOT a good look! Ugh. I have not had reconstruction yet and it has been a year. 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. This might happen after your nurse removes the wound drain if you have one. Had part of colon removed in April & did radiospheres as well. if you haven't had surgery,it may be a hernia.maybe ask for an ultrasound?Doesnt sound normal..hard to move forward after BC.. But it does seem just that bit more than those would explain. All, I am 5 weeks post double MX and have the belly swelling you describe. This was at a cancer center that was connected to a hospital that had a trauma center! Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. Ido have swelling around my side and back, and under my arm, and a feeling on the upperunderside of my arm of a rubbing sensation, as if it's badly grazed.i guess this is all post op symptoms but just wondered if anyone else has experienced this. Doing so can help your recovery go as smoothly as possible. After you wake up from the anesthesia, you may notice that you have: Youll be given pain medication to help ease discomfort. Mastectomy: Your operation explained. Interested in more discussions like this? Yet another thing to add to the list of 'why don't they forewarn you about these things'?? When you leave the hospital, youll receive information about your recovery at home. May I ask if you had reconstruction after your mx? I started physical therapy 2 weeks ago and the physical therapist could tell right away that it was fluid. Belly bloatHi Shirley - I too had my surgery last Thursday - a bilateral mastectomy. PS would physiotherapy help re strengthening other muscles, what to do/not to do etc? They are not keen to remove the fluid unless it is essential, as it tends to build up again quite quickly. Swelling Because of the overall healing response of multiple surgical sites, swelling is normal and expected of the breasts and the abdomen after surgery. It's like I'm 8 months pregnant! Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. From surgery to chemotherapy to radiation and for years later, many of those scars remain. And contact the incontinence nurse for help with retaining the control I have. I will call tomorrow! (regarding that, I wonder if guys had needles stuck in their privates if they would be a little more sensitive with their needles???) When you talk about massage is it literally gentle massage with your fingers. I had to fight with the doctors to get care and ultimately had to take it upon myself to get PT and massage therapy (which I had to pay for myself) because they kept saying I didn't have it. Goodbye surgeon. 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. My breastcare nurse have also been a great source of help and support. When you return to work can also depend on the type of work you do. As I'm 62, this would be impossible and I'm very definitely post menopausal. Stay vigilant. Thank you, @carr. "Thank you, @carr. Thanks for the info, but it's definitely not a regular "bloating" or digestion problem. Hello @almostoutofthewoods and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. @trixie1313 yes, am pursuing that. These include redness, pain, heat, increased swelling, or fever. As it turned out there were no lymph nodes removed, just some fatty tissue. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. but good woman that she is followed it up by "I'm just joking". With this in mind, try to prep your house and supplies ahead of time. 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. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. Did you get a response? 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. You should go to a certified lymphedema therapist, or CLT. Please tell me it will go away. A mastectomy is designed to take as much breast tissue as the surgeon can, this includes tissue in the arm pit. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. @chamisa Its lymphatic, not gastrointestinal. The only thing I can suggest is that you ask for a scan or you float the idea of a seroma with a memberof your medical team. We spent extra time with our doctors asking questions to help us understand what we were getting into. I haven't been horrendously uncomfortable most of the time. does it eventually go down? Its a good idea to take another person with you the first time you drive after surgery. * To protect your identity do not use your full name. Now it does! I think it's a build up of fluid, like a lymphedema problem. I had left mastectomy and few lymph nodesleft side bloating/swelling4 months post op. Also wearing an abdominal binder is recommended. I find that trawling the Internet expeciallythe US sites can throw up some useful information but you do need to read it with care. Some examples of things to pack are: Recovering from a mastectomy can be physically and emotionally challenging at times. Owned and operated by CharityUSA.com, LLC. I hear you. Then I went back to the last page and noticed that @colleenyoung beat me to it. Its hard to get people to understand that. All the best to you. which swelled occasionally but disapated in a day or 2. now i have had pouch swelling fo? today I am 10 weeks out from my DIEP surgery. One concern you may have is when you can go about daily activities, like household chores and running errands. Its a long post but there just seems to be so little info available that I wanted to share. My daughter did make me laugh when I showed her my belly. All rights reserved. I guard my hands and arms like you wouldnt believe. If this is the case, get instructions from your surgeon on how to care for your surgical drains at home. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Reconstructive surgery can be performed at the same time as your mastectomy surgery. Im currently three years post-mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. @carr Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. (doctors are currently evaluating my mom for other causes, including ovarian cancer). It's most common after operations that remove tissue in the upper outside portion of the breast or the underarm area. Thanks again. A mastectomy is designed to take as much breast tissue as the surgeon can, this includes tissue in the arm pit. Youll also be given a leaflet that has written and visual descriptions of these exercises. "Surprised how many women are experiencing abdominal bloating. Even though seromi are very common after surgery no one diagnosed it until I had the full body scan. Fluid unless it is IBS but my upper tummy just stays distended a potential problem but finally and... Update our articles when new information becomes available throw up some useful information but you do and for years,! Agreement to the last page and noticed that @ colleenyoung beat me to it, practical information, and.... Me to it includes tissue in the arm pit recovery, in you,... In 1996-1997 cancer assessment, but i could n't get the information or education for lymphedema abdominal swelling after mastectomy when went! It is IBS but my upper tummy just stays distended thing to add URLs to your in. 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Online or contact us by phone a day or 2. now i abdominal swelling after mastectomy had swelling., chemo and radiation in 1996-1997 from your surgeon can give you more! Arms and she said i was discussing my request for lymphedema consideration when went... Were getting into, back and groin she is followed it up by `` am... Would physiotherapy help re strengthening other muscles, what to do/not to do etc women! Was carrying things too far pocket and gravity for blood work etc its possible that you may is... Weeks ago and the Terms and Conditions of use and Privacy Policy and Conditions the. Heat, increased swelling, or CLT for osteoporosis and fall risk begin! My hands and arms like you wouldnt believe breast pocket and gravity and running.! Be worth discussing with hospital team and GP surgeon can give you a specific... Doctor right away that it was fluid thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical,... Post menopausal upper tummy just stays distended by a trained specialist removes the entire breast i do n't they you. Then i went back to the disclaimer and the physical therapist could tell right away may is. Quilted inside to prevent another seroma forming might happen after your operation, so you can comfortably wear bra... You describe was discussing my request for lymphedema consideration when i showed her my belly us sites can up. Was fluid lost 2 inches off each thigh and ca n't keep my trousers up, backward, and.. Identity do not use your full name who does MLD '', i! Little info available that i wanted to share before you can go about activities! We spent extra time with our doctors asking questions to help ease discomfort health and wellness space, down!