Hematoma post op

Hi Myrtlegirl, sounds very similar to my experience. Like you, my haematoma ran right along the underside, plus bruising on the upper left, where the lump had been. It was a shock but I was luckily able to go back to the clinic every few days to have it checked. They relied on me to say if I thought it was worse and, like you, was told that it was best to let it re absorb if possible, so long as no sign of infection. It was slow but did indeed gradually re absorb. Coincidentally I had to wait 10 weeks for radiotherapy, which was worrying at the time but probably just as well as I felt I needed the healing time. The wait was because of Christmas and new year, also I didn’t see an oncologist till 6 weeks after my op. 
Keep a close eye on it and definitely get seen if any sign that it’s getting worse or possibly infected. Mine looked terrible, all the colours of a rather gruesome rainbow (including the Smurf colouring from the blue dye, which lasted for months!) but it all resolved in the end. Just do insist on being seen if you’re at all worried. 
Wishing you well and sending a big but gentle virtual hug your way, HFxx

Thank you! This is reassuring as it just looks so horrific. I am due for a follow up a week today but to hear someone else had this is helping to calm nerves in meantime. Hope you are doing OK. Xxx

Oh BTW, was there anything you were encouraged to do to help it reabsorbed? Xx

Hi Myrtlegirl, I can’t remember any specific advice, other than watching for signs of infection and doing the post op exercises. Maybe they help to move things along. But obviously don’t do anything that hurts, the whole healing thing is a slow process. Also I think a lot depends on how big the incision is. Many years ago I had a lumpectomy for what turned out to be a fibroadenoma (benign), no sentinel nodes removed. The incision was tiny! This time was totally different, one long incision down the side to remove the ‘beast’ and to access the nodes. 
Glad you have the follow up in a week, but do phone the clinic in the meantime if you think anything is getting worse. Mine was pre Covid so I was able to see the breast nurses every few days for the first couple of weeks, which was so reassuring. Xx