@nanahatton65 So glad you decided to reach out to our community. I had a bilateral mastectomy in Sept 2019 with lobular cancer in my right breast, and lobular and ductal in my left. 20 lymph nodes taken out of one side and 15 out of the other. Subsequently determine to be stage 4 because my breast cancer in 2019 had spread to my skin. Various meds held it in check until May/June 2021 when it came back to my peritoneal lining, omentum and stomach. Chemo etc has held it in check and doing well right now. Also I did reconstruction for 6 mos starting in December 2020 drains etc all over again. So I am giving this background to explain that I am familiar with lymphedema. Swimming, compression sleeves, lots of yoga and pilates, and regular massages (sometimes lymphatic) and drinking lots of water have helped over my several year journey. However I am concerned about where your swelling is occurring and I personally do not see the connection. I did develop Ascites which swelled my lower belly and made me look pregnant. Ascites is fluid build up. It was painful as it pushed under my ribs, moved organs and hit nerves. I would push for a sonogram of your abdominal area. It would be a better identifier of what is making your belly swell ie fluid. They can then test the fluid. In my case, we needed to do some draining. I am hopeful that my reaction to your situation is extreme and that you are just having a less normal reaction since your body has lymph nodes everywhere. I just don't want you to let the docs off easy - I am a big believer in trust but verify/doublecheck everything. Good luck!!!

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