1. < Breast Cancer

Abdominal swelling/bloating after a double mastectomy

Posted by shahzadee6 @shahzadee6, Apr 17, 2019

I have not had reconstruction yet and it has been a year. I am not fat just looks like a have a basketball under my shirt.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

remdor77 | @remdor77 | Mar 10 1:06am
In reply to @carr "I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. The hospital and my surgeon said..." + (show)
@carr

I had surgery Feb. 27, 2019 and had abdominal swelling. The hospital and my surgeon said the swelling was not swelling, they said my stomach appeared to me to be swollen because I did not have breasts. I started physical therapy 2 weeks ago and the physical therapist could tell right away that it was fluid. She did Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). So, yes, I have lymphedema and the massage moved a lot of fluid out. She had me purchase an abdominal binder which I wear only during the day. Also, some elastic type shorts that come up to belly button and that have a wide elastic band for waist. I bought them from Dick's Sporting Goods Store. I bought the 9" abdominal binder from the medical store called Aids for Recovery. I wear the abdominal binder during the day at work and the shorts if I'm relaxing around the house etc..
Be sure if you go to a physical therapist that you confirm that they have been trained in lymphatic massage. Also, try walking to help.

Jump to this post

Thank You so much for your information on where to find aids. Right now I feel alone in this because I do not no what to do now that the surgery is over. I thought I was gaining weight but realized that I had lost weight and my belly was huge. No one spoke about this after the removal of my breast. I looked as if I was pregnant. I didn't hear anything about this condition. So thank you for the information, it is really helpful.

REPLY
katcara | @katcara | Mar 11 1:22pm

I had a double mastectomy in December 2023 and experienced that bloat as well. Doctor told me it was just the contrast in not having breasts. I wish they’d take a minute to figure things out before they just jump in and minimize our concerns. I finally read up on lymphedema and yes, you can get it in your abdomen. Mine was exacerbated by an old Caesarian scar. I finagled a referral from my oncologist to a lymphedema trained occupational therapist. Some are physical therapists. It is better and I feel much less stuffed and miserable. There is also some technology which I am trying to get that is a pump function. Good luck to us all! Sometimes we need remarkable persistence to find solutions. But we are not quitters!

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.