This might be a newbie question....but when you have a mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy (say 2-3 nodes), just how common is lymphedema? They keep telling me it's "low" but then every time I talk with someone who has had a mastectomy they are either having to manage it or are altering their lives significantly in order to reduce risk.
I had a double mastectomy w/ 2-3 nodes biopsied as well 3/21/24 and did not develop lymphedema. Prior to the surgery however, I had a cancer nutritionist who provided me with a food plan and had a blood test that identifies food sensitivities by analyzing the inflammatory response of white blood cells to various foods and chemicals (MRT). Further, the oncologist stated to stay hydrated and exercise. I also used a vibration plate before and after surgery (get doctor approval for after surgery). This assisted with the lymphatic movement and increased my recovery. I did not develop lymphedema.
This might be a newbie question....but when you have a mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy (say 2-3 nodes), just how common is lymphedema? They keep telling me it's "low" but then every time I talk with someone who has had a mastectomy they are either having to manage it or are altering their lives significantly in order to reduce risk.
I had mastectomy on the left side with 2 sentinel nodes removed. This was 4 years ago and I don't have any lymphedema. It is low with 2 or 3 removed. From what I was told the more lymph nodes that are taken out the more a chance to have lymphedema.
Good luck and sending hugs.
This might be a newbie question....but when you have a mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy (say 2-3 nodes), just how common is lymphedema? They keep telling me it's "low" but then every time I talk with someone who has had a mastectomy they are either having to manage it or are altering their lives significantly in order to reduce risk.
I had a double mastectomy 3/3/25 with only 1 sentinel node removed in the compromising Rt breast. I ended up with lymphedema at least that's what we think it is. The swelling is not too noticeable. I only noticed it myself, I think when the numbing went down in that area. It feels puffy so my therapist says she wasn't sure at 1st if it really is lymphedema, but we are treating as if it is. The area is my armpit and straight across to my chest only on the rt and in the fat pad of my shoulder blade area.
My concern now is I also have nerve pain. I have the iron bra syndrome too, which is slowly going away. But the nerve pain is crazy. It calms down at night when I'm still lying down. Once I get up and moving it comes back. The pain is like a severe sunburn, and it can act up at times like it's a motor going crazy with the pain. I'm now on Gabapentin but it is only masking it a bit. I just started using an Infared sauna. I have heard good reports on it for treating lymphedema and wound therapy, yet there isn't much as far as studies done on it. I don't use the real high heat through.
This might be a newbie question....but when you have a mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy (say 2-3 nodes), just how common is lymphedema? They keep telling me it's "low" but then every time I talk with someone who has had a mastectomy they are either having to manage it or are altering their lives significantly in order to reduce risk.
Thank you! My swelling still doesn’t go down after almost 2 months now. I shave appointment with a surgeon this week for hematoma and will ask her about lymphedema. I have compression bras that I wear for only a week after the surgery. It’s very uncomfortable but we do what we have to do. I hope you will completely recover from lymphedema. Thanks you so much for the information 🙏🤗
ALL day and part of evening. The therapist suggested wearing it to sleep but I haven’t tried that.
Medicare and supplemental insurance will pay for lymphedema clinic and lymphedema bras and sleeves if needed.
Good luck. 🙏
I had mastectomy in October 2024. About 6 weeks ago I was still having lots of discomfort and swelling underarm and under side of upper arm. Finally got my NP to realize something wasn’t right so she sent me to a lymphedema clinic. The lady there was super kind and taught me how to massage the area of arm. After a week and a half I am better and optimistic that it will improve even
More ! I also wear a compression bra now which also helps !
Hi Myoga!
Thank you for your info.
No i don’t have a hematoma. So sorry to hear you do. I would think it should heal well soon.
Now my issue is swelling on Rt side where Sentinal node came from. It is going from back to front
I hope it’s not lymphedema. Went to PT today & she worked on it & said she doesn’t know yet if it is.
I had mastectomy in October 2024. About 6 weeks ago I was still having lots of discomfort and swelling underarm and under side of upper arm. Finally got my NP to realize something wasn’t right so she sent me to a lymphedema clinic. The lady there was super kind and taught me how to massage the area of arm. After a week and a half I am better and optimistic that it will improve even
More ! I also wear a compression bra now which also helps !
Hi Myoga!
Thank you for your info.
No i don’t have a hematoma. So sorry to hear you do. I would think it should heal well soon.
Now my issue is swelling on Rt side where Sentinal node came from. It is going from back to front
I hope it’s not lymphedema. Went to PT today & she worked on it & said she doesn’t know yet if it is.
