Abdominal swelling/bloating after a double mastectomy

I am 10 years out from bilateral mastectomy and also have a large belly. This is the first I heard it could be related! I too look pregnant and its embarrassing at age 64! I assumed it was belly fat. Has anyone tried the lymphatic massage with success?

I am also wondering if silicone implants may cause weight gain. I am thinking of having them removed since they are 10 years old and part of the recall. Any advice out there is greatly appreciated.

I totally agree with drummergirl and kks. If you aren't seeing an occupational therapist specializig in lymphedema, please do. My therapist suggested a compressive tank top and I can understand why. I was doing well with exercises until I experienced a lot of stress. I'm working to get the lymph system back on track,

I had a single mast. with 6 sentinel lymph nodes removed a month ago. Within a week I noticed that my abdomen seemed to be getting larger on same side as the surgery. I asked the surgeon 2 or 3 times over the next few weeks about it. She didn't pay much attention. I went to breast reconstructive surgeon for consult and he immediately said I have lymphedema, just in beginning stages. I was given a referral to Lymphedema specialist. I have not seen her yet but spoke on phone. She said fluid from the surgery to the abdomen is very common. Whether it's caused by lymphedema, I'll find out next week. If anyone is interested, I will post what I find out. I'm already doing lots of research. I also was not given any information on this possible complication from the surgeon.

@sunny25, how did your appointment go? What did you learn?

Double here too same - found out abdominal lymphodema could be issue with double mastectomy- and that's what it turned out to be so I was referred to OT who is a certified lymphodema specialist. She started with Lymphatic massage and using a pump and man did it make a difference! I purchased my own garment & pump so I could do it daily at home instead of going in twice a week for treatment. In addition I go to a massage therapist who specializes in Lymphatic massage. My OT said Abdominal lymphodema tends to be overlooked by Dr. I'm glad mine listened - after having several tests to rule out other reasons I was referred & so glad I looked into it.

Is swelling after radiation normal? My breast is swollen but I feel like my whole body is swollen too!!

Yes, I had a bilateral mastectomy. I thought at first is that how big my stomach is, I’m 76 and look 6 months pregnant. Slightly overweight but not obese. I didn’t realize you could get lymphedema in your stomach

I have the same thing. I had massage for lymphedema in my arm and it improved dramatically, but was not aware of it being a possibility in the stomach at the time. Now, I am almost 3 years beyond the inception and wonder if anything can be done. I wonder if you could share specifics on what you purchased to help reduce your stomach? I am also 75 and could lose 5 lbs, but I can’t wear half of my wardrobe because of the size of my stomach.

I had that and commented it to my OT who is a lymphodema specialist and she said abdominal lymphodema which is highly overlooked and is frequently seen in patients that have had ca double mastectomy. So in order to be treated I had to go get my Dr okay - and in order to give the okay to be treated I had to undergo several tests to rule out various things that may also cause swelling. Once all the tests were done he gave the okay to be treated for lymphodema. Let me tell you -- what a difference it has made. I was going in 2 times a week & that was getting old - my OT mentioned I could purchase my own garment & pump and do it from home. Which I jumped on - my insurance would have covered the specially tailored garment but not the pump needed for it as it was too new (sigh) but would have covered the older pump which didn't support my garment...I opted to forgo insurance & purchased it in my own - I love it - I do it every day for 1 hour- the difference is amazing. I would check to see you there is a therapist that specializes in lymphodema & talk to them or bring it up to your Dr. I have also used massage therapy for Lymphatic Drainage - so there's that too. I hope you find relief.