After Lumpectomy

Hi

Did you get an information leaflet from your team about post-operative care?  There will be contact info and directional information in there, depending on your symptoms.  The 3 main things to watch out for are: infection, seroma and haematoma.  For infection, it says signs are redness, heat, swelling, pain and discharge.  A short course of antibiotics from your GP will treat it.  Seroma is a collection of fluid under your wound.  It is not harmful and might be reabsorbed by your body naturally but more likely you will need it drained at the Breast Unit.  I had this at my axilla site, felt like a sausage under my arm, and had it drained 3 times.  You don't feel it being drained cos you are still numb in the site.  Haematoma is a more serious complication and is when a small blood vessel has leaked and bled into the wound.  Signs include firm swelling, pain, bruising and leakage of blood from the incision line.  You need to contact the ward immediately for treatment if you suspect this. 

Seroma is the most common SE of the three and easily treated.  If it's painful, rather than just uncomfortable, it could be an infection.  Is your temperature up?  There would be no harm in seeing your GP for a check if you can get a quick appointment.  Otherwise, the surgeon will have a look over the site and advise you. 

All the best,

Linda x

I could have written your post.  I too had my lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removed nearly 2 was ago.  I have exactly the same symptoms (swelling, etc etc) taken Ibuprofen.   I see the surgeon tomorrow.   

How did you get on?  What did your surgeon say/do about the swelling?   

Hope you’re feeling better

MDL x

Hi and , sorry you’re both having pain and discomfort post- lumpectomy, I had the swelling but not the pain. I had a pretty impressive haematoma which covered the whole of my lower breast, black and blue then yellow as it gradually resolved. Definitely needs checking out, my breast clinic monitored mine which was reassuring and it did disperse itself, but slowly. Glad you’re both seeing your surgeon soon but as Aspen said, any sign of temperature should see someone sooner in case of infection. The nurses can be a great source of support (I found them far more helpful than my surgeon, I’m sure he was good at chopping stuff out but he really wasn’t any help post operatively). 

Good luck and let us know how you both get on. It’s horrible when you think a chunk of the treatment is ‘done’ but get something else thrown at you. Gentle hugs, HFxx

Have just looked back properly (am on my phone so not very efficient with small screen!) and can see   your post was a couple of weeks ago, hope your swelling and pain has been explained? Xx