Swollen hot breast after lumpectomy

Do you feel ill in yourself? Have you taken your temperature? It could be an infection, in which case you would want to see someone today. It doesn't really matter that it's a Sunday, how about giving NHS24 a call and they can advise you?

I did seem to get more swollen a week or so after my operation but that was after I tried stopping wearing a compressing bra as I found it quite painful. I wore the bra again for another week or so and the swelling started to come down. I am still a bit swollen, 6 months on.

I would give someone a call though, even if people have had a similar experience, we are not doctors and if it is hot to touch as well then you may need to get it checked out, There is no point in taking any chances, you have come this far.

Good luck with it, hopefully you will get it sorted soon.

Hi thanks for replying. My temperature is normal and I feel fine in myself. 

Im going to get my bra back on as that apparently helps and ring my BCN. Even if they don’t get back to me until tomorrow I’m at least on their radar! 

They said to me that it can take a really long time for everything to settle, breast tissue doesn't like being disturbed! It isn't nice to feel so swollen though and I remember wearing a bra was uncomfortable but I did find it helped with that initial swelling shortly after surgery.

Do call BCN but also do call nhs24 or if you have one, emergency triage number? Whilst temperature is a good indicator of infection it isn’t the only indicator so please don’t think you’re being silly, best to be over cautious than under xx

Sorry to hear your having trouble I'm in a similar way but I had a lumpectomy 18 month ago and my breast has been OK since but the last couple of days I have noticed that it is now bigger than the other is this normal I am going to ring my breast nurse and GP in the morning xx hope you get yours sorted hun x

Hi I had a lumpectomy on 23/07/21, I felt fine really, good movement, no temperature but underarm was quite swollen and my breast had a veiny rash underneath and was a bit warm, I phoned GP as BCN wasn’t concerned because I felt well, he gave me antibiotics as said sounded like an infection.This was 5 days post op. The rash was gone in 2 days and the swelling started to go down. 
I don’t like to make a fuss either and wasn’t going to bother because I was trying to convince myself it was nothing until I saw the rash. I posted on here and all the replies I had said phone GP or BCN, I’m so glad I did.

So I would phone NHS just to check, they’ll get back to you today, you’ve just had surgery and it’s best to check.

xx

I’ve rung my BCN team and left a message. I feel totally fine in myself. Wearing my bra is helping.

I’m currently taking penicillin anyway, the 7 day course is due to run out on Tuesday.

Hopefully the BCN will ring me back tomorrow. I haven’t noticed a rash but will keep an eye on it.

That’s good hopefully you’ll receive a reply soon to put your mind at rest. I didn’t have any antibiotics after surgery, I didn’t have anything until 5 days post op, so at least if you’re already taking them it should help to ward off an infection xx

BCN just rang me. Said they like to wait and see what happens as often the body adapts and reabsorbs the fluid itself. However my consultant  has a clinic tomorrow afternoon so if there's no improvement by the morning to ring and they will get me an appointment 

Well that’s good at least you’ve spoken to BCN and you’ve got the reassurance that you can see the consultant. I developed a seroma in the lymph node biopsy site which has gradually shrunk over the last couple of days, so hopefully yours will improve soon.

xx