Can you get lymphedema if you only had sentinel node removed?

I complained of arm and hand swelling about 6 months after my surgery. It was on going. My oncologist and surgeon said….it couldn't be lymphedema because they only removed one lymph node (hmmmmm) so I insisted on seeing physical therapy and massage therapy myself via my surgeon. After another couple of months, at a regular oncology visit my doctor noticed the swelling (finally) and put in an actual referral and recommended my surgeon revisit my situation. That is when I had a second surgery to remove additional tissue which helped a great deal.
You know your body and you will have to push them to address your concerns. Sometimes a lymphedema specialist can look and see better what is happening. There aren't many (unfortunately). I got lucky with a great massage therapist in my doctors practice who sent my records to the doctors and confirmed my lymphedema. I would press your doctors further and don't worry about 'hurting their feelings' or going against their opinions here. Not all doctors are very informed or concerned and you want to catch it early if possible….it's easier to treat and manage.
Keep us all posted and Hugs

I had sentinel node, but found out from the surgeon that since the machine could not track the dye, they removed several. I do get a little lymphedema occasionally but have learned to deal with it quickly. I had to learn this on my own as I needed an iv for an imaging and they could not get a vein on the left and bullied me into accepting it on the right and well you know what happened. The good news is that I had a great oncology nurse who explained to me about it and why I should protect it. That woman was the saint that saved me much grief over the last years. Getting me compression sleeves and teaching me where to get help when I need it. You are a very smart person to be looking into this and educating yourself, if it happens, fight for that referral because no suffering should be silenced. If I learned anything from being at Mayo Clinic, that was it.

My surgeon told me I shouldn’t worry, I won’t get Lymphedema; so when I did, I showed him and he sent me to a physical therapist who specializes in our condition. 2 years later, physical therapy, a compression vest with a sleeve, arm wraps & sleeves, it is under control.

Never let anyone do anything (take blood, blood pressure, anything) with or to your effected arm! If a tech does not listen to you, tell him to STOP & request to talk to someone in charge. I’m so sorry for your experience. Don’t be afraid to say NO and stand your ground.

Did I answer your question or just prattle on?

I have had bilateral breast cancer and NO ONE CARES. When I say I want stuff done in my foot, they do not want to. I have found two people that will draw from my foot, but what do I do if I need surgery? It seems no one in the NJ area cares. If I say anything, they all look at me and either do not answer or say “so”. The oncologist that fired me as a patient the other day (because I had questions for her) would not answer me when I told her of my concern and said that she did not seem to be concerned. I am glad she walked out of the room on me because I was not liking her. That is why I have an appointment with the head of oncology for the whole health network early next month. I am going to wait to talk to him before I make any decisions.

@cindylb I didn't have full mastectomies, just greatly reduced and reshaped so they're about a size "A" now…compared to F++ feels like I'm flat. Don't have to wear bras anymore AND in our pool I get on a float without top so I can sunbathe and get an even tan!!!!

I am on my fourth oncologist now (one time was because of an insurance change) but two were because it just wasn't a good fit. Keep working until you find someone you trust and who listens. Its too important not to do that.
Press for what you feel comfortable with for blood pressure checks and blood work sticks and such. Doctors haven't all caught up with the lymphedema risk yet.
Hugs

trixie1313 – isn't it great not wearing bras. That and I lost some weight I needed to drop through the whole ordeal….that's the only good thing I can say about cancer, ha ha!

LOL – I was hoping to lose weight, but with the Taxol chemo, I gained (which oncologist thought would happen) and with Femara (letrozole) my weight is holding. Phooey!!! Maybe after a while I can start losing some poundage.

trixie1313 – If it makes you feel any better…….several years into this all I have to do is look at a donut and I gain 2 pounds…ha ha

It makes me feel better that you have made the choice of finding the right oncologist for you. My first one was a good doctor I think, but he was unreasonable when he would not get a second reading on my diagnostic mamo….the report was full of errors and I asked for a second reading by a different radiologist and he said NO….WE HAVE GOOD DRs….who don’t know their left from their right and what years the two different cancers happened in and even more. He also yelled at me and told me the reason why I had anxiety was because I wouldn’t pay out of pocket for psychological counseling…WTH? Maybe I had anxiety because it was my second cancer and a radiologist had misdiagnosed it twice even though it clearly showed up on mamo and ultrasound…also I have great insurance so why would I even think of paying out of pocket…I still don’t get it, him throwing this in my face. The second was a woman that did not want to answer my questions and huffed out of the room when I pointed out she was wrong about a test report I had with me. Who needs someone who does not want to relate and who has you in a slot that says if this then that. Running out of the room was very unprofessional…she would not admit she was wrong. I think some of these doctors do not want us to read and understand our reports. Now I am looking for number 3. I sure hope I make a better choice this time.