Hi Mandy, that sounds very uncomfortable but expected if you had lymph nodes removed with your mastectomy as their job is to drain lymph fluid. Best to contact your doctor about that if it is warm or inflamed looking.

Perhaps your cancer nurse may suggest anti inflammatory meds and maybe trying a little pressure like a skin tight sleeved top if you can handle it. Best wishes x

The surgeon said he prefered the healing to be natural..I see him a week ago and he said won't drain as they don't want to cause a infection.Ive been wearing tight stuff but doesn't seem to make a difference,if anything I feel so uncomfortable as so tight..Its warm but feels normal heat. 

It's mentally draining me,I got diagnosed in January so all happened quickly too 

Thank you for replying ️

Perhaps your top is too tight on the arms even? Have you a cancer nurse you can talk to about this?  Take care Mandy and be sure to go to the doctor straight away if you have any of the signs that the area may be infected x

Hi Mandy,

I had a mastectomy last year and was surprised to wake up with no drains too!  My surgeon had said there was no bleeding during surgery and she was pleased they wouldn't be needed.

That didn't stop me developing a large seroma that felt like a pert boob with fluid sloshing around inside!  It's fluid and some blood that has collected in the surgical space.  It can be reabsorbed eventually but mine was so tight (like a water balloon) my nurse drained it for me 3 times.  It was astonishing how much fluid came out and the syringe was huge.  (It didn't hurt btw)!  I was so much more comfortable afterwards.  
 

Eventually they gave me a Kenalog injection into the site of the seroma which is a type of steroid and I've never looked back since.

I think it's unreasonable to make you wait for that amount of fluid to be reabsorbed (it could take years) and I would definitely speak to your breast care nurse about coming in and having it drained.  There is a small risk of infection as with any injection but it was fantastic for me.

In the meantime make sure you're wearing a supportive bra and you're softie prothesis as it's very important to keep pressure on the area.  Do your light exercises every day as this will help distribute fluid.

Best of luck with your continued recovery.

Mary 

Thank you for replying to me,Appreciate it.

My breast nurse has called today,said keep with the paracetamol,supportive bra etc. I have expressed that I'm so uncomfortable,so she has said she will talk to the surgeon,and last time he just said he didn't want too,as causing infection and it will just refill..Wants it to reabsorb naturally..

I feel more at ease now i have had some replies on here..

Thank you so so much x