Side Effects | Stomach distended and hard and will Not go away

Dslaughter

I just had a bilateral mastectomy on the 29th of April 2020 and my drain stayed in for about 4 weeks but after I was able to move around I noticed that my stomach was like really hard and round exceptionally round like a beer gut and I was thinking it was because I didn't have breast anymore but it's not that, it is still that way now and I supposedly been able to go back to work 6th June and it has not left and I have lost the weight not a lot but I have lost the weight but that stomach is still hard and still be big like I'm pregnant and it's very upsetting and I've asked about it at my doctor and nobody is able to tell me so I'm having a colonoscopy in a few weeks and I asked for an endoscopy to see if it's something in there if someone finds out any information please let me know cuz I will tell you the results of my endoscopy if they find anything I'm going to ask the gastroenterologist about it, good luck ladies is all I can say and I didn't have the reconstructive surgery because I had breast cancer before and I had radiation and they told me that on that particular side I was not going to be eligible for it because my skin would not stretch anymore, but if anybody knows anything please put it on here so I can read it thanks and I'm praying for us all to figure out how we can Live with this new shape of our body that I don't think you're not supposed to have

beachbum5817

We;lcome to WhatNext. I am sorry that you are having some problems. My only thought on your issue is that maybe it is lymphedema. After my double mastectomy, I was going for physical therapy to improve the movement in my left arm (my tumor was on that side). While there, my therapist noticed that I had lymphedema. She was trained in dealing with it. I just thought that I was gaining weight. She was able to get it to go away in my left arm and made a big difference in my abdomen. Hopefully some other members will have different answers for you. Keep us posted on what you find out. We are here for you. Take care.

Lorie

I don't have any info but I just wanted to wish you luck. Beach Bums idea sounded good and might be a place to start if you know somebody who's versed in that field

cak61

Search questions for stomach swollen after mastectomy.
I know I have read others with the same issue.
There are a couple of questions with answers on here.
Hope you feel better soon.

MLT

Can't help with stomach issue, but if you get it resolved you may be able to get DIEP flap reconstruction. Belly flap replaces breast, so no stretching of current skin. It is major surgery, so a big decision. Wishing you all the best.