Chest Surgery Swelling

[Guest YaManShane]

Hey,

So the surgery went well. Its my state right now thats worrying me a bit. Theres no pain or anything, but there its like a moderate amount of swelling, with the left chest being more swollen than the right chest. Theres also some swelling in between. The drains are out, and the surgeon said that the swelling is normal. My worry is that the swelling wont go down. When I touch it its really hard and swollen, but no pain. The stitches underneath are tingling a bit too. Is this normal? Is there suppose to be swelling and hard chest?

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Did you get DI or peri? I had DI, so that's what I know about.

Shane, it's hard to say what's "normal" because everyone's subjective experience is a little different. Yes, swelling and discomfort after a surgery IS normal. If you have any concerns, it's a good idea to call your surgeon and check in. My surgeon said that the swelling was fine as long as it wasn't "excessive" and as long as the swelling didn't feel like fluid under the skin...like you can push it around like water in a bag. Gross...I know. You don't want to get a seroma.

I can't remember how my stitches felt. Mostly I felt like the whole incision hurt at first. If you are swelling so much that your stitches are pulling, you definitely want to check in with your surgeon. Are you wearing a compression vest?

The heuristic I generally use is that if things are getting better, I don't worry. I was uncomfortable for a while after my surgery. The first week was pretty awful. I think I even cried once because I felt so bad. Being helpless was no fun.

[Guest Martin]

If the surgeon says the swelling is normal, it is normal. When it comes to medical stuff, trust a competent surgeon more than random people on the Internet.

[Guest Martin]

Oh, I forgot to say CONGRATS ON YOUR SURGERY! I hope the swelling goes down soon and that your recovery is quick.

[Guest B.heard]

Heya just wanted to let you know I also had some swelling after surgery (DI) I had both swelling on the underarm sides of the scar and slight on the left side middle I was told to expect this and it did start to disburse its almost all gone now 5 months post op the little I have left I was told to firmly massage and its helping to make it go but I dont suggest you massage yours until your scars are healed enough.

Just as stranded said ask your Doc or nurse if you have any worries it never hurts and it puts your mind at rest and a happy mind heals the body faster.

On a side note to make you laugh.. I noticed a swelling in my chest recently not on the scars but above on the chest and got all worried something was happening, until my friend kindly pointed put its the T im growing bigger peck muscles I felt a bit blonde after that! xD

[Guest Evan_J]

..... its almost all gone now 5 months post op ......

See, this is the kind of stuff I want to point out to the younger members. (No, not you Shane You're "old" lol) Surgery is a huge deal. 5 months later and someone almost has all the swelling gone. I "get " it now since it took me like 5 months also to get "pretty much" back to normal from the hysto- it took about that long for the swelling to be what I can call gone and I still "can tell" where the cutting was even though I've been told I probably witll be possibly forever. Just thought I'd throw this in so people can make educated choices.

[Guest YaManShane]

I had the DI. I don't know... I guess my main concern was that the swelling was because of some type of infection. I know that sometimes people get swellings and they end up being sick. I didn't know as B.heard stated, it could take up to 5 months for the swelling to go down. I expected it to be over quick. I was also worried because its making me harderr to do certain things. I cant stand up with my arms by my side for example and I cant sleep on my side becuase of the swelling.

[Guest Eagledancer]

I might be able to explain what is happening which sometimes helps. When you experience major surgery, the body's reaction is to flush the area which is what medicine calls third spacing fluids. The mammary tissue is a fluid making system by design and has a complex matrix of blood vessel and lymphatic exchange. In lay terms that means it is an area that is set up to move fluid like crazy. When the drains are in place post-op this allows the body to do flushing without the risk of pooling infectious fluids. After some time and the fluid remains clear then the drains are removed, but this does not mean that the body is done with it's cleansing. With the absolute best of technique, the ability to re-absorb is disturbed if not halted. Your body must re-learn to third space and re-absorb appropriately in that area with a large loss of tissue that use to aid in this process. What would not be normal is color change of skin (redness) and/or fever (either locally or full-body). Hope this helps - maybe not. Remember, your doctor's house is on the line not mine! Have I had top surgery? No. Have I assisted in performing mastectomies? Yes...many. Unfortunately, most were not elective. Swelling is very normal. The length of time until all is well depends all on you. Everyone's body is different. I will remind you that as you begin your post-op exercise you might notice a little extra swelling - some report more than a little. Some people quit their exercise program because of this but in the long run it is that exercise that makes the issue resolve faster. Report ANY and ALL changes to your surgeon. Finally, be totally compliant! Hope this helped...BTW...CONGRATULATIONS!!!! ~Chay~

[Guest B.heard]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention I had the same problems I sleep on my side and it took me a good 3 months to be able to sleep properly on my side... I guess scars are thick tough new skin so im expecting to be looking after them giving them oil and stretching them over a full 12 months, your body moves twists and stretches a zillion different ways and these scars are new skin so expect them to sometimes be stiff or pinch as they get used to living with you too.