Hello Nicola. I had similar symptoms after my lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy (3 nodes removed) and contacted my breast care nurse to let them know. They then took a look at it and I was prescribed anti-biotics for an infection and also had some fluid drained out. It was a great relief when this was done so don't delay in getting your surgery area looked at.
I had a lumpectomy and 3 nodes removed on 8th June. My boob doubled in size initially! There was a great deal of healing that needed to go on inside. Initially I attended the clinic every other day for check-ups as was worried about infection. Fortunately I didn't have one. The surgeon drained it using a syringe after about a week. This made a big difference to the swelling and tenderness. It took about 4/5 weeks though to settle down to feeling more like a normal boob again.