I think it’s too early to tell. I still have swelling under the armpit and the iron bra sensation has not completely gone. The PT didn’t think it lymphedema. You’ll see a big improvement after 4 weeks. It’s the hematoma that messes up my healing time. My sister had the surgery last year. She was sailing through, no pain, no iron bra, just a small restriction in motion that she needed to stretch to get rid of it. A good doctor makes a big difference. You will heal well and resume your favorite activities soon. Best.
My surgery was 7 weeks ago and I still feel tender and tight across my chest. It took me more than 6 weeks to feel better, probably because of the hematoma. I have to do warm compression everyday (after 4 weeks of healing) and probably it will take a few months to a year for the hematoma to go away completely. If you don't have hematoma, you will heal faster. The iron bra will go away after a while, from 4 to 6 weeks. Just relax and let ppl take care of you. It will get better. Hugs
Hi Myoga!
Thank you for your info.
No i don’t have a hematoma. So sorry to hear you do. I would think it should heal well soon.
Now my issue is swelling on Rt side where Sentinal node came from. It is going from back to front
I hope it’s not lymphedema. Went to PT today & she worked on it & said she doesn’t know yet if it is.
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I had a double mastectomy w/ 2-3 nodes biopsied as well 3/21/24 and did not develop lymphedema. Prior to the surgery however, I had a cancer nutritionist who provided me with a food plan and had a blood test that identifies food sensitivities by analyzing the inflammatory response of white blood cells to various foods and chemicals (MRT). Further, the oncologist stated to stay hydrated and exercise. I also used a vibration plate before and after surgery (get doctor approval for after surgery). This assisted with the lymphatic movement and increased my recovery. I did not develop lymphedema.
Hi,
I had mastectomy on the left side with 2 sentinel nodes removed. This was 4 years ago and I don't have any lymphedema. It is low with 2 or 3 removed. From what I was told the more lymph nodes that are taken out the more a chance to have lymphedema.
Good luck and sending hugs.
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3 ReactionsI had a double mastectomy 3/3/25 with only 1 sentinel node removed in the compromising Rt breast. I ended up with lymphedema at least that's what we think it is. The swelling is not too noticeable. I only noticed it myself, I think when the numbing went down in that area. It feels puffy so my therapist says she wasn't sure at 1st if it really is lymphedema, but we are treating as if it is. The area is my armpit and straight across to my chest only on the rt and in the fat pad of my shoulder blade area.
My concern now is I also have nerve pain. I have the iron bra syndrome too, which is slowly going away. But the nerve pain is crazy. It calms down at night when I'm still lying down. Once I get up and moving it comes back. The pain is like a severe sunburn, and it can act up at times like it's a motor going crazy with the pain. I'm now on Gabapentin but it is only masking it a bit. I just started using an Infared sauna. I have heard good reports on it for treating lymphedema and wound therapy, yet there isn't much as far as studies done on it. I don't use the real high heat through.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThis might be a newbie question....but when you have a mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy (say 2-3 nodes), just how common is lymphedema? They keep telling me it's "low" but then every time I talk with someone who has had a mastectomy they are either having to manage it or are altering their lives significantly in order to reduce risk.
Is this common? Thank you in advance!
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1 ReactionThank you! My swelling still doesn’t go down after almost 2 months now. I shave appointment with a surgeon this week for hematoma and will ask her about lymphedema. I have compression bras that I wear for only a week after the surgery. It’s very uncomfortable but we do what we have to do. I hope you will completely recover from lymphedema. Thanks you so much for the information 🙏🤗
ALL day and part of evening. The therapist suggested wearing it to sleep but I haven’t tried that.
Medicare and supplemental insurance will pay for lymphedema clinic and lymphedema bras and sleeves if needed.
Good luck. 🙏
Do you wear compression bra all day or just a few hours a day? Thanks.
I had mastectomy in October 2024. About 6 weeks ago I was still having lots of discomfort and swelling underarm and under side of upper arm. Finally got my NP to realize something wasn’t right so she sent me to a lymphedema clinic. The lady there was super kind and taught me how to massage the area of arm. After a week and a half I am better and optimistic that it will improve even
More ! I also wear a compression bra now which also helps !
Good luck to you in your journey. 🙏
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI think it’s too early to tell. I still have swelling under the armpit and the iron bra sensation has not completely gone. The PT didn’t think it lymphedema. You’ll see a big improvement after 4 weeks. It’s the hematoma that messes up my healing time. My sister had the surgery last year. She was sailing through, no pain, no iron bra, just a small restriction in motion that she needed to stretch to get rid of it. A good doctor makes a big difference. You will heal well and resume your favorite activities soon. Best.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi Myoga!
Thank you for your info.
No i don’t have a hematoma. So sorry to hear you do. I would think it should heal well soon.
Now my issue is swelling on Rt side where Sentinal node came from. It is going from back to front
I hope it’s not lymphedema. Went to PT today & she worked on it & said she doesn’t know yet if it is.