Blood draw after mastectomy

Posted by richandjanice @richandjanice, 3 days ago

I had a mastectomy on rt side in 2004 and haven't been able to take blood or BP in that arm and scheduled for left mastectomy Monday. The surgeon said I can use either arm if no heaviness or puffiness. Has anyone else heard this. She said its old science to avoid blood draw after surgery if no signs of lymphadema

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tessspike | @tessspike | 10 hours ago

I've been given conflicting answers when I've asked this question of my medical teams. My oncologist recommended alternating arms at least for monthly blood draws since
the left is a bad stick zone, and a knowing nurse said the issue is more blood pressure cuffs than needles, and to stay on the side with no lymph node removal for those.