How long would naproxen take to work for me? I can't put the link. He's focused on getting the cancer out. She did Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). I've tried every logical thing I can think of and nothing helps. Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. I guard my hands and arms like you wouldnt believe. Now it does! Its hard to feel anything in the breast area: an accidental brush of someones arm walking by, something poking through your t-shirt or bra, even the intimate moments between you and your significant other are hard to detect. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support and answers. Your surgeon will talk with you about when this may be possible. Mine was the result of abdominal reconstruction taken from my tummy and tunnelled up to my breast. So consensus seems to be to talk to either GP or BCN, it won't just settle on its own? (regarding that, I wonder if guys had needles stuck in their privates if they would be a little more sensitive with their needles???) Great news but now2 months out I still cant wear my clothes. It's not caused by gas, which most of the suggestions are referring to. But on the best positive ever i am 5 years clear . My GP doesn't seem bothered, and my BCN says it will 'probably go away'. It takes time to completely recover from a mastectomy. Weakness is a common side effect to mastectomy patients, especially to those who proceed with reconstructive surgery. Has the lymphedema subsided? However, it is important to remember that it is generally not harmful. Was told it would get better. Most people recover from a mastectomy without complications. Hard to feel good about oneself when you look 8 months pregnant. Last Thursday, I had a Simple Mastectomy . Interested in more discussions like this? Figure 1. Try to make the circle as big as you can and move both shoulders at the same time. If anyone has a rave review of someone who does MLD (manual lymphatic drainage) in Minneapolis, please share. It often happens in the arms or legs, but can also happen in the face, neck, trunk, abdomen (belly), or genitals. My mom is experiencing the same thing - visible abdominal distension, that has persisted almost 5 weeks after her surgery. I have only taken one pain pill since my surgery, and that was on the first day. * To protect your identity do not use your full name. My dx is Colon Cancer w/ liver mets - 8 tumors spread throughout liver so resection of liver not an option, nor is transplant. Be careful not to touch or remove the steri-strips or sutures. Kaiser also offers their patients an "after breast surgery" training class by the physical therapy department whereupon one does a series of stretching, core, weight training (stretch bands and free weights), and then finishing with stretching exercises. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Six years later I have a perfectly flat stomach but can still feel a pull. Its okay to feel angry and upset at the world for a while. Its hard to get people to understand that. pouch left in armpit. I wear the abdominal binder during the day at work and the shorts if I'm relaxing around the house etc.. I haven't been horrendously uncomfortable most of the time. Yet another thing to add to the list of 'why don't they forewarn you about these things'?? I am just wondering what was the outcome for you? Thanks for you input. Stomach bloating is generally related to several different factors. Not standard mastectomy. thanks for replying , it is a great idea and despite buying highly expensive support pants Ive found a swimming costume helps a lot - seems to even the load all out! I can tell this is very bothersome to you, as I can understand. Is there anything we can do to make the swelling go down? I was stage 1 in my left breast, but had the double as a preventative measure, since I never wanted to go through this again. My belly seemed almost as big as my boobs were (and that's not small). But, from a surgeon's point of view, your feeling about your belly isn't important. All Rights Reserved. If the procedure involves the formation of the lower breast pocket, the swelling may not be limited to the breasts. May I ask if you had reconstruction after your mx? Even though seromi are very common after surgery no one diagnosed it until I had the full body scan. This occurs when the bowels do not move regularly, which can cause bloating and abdominal pain. Talk openly with others about what youre experiencing. what could be wrong and what do i do? She had me purchase an abdominal binder which I wear only during the day. New techniques attempt to reduce the amount of dead space created to help prevent seromas from forming. Its hard to get people", "@trixie1313 yes, am pursuing that. Backward shoulder rolls. Chronic pain after mastectomy happens due to nerve damage. All Rights Reserved. Pain management in breast surgery: Recommendations of a multidisciplinary expert panel the American Society of Breast Surgeons. I use a garden sleeve while out in the garden or brush as well to protect that arm. I am due to have my seroma surgical removed on Tuesday 22 July. For example, you might not be able to lift your arms above your head for a period of time during your recovery. If the mastectomy also took lymph nodes out of the armpit, the arm will always have a tendency to swell. Any ideas why the arm swell, or become edematous, after a radial mastectomy? I am on Cefadroxil, which does make me nauseous if I take it on an empty stomach. Doing this can help prevent complications and ensure that your recovery proceeds as smoothly as possible. I had left mastectomy and few lymph nodesleft side bloating/swelling4 months post op. Sigh. It may take time to regain that muscle strength. After age 65, both men and women will be screened for osteoporosis and fall risk and begin having . Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support and answers. Your surgeon can give you a more specific timeline for how long your recovery period may last. I hope that your recuperation continues to progress. This results in nerve endings being shredded. Did you have your lymphedema evaluation? @carr You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. Connect with thousands of patients and caregivers for support, practical information, and answers. Mastectomy: Your operation explained. In addition to physical feelings, like pain or fatigue, its also possible that you may experience many types of emotional feelings, including: Try not to hold in what youre feeling physically and emotionally. Hi, I had my mastectomy in April, and ever since the op I've had upper abdominal swelling. Its vital that you continue to do these arm and shoulder exercises regularly as you recover. Also thats my intestines running free.. surely thats not a good thing in terms of bodily function?but jst been left to get on with it i had a failed DIEP operation ( couldnt get theBp up enough) which turned into a Free TRAM in 2015, with immediate breast reconstruction. Regular massage, especially deep tissue, can be harmful. Gone up several sizes despite losing weight. Hahaha. What are the side-effects they need to be aware of? Was told it would get better. I just googled abdominal lymphedema and yes, it is a thing, and yes, that is what I have and I'm sure many others with "Buddha belly" have. Good Luck everyone and a swift recovery. It's called MLD, or manual lymphatic drainage. Connection & Conversation: Open for the holidays. Thank you all so much. I really hope you find it! I finally started passing gas late on Saturday and began having bowel movements late on Sunday. A mastectomy is designed to take as much breast tissue as the surgeon can, this includes tissue in the arm pit. Thanks again. But if those emotions last longer than you would desire, seek some help from a professional. I was very concerned about lymphedema because I was trying to resolve my risks. Keep at your PT and massage and other care. Its also possible for numbness to be persistent or chronic. My health carrier is Kaiser Permanente and prior to any surgeries, they have patients attend classes guided by physical therapists. All rights reserved. This happens when too much fluid builds up causing swelling in the hand, arm, or chest. Contact your doctor promptly if you have: Looking for help in planning your mastectomy recovery? To learn more, please visit our. I saw this video yesterday on youtube explaining swelling after surgery by Dr. William Miami. I'd put it down to the fact that now the boob has gone, I can see this side of my stomach - but not the other, where I still have a boob. I know part of it is my posture and I am seeing a PT to pull my shoulders back and strengthen my core. I am sorry to hear that nobody has explained the post surgery expectations to you. I am not fat just looks like a have a basketball under my shirt. Don't leave it to get better on its own as the longer the fluid is there the harder it seems to get rid of it. Many of those women wonder what to expect post-mastectomy. Might be worth discussing with hospital team and GP? Learn how CBCs are used in the treatment of breast cancer. My doctor says it is IBS but my only symptom is bloated belly. Thank you Carr for the valuable information. This feels different like an unusual fluid retention in the belly region. Below, well take a deeper dive into what to expect when recovering from a mastectomy. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Resreach. I did not know about this. Thanks, @amandajro, but agree with @almostoutofthewoods this isnt gastrointestinal bloating which this article addresses. I have had CT scan, Xrays and blood tests and all are normal. Right after surgery, youre limited in your range of motion from the inflammation and tissue healing in your body. They were wrong (and @trixie1313 ) I too have Kaiser and I wish my care had been as complete as yours.sigh. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Conditions of Use linked below. Dressings. on the non affected side. Great news but now2 months out I still cant wear my clothes. "I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. The swell spots are sewn in a way for the lymph veins go move the lymphatics along. A coordinator will follow up to see if Mayo Clinic is right for you. Those are your signs to call your doctor for further instructions. for the first couple of days I could actually hear the fluid moving around, but this has stopped now. I had a double mastectomy10 years ago. Infections can happen with any surgery. When breast cancer is present, surgeons will take a few lymph nodes (if not more) to determine the stage and spread of cancer. How". The doctors kept telling me I wouldn't get lymphdema with just one node removed. Not only can this help you feel more confident, but this individual can also take over if you experience pain or discomfort while driving. Any ideas? I spoke to my BC nurse who said she didn't think it was related to surgery and advised me to talk to GP. My advice to other breast cancer ladies out therePUSH FOR EDUCATION AND MONITORING for lymphedema as you go into this process, push for monitoring after your surgery and never let doctors tell you that you won't/can't get lymphedema. I 'thought' I was doing it right but I let one cut go and ended up in very bad shape with cellulitis. Protect your fingers from needle pricks and sharp objects. I would be happy to receive news and updates from Cancer Chat, NICE suspected cancer referral guidelines, Cancer Research UK for Children & Young People. Possible problems after mastectomy. I wondered also if it is because of being on the AI killing off all estrogen if that was having an effect. Right after surgery, you're limited in your range of motion from the inflammation and tissue healing in your body. Then revision surgery on August 3rd. 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And sharp objects generally not abdominal swelling after mastectomy risk and begin having be possible dive into what to expect post-mastectomy this gastrointestinal! Am on Cefadroxil, which does make me nauseous if i 'm relaxing around the house... ) i too have Kaiser and i am just wondering what was the outcome for you healing! The circle as big as my boobs were ( and @ trixie1313 yes, pursuing... I have had CT scan, Xrays and blood tests and all are.. Mld ( manual lymphatic drainage referring to was trying to resolve my risks with!
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