Seroma

susabella
susabella Member Posts: 46
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi All!
It's been 4 weeks today since my bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction with silicone implants. I developed a seroma (fluid) below the left implant which is concerning to my plastic surgeon. It is preventing the implant from healing properly in the pocket that is supported with a strip of Alloderm. To prevent a second surgery, he has me wrapped in an ace bandage from my armpits to below my ribs to apply pressure. I'll know tomorrow if it's worked. Has anyone had this complication? I have a new respect for women in the old days who had to wear corsets! lol How did they eat or breathe?! :) I had to stop my PT and get lots of rest again, just as I was starting to get back on my feet. Whine, whine, whine! :) Lots of depression lately, that I can't seem to beat. I'm sure it's fatigue, and the release of it all. Thanks for all your stories and sharing your struggles. It helps enormously, and puts my issues in perspective. I'm thinking of you all, and sending prayers!

Love, Sue

Comments

  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
    Yes, Susan, I had that tight wrapping for what seemed like forever!!! Put coughing into a new art form! You should be very proud, with realizing that you need to take care and rest right now, that the PT will wait. Things do get better with time. My red "special" breast wouldn't get better for anything. Then, one day, I noticed it wasn't as swollen. And a week later, it was light pink. Now, unless I wear a certain bra, it is gone (my surgeon was obviously VERY thorough is removing the lympth nodes...hehehehe).

    Hugs, Kathi
  • susabella
    susabella Member Posts: 46
    #3
    KathiM said:

    Yes, Susan, I had that tight wrapping for what seemed like forever!!! Put coughing into a new art form! You should be very proud, with realizing that you need to take care and rest right now, that the PT will wait. Things do get better with time. My red "special" breast wouldn't get better for anything. Then, one day, I noticed it wasn't as swollen. And a week later, it was light pink. Now, unless I wear a certain bra, it is gone (my surgeon was obviously VERY thorough is removing the lympth nodes...hehehehe).

    Hugs, Kathi

    Thank you, thank you Kathi! You're the best! You always say the right thing and keep me going. I have an appointment with my surgeon tomorrow and I'm sure he'll drain it again. Last week it took 6 sticks with the syringe. Boy, do we girls know how to have a fun afternoon! lol Everyone in my family is a fluid machine. When my siblings have had knee surgery, they always had fluid buildup, as did my mom with her lumpectomy. Aren't genetics great?! Speaking of coughing, sneezing has been a special treat too! I'm glad your surgeon was thorough, that's a great way to look at it, thanks for the perspective (as always!)

    Hugs right back!
    Sue
  • jamilli
    jamilli Member Posts: 16
    #4
    Hi
    I think I'm now 5 weeks post my reconstruction. I had the DIEP procedure done on the right and symmetry with implants on the left. If insurance would have paid I would have had the fat transplants on both sides. My implant side is so uncomfortable and not too soft. I have been watching the real Desperate Housewives of Orange County on Bravo during my recovery. All of these women have implants and they really do look good. I have a new opinion for women who have breast surgery for augmentation. It really lets you know how important this extraneous tissue is to a woman's sence of self. I work with geriatrics and get to see first hand how unsightly they can become. Anyway what I'm getting at is that in the long run I think you will end up looking fabulous. But I am curious why you chose implants rather than one of the other procedures where they use your own body tissue.

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