tenderness and swelling from double mastectomy Posted: 02-09-08 01:00am
I am so disgusted, I look at myself and I
look like a monster. right before
thanksgiving I was diagnosed and had
surgery it was all very quick. I thought I
was doing great, last week I had surgery
for a large hematoma that developed on
left side, it is so awful looking compared
to the right, left makes the right look
great. I am to sore still to even think
about getting a prosthesis, yet I want
them so bad. Anyone know how long the
tenderness and swelling can last in my
chest and under my arms?
I had colon ca in 2003, In Oct I hit
4yrs....didn't make it till 5 before
another cancer hit me....Now I am really
scared.
Jeannie
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MandMs
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Posted: 02-12-08 03:27am
Developing hematoma is complication,
specifically associated with a mastectomy
surgery.
Feeling tenderness of the area next to the
incision is another main complication due
to this procedure. It result from several
nerves that were cut during the surgery
and, usually, subsides as the nerves grow
back.
You can have delayed healing of the wound
at the incision site, too.
Are you experiencing skin numbness along
the incision site?
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bluejeanangel
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Ohio
numbness Posted: 02-12-08 10:36am
yes, numbness in areas. in the beginning
there was a large area on right side,
actually most of the chest....but not
under the arm. on left was a few areas,
not many. But strangely since hematoma
surgery the right sides for the most part
feeling is returning, and I am finding out
the numbness may not have been a bad thing
but natures way of saving us from extra
soreness. Although surgery site...where
they cut... for hematoma is still numb.
MaryJean
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MandMs
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Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2016 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
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Posted: 03-06-08 05:33am
Skin numbness along the incision site, is
also caused by cutting several nerves
during the surgery.
Have you consulted your physician when
will be the right time for you to start
wearing breast prosthesis?
It varies for each woman depending on her
surgery and healing (you had developed a
complication, heamatoma, so, I guess your
healing process will be delayed).
Most women will be able to wear a
prosthesis (breast form) within 2-8 weeks
after the surgery.
You can buy a camisole that has soft
attachable prostheses until the surgical
site is healed (this can be worn
immediately after mastectomy).
How is the healing process going?
Best wishes!
Marija
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api2
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 2
hematoma after mastectomy Posted: 04-21-08 02:36am
Hi, I have a hematoma which turned up more
than one month after my mastectomy but I
can't find much information about it. How
does it resolve? Does it require further
surgery? Is it a problem? How common is
it? Thanks for your help.
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MandMs
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Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 2016 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
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Posted: 04-21-08 06:05am
Have you informed your surgeon for this
complication?
This collection of blood under the scar,
usually resolve over time without
treatment.
But, it's up to your surgeon to decide if
hematoma will be left untreated or will be
treated with a needle and syringe.
Will you receive chemotherapy after
mastectomy?
Less than 10 % of women will experience
heamatoma as a complication of mastectomy.
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kestrel
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 4
hematoma Posted: 04-26-08 05:18am
Hi MandMs. I am api2 but had to change my
name as I forgot my password! Yes, I have
told my surgeon. He is the one who said I
had a hematoma. He has aspirated it twice
(the liquid was thick and bloody). It is
now 4 months after the surgery. I have
had 4 cycles of AC chemo. At first the
swelling was considered to be seroma which
the surgeon didn't want to aspirate but
now he considers it a hematoma and has
aspirated it twice at 3 weekly intervals.
The swelling is now coming back,
accompanied by bruishing and is spreading
into the chest and underarm area.
I realise it is rare and I can't find
anything about it. Surgeons just are not
very good at giving out information.
Bluejean Angel said she had another
operation for the hematoma ... is that
what usually happens?
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MandMs
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Hi, kestrel! :) Posted: 05-07-08 04:51am
Local complications following mastectomy,
like hematoma, are of considerable
importance if chemotherapy right after
surgery is to be used.
I guess the surgeon will continue with
aspirations, because there is a risk this
to be infected.
When is your next appointment with the
surgeon?
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kestrel
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 26 Apr 2008 Posts: 4
Swelling still going on Posted: 06-09-08 05:53am
I have finished chemo 8 weeks ago and am
still requiring aspiration approximately
every 3 weeks. The surgeon, who is very
experienced, says he has never seen
anything like it. He says it is clearly
not going to get better by itself and that
I will need another operation to fix it up
as well as to fix up the stretched skin.
However, I have not been booked in for
surgery, I suspect he might still be
hoping it will fix itself.
I thought if I was going to have another
general anasthetic, I could get the other
breast off (which I want to, for no real
good reason other than to be symetrical
again - and I prefer no breast to a
falsie). I wonder how likely another
complication like this would happen if I
did?
Are you suggesting that the hematoma might
have been in some way aggrivated by the
chemo?
