Pain after surgery

I have recently (2 weeks ago) had a mammoplasty with full axilla lymph node removal.  The surgery was performed well but since then I have experienced several complications which are not helping the recovery and my resilience to staying positive!  I had a drain for 7 days and this stopped working twice and ended up back at the hospital!  I felt a burden and today am still in severe pain as I have a balloon like swelling in my armpit/ near lymph node wound.  I just do not know who I contact - do I contact the day unit cancer nurses, the gp, the consultant or the cancer unit nurses I saw at diagnosis?   I have a consultation on Thursday to discuss surgery results but this swelling is unbearable.

i feel helpless and stressed by the last two weeks and lack of support.

  • Stay positive 

    well done you have gone through the quest but 

    after the drain comes out it’s common to have like a pocket of fluid it’s called a Seroma I had this too , it’s not to worry about as long as it’s not infected , you can contact your breast nurse to let them no x 

    mum happy to chat my operation for full node clearance was aug 22 xxx 

  • Thank you for your reassuring reply.  I contacted the breast cancer nurses this morning and they asked me to go in.  A doctor drained over 750ml from under my arm - did say it may do it again but thankfully no infection.  

    Thank you once again

  • Stay positive 

    glad there’s no infection, it’s a common thing after that operation it do settle lovely I promise xx hope you are feeling better today xx 

  • Hello, and thanks for your post

    It sounds like you have had some helpful comments from other forum members. It is also good to hear that you have had some fluid drained so hopefully, the area will become less uncomfortable. It is still early days since you have had the operation so try not to expect too much too soon, though I know this can be hard.

    It is important that if you have any further problems with pain or swelling you feel able to contact your breast cancer nurse. It is good that you are seeing the surgeon on Thursday so they can review your surgery and check that there is no further build-up of fluid. It is not uncommon to have fluid drained after surgery. Sometimes this fluid is reabsorbed by the tissues but sometimes it does need to be drained.

    Never feel that you are a bother. It really is important to let them know if you are having any problems at home. Hopefully draining the fluid will help with any pain that you have been experiencing. 

    It is important that the pain is relieved so you can start doing some arm and shoulder exercises. Breast Cancer Now has some information about exercises after surgery which you can see here.

    Breast Cancer Now has produced some information about what can happen after surgery and breast reconstruction which you may find quite helpful to look at here

    You may also find it supportive to join a service called 'Someone like Me'. It is run by Breast Cancer Now and they try to put you in touch with women who have had similar surgery. Have a look at their details here

    I do hope that some of these links maybe helpful. If you would like to give us a ring to talk any of this through then you are more then welcome to do so.

    Our helpline number is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.

    all the best,

    Catherine

  • Thank you for your reply - feeling more comfortable and back being positive about the situation.

  • Feeling more positive today - thank you for caring.

  • Good luck for your results on lymph nodes lovely sending you a warm hug xx