I’ve had a bilateral mastectomy and it looks like I have a basketball

I think you’re right, I always think I’m bothering.

I have not. I good physical or occupational massage therapist would know if that would be helpful. I also never wore a sleeve because the massage worked. I was told it is important not to wait too long to get treatment because there is a point at which it is hard to turn the lymphedema around.

I have had discomfort in my rib cage area that was from the drains. My surgery was 6 weeks ago, and I still can't lie on my side comfortably. Not that this is your situation, but mu surgeon told me that after a mastectomy, many women don't realize how large their stomachs were because you couldn't see them. That was me! I think you should see a physician now to see what is causing your problem.

Yes I was told that as well. I’ll be seeing my oncologist soon. It’s been 3 month’s discomfort especially under my rib cage. I’m not overweight so my abdomen shouldn’t like I’m pregnant, ugh 😩

@conk. I totally agree. I am 4 weeks in from my left breast removal. The right was removed at the height of covid so lateral was out of the question because the second one would have been elective. Fast forward exactly 3 years I had the left removed. I also was amazed with the boobs not in the way I realized my middle is so prominent. So I guess I have to work on that😊. This time around I have experienced more nerve pain. I take advil regularly and I started icing as well. Any other suggestions out there.

I had a lot of nerve pain on my left side as well along with muscle spasming. Muscle relaxers plus alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen every 3 hours helped calm everything down. I am 12 weeks out now and feel a lot better and hopefully you will feel better soon too.

I am startled when I hear all of you lovely women have had this basketball following surgery with lymph gland removal. I had my surgery in 1968 and 14 lymph glands were removed (some were down the chest wall toward the abdomen). I had the drains in my chest for about two weeks and then nothing else. I did not have any lymph edema and until the last couple of years, no arm swelling. This was following a Radical Mastectomy, I have had some swelling of my right arm (not from the simple mastectomy but from a shoulder replacement). I think, it is just a little too much surgery to that side of my body. Has you doctor suggested any diuretics. I have swelling to my ankles (again too much surgery including a recent Aortic Valve Replacement). The diuretics seem to keep the swelling in my ankles under control. I did go to the lymphadema clinic and they taught me how to massage my arm which seems to help quite a bit. I also have some compression gloves I wear if my hands begin to swell. They work like magic. They are very inexpensive (less than $15.00). I buy the ones with the open fingertips. I sincerely hope, something I have said will help you one and all.
Gina5009