Mastectomy - my chest feels like a waterbed

Hi there

i too have seroma. My surgeon wouldn’t drain as risk of infection and repeat. I have been told heat as in hot water bottle. Massage/rubbing as much as is comfy and the excersises from physio which all help. 

I still have seroma so can’t comment about it disappearing I’m still waiting and hopeful but only 7 weeks post op 

let me know how you get on

 xxx

Hi there

My huge seroma was drained three times and quickly returned each time, as big or bigger than before. The fourth time the surgeon injected a steroid and advised me to wear a tight breast band. I don’t know if it was the steroid or the band that did the trick, or both, but it didn’t come back. 

For me, the seroma was a much worse experience than the mastectomy itself. I really hope yours resolves very quickly x

Hi, your description of a waterbed rang a bell with me as that was exactly what mine was like, I could actually feel it splashing about and I could set up a ripple across my chest by pressing at one side.  It was a disconcerting feeling.  I had it drained 3 or 4 times by my surgeon and the last time it just didn't come back.  I was also told that it would just get re-absorbed eventually but surgeon also happy to drain to help it along.

XOXO

I've had x5 seromas drained. However it was from my back as that's where they used my back muscle for reconstruction. I'm 4 months down the line. I had a sixth seroma recently, but I was also had a raised temp. My Bc nurse said she wouldn't drain as I might have an active infection in my body, turns out I had a UTI (urinary tract infection). However, on waiting for infection to go, she advised me to wear my post surgical compression bra which helped imensly. The seroma reduced and reabsorbed over a few days, so no drainage needed. BC nurse said they can occur frequently even up to a year later. I'm lucky that I have no sensation left in my back on left side due to surgery, because every time it is drained I can't feel a thing. Apart from the slushy bit. 

Xxx

Thanks for all these replies. Nice to know I am not alone wih this. I have been told to look out for signs of fever and for signs of the scar being compromised due to pressure from the seroma. Neither of these currently. Just uncomfortable and sore. Really sore. Raising my arm helps and lying flat. Tried a hot water bottle last night. Don’t really know if it made it better or not - the jury is still out - but it felt nice and comforting, so maybe that is enough ?

The BC nurse told me to avoid over stimulating my arm to avoid excess fluid production so this has left me confused about exercising my shoulders /arm. Massaging just is not possible right now. Too sore. It is a right bummer to be honest !

Struggling to wear even a bra right now and certainly my Betty Boob is on a break. Can’t stand the pressure on my chest. My seroma is in the lymph area rather than across my mastectomy scar, so under my arm more than across my chest.

My seroma is around my lymph area too, under my arm and to the front and back of it too. I am uncomfortable wearing compression bra but was told take painkillers and try to stick with it as the compression is what helps. Also try hugging a pillow or keeping something under your arm to keep some pressure on even if slight. I had it explained that the seroma will try to fill in gaps where the pressure isn’t. Mine has eased as I have no feeling where the seroma is but can feel the fluid if that makes any sense! 

Finding my softy really hard to bear because of seroma. Anyone else had this ?