Best doc to follow up on lymphedema?

Hey there!
Your surgical oncologist is the best physician to see about this. You had no lymph nodes involved, but did they remove them? If you had no lymp nodes removed you shouldn’t have lymphedema.
I had a lumpectomy also for DCIS . I am 17 years out. I had lymph nodes removed. The only things that helped manage the swelling was weight loss, and a compression stocking for the arm.
Regular massages are very important.

@catbuddy Since you had a lumpectomy I going to assume no lymph nodes were removed at all? Is that correct? We aren’t medical professionals here at Mayo Clinic Connect however I’m wondering why the breast surgeon suggested this could be lymphedema. Like you, I would want another opinion however I’d also ask the orignal surgeon, the breast surgeon, why they think this is lymphedema. Since you had breast reduction and lift could it be related to that? If you don’t get a satisfying answer from the original surgeon I’d ask my primary care provider for referral to a physician in a breast clinic for another opinion.

I realize I sort of meandered around in my response but I hope this is helpful to you.

Thanks for responding. You are correct: no lymph nodes removed. However radiation, which I had , is known to sometimes cause damage to lymph nodes. Good idea to check with the plastic surgeon and my primary as well. Thanks again for answering.

Thank you for responding. I had no involvement of lymph nodes, so none removed. However I had 16 radiation treatments and damage to lymph nodes is a known side effect. Good to know that weight loss may help (sigh- I can’t seem to escape that!) and about compression garments. I’m actually trying to find the best one for that area.
Thanks again for responding.

@catbuddy That makes sense. I had radiation therapy (pelvic) for endometrial cancer and my radiation oncologist told me I could develop lymphedema. Thankfully, I did not. Still checking with the plastic surgeon and your primary care provider is great.

Some people can develop lymphedema even when lymph nodes are not removed if the lymphatic system in the skin is injured from extensive surgery or from radiation treatments.

I am one of those people. I have breast lymphedema and I did not have any lymph nodes removed.

I had 3 lymph nodes removed when I had a mastectomy. 3 years ago. Since then no lymphedema. I have had a hip replacement and carpal tunnel surgery since. Doctors know not to draw blood or use a pressure cup for blood pressure on my side of my mastectomy. Everything on the left. I consider myself very lucky. Even though I was diagnosed a year ago with mas. Stage 4 my pet scans show a decrease in any cancer. Yea, I was on veranizo(not sure of correctly spelling) for 40 days and had to go off because of blood clots. I am am on exemestane that I take at night to avoid any side effects. Also on eliquis for blood thinner to avoid any further blood clots.
God has been so go to me .
I will never go on any chemo again even if cancer activates again because it was horrible the first time. I am trying to live my best life, and share my experience of this journey to maybe give help to anyone who
Is having difficulty emotionally or physically. Yes it is a lonely experience . This chat group has been a life saver for me,

Do you use a Swell Spot? I find it astonishingly helpful in managing my breast lymphedema, and it couldn't be easier.

And the breast surgeon is sure it is lymphedema and not a seroma or infection? I had swelling, redness, and pain/tenderness at my incision site for SLNB, and my surgeon's NP would not believe it was infected. However, it did not resolve until I insisted on antibiotics, so...

Please ask your oncologist to schedule a breast ultrasound fir that breast & underarm area since you may have developed a seroma which is a collection of fluid that can be removed via needle drainage if particularly bothersome. I developed a seroma 18 months after my lumpectomy & it is rather small so we're just watching it. I also have persistent breast lymphedema most likely from my radiation treatment. Lymphatic massage did nothing & I am living with it. Just joyful to go on with my life.