After surgery seroma, not sure what to do?

1 minute read time.

FormerMember

3 Oct 2009

Hi all,

I had a sentinal node biopsy which led to them finding cancer in one of the three nodes they took out. a week ago I had an auxiliary node clearance and the fluid build-up was painful and whilst shopping it found it's way out as a fountain which I mopped up with some tissues from my bag. I went into the breast clinic the next day and they syringed more off (Thursday 1st Oct). It then started to fill again overnight and I went in again.

My thoughts are that as this seroma fluid should, as I understand calm down after a few weeks and start to be absorbed more easily into my system and it is there as a healing mechanism in my body so I maybe should put up with a certain amount of swelling in order that it finds a level. Anyway, second visit (Friday 2nd Oct) after a build up on Thursday night saw me going to the breast clinic again. We had a discussion that we should leave it until after the weekend and see how it goes returning on Monday and keep taking the pain killers to see if it calms. I have numbness down to my fingers, which is being accentuated by the swelling of this fluid and has now reached bursting point again. It's the weekend so what do I do.

Am in quite a lot of pain here, although pain killers are two-thirds working or should I try and relieve it myself or stick it out until Monday when I'm due in again ...................

Any advice, very grateful

Jeni x

sue G over 15 years ago

Hi Jeni

Had auxillary clearance a the same time as my mastectomy.

Had excess fluid only once above the "breast" which was syringed off.

I would ring NHS direct as I assume there is no one available in your breast clinic at weekends nor a McMillan nurse.

Things always seem to happen at weekends or Bank Holidays.

Sorry can't be more helpful.

Sue x x
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Jeni

I had my mastectomy last Oct and also had a sentinal node, of the five they took one was positive, so I needed a clearance but decide to wait until after chemo.

I had the clearance in June this year and ended up with quite a bit of nerve sensitivity which was quite painful in the early weeks. It has settled down now, but like you I had seromas. My breast care nurse was brilliant and said don't be uncomfortable over the weekend, so I'm really sorry yours suggested waiting till monday. I never leaked though, that must have been scary. I found that it made my arm feel heavy and yes I had tingling in my fingers and my write really ached, the consultant thought it was probably due to the pressure from the seroma. Under my arm felt very tight. I don't think leaving it hurts you but its just bloomin uncomfortable. You could phone your surgery out of hours service, but they will probably suggest you wait if you can or go to A&E - that where my BCN said to go.

I don't think you should try to do anything, if you had a fountain that implies you have an open wound and you might get an infection. Do you get that strange trickling senstation when you have a cold drink like its trickling down your back, and when you brush your hair? Very strange.

Hope you get some relief.

Take care

Carol xx
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FormerMember over 15 years ago

I went to the A&E at my hospital, they were very good, always found a surgeon to relieve the fluid.

Only had a problem once and my consultant sorted him out, he told me I should never suffer any pain and to go to A&E if I need to. It's stopped now, although know how you feel, think it's never going to end!
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