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QUESTIONS ABOUT SEROMA AFTER BILATERAL RECONSTRUCTION

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Posted 7/30/2006 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
   HAS ANYONE DEALT W/ A SEROMA??? On 7/6/06 I had a bilateral pedicle tram breast reconstruction. (included the removal of right breast w/ the left mastectomy 2 years out and radiation 1 year out)  I healed so quickly and nicely! However one week ago a seroma (pocket of fluid under skin) appeared just above my relocated belly button.  It is about 2 inches high and 6 inches long. I would guess it holds about a cup of fluid!  The ps said we will leave it alone and watch it... it is a good sign that it is soft.  I guess they can get hard from scar tissue.  Not much is none about seromas, but one small study found that about 40% of women get them after mastectomies! I felt it was due to my mismanagement of those darn drains! My abdomen drain ended up coming out earlier than the ps recommended! Tis what happens. I will see the ps again in a few days, but I'd just as soon leave the seroma alone then aspirate or drain it!  The study also said the seranomas went away in about two weeks whether they were aspirated as needed (ie daily)  or just left to reabsorb!  I will keep every one up to date!

                                               THANKS!

                                                         KAREN 

Posted 7/30/2006 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Karen I think several (at least) women here have had them. I did, and the Dr aspirated it two or three times. i think he removed one of the drains too early also. I DO think it is better to just leave it alone for a while to see if it will reabsorb on it's own though. There was an area of mine that never did seem to go back to normal. Of course I ended up having the recon done two more times anyway.
I think they happen quite often with mastectomies, like you said. I am sure you will hear from others too.
Hope it all goes well for you!
Gail
Posted 7/31/2006 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
Karen,

 

I was fortunate not to have any myself.  My PS believes in leaving the drains in as long as possible to avoid seromas.  Another woman who had a TRAM done by my PS had that happen to her and she had it aspirated.  I'm not sure how many times.  Good luck!

Posted 8/10/2006 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies! I see the oncologist on the 16th and I am curious to hear another opinion! Leaving it alone sounds best to me! tongue
Posted 8/12/2006 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Yep I had them. I had a huge one after my tramflap. My surgeon said it had to be surgically cleaned out to get rid of the sac. I had some after my mastectomy which were drained via needle and not called seromas by that surgeon but they were just the same. Hope all is going well and no infection starts up. Keep us posted. Hugs MK
Posted 8/21/2006 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello! It has been awhile since my last post... life is busy!  Seroma is still on my belly, however I think it is healing so I will opt to leave it alone.  None of the doctors seem concerned??  I'll post again just so the info will be available to anyone who is curious about a seroma experience, the treatment and the outcome!!!

                             Karen in Idaho

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