Side Effects of Double Mastectomies
Double mastectomies don't come without their side effects, but each person will have a different experience. Some of the most common side effects after surgery include:
- Pain or tenderness
- Swelling at the surgery site
- Build-up of blood in the wound (hematoma)
- Build-up of clear fluid in the wound (seroma)
- Limited arm or shoulder movement
- Numbness in the chest or upper arm
Another side effect is post-mastectomy pain syndrome, also known as PMPS. Patients describe it as a shooting or burning pain in the chest wall, armpit, or the arm that doesn't go away over time. This type of pain is also known as nerve or neuropathic pain.
Like with all operations, bleeding and infection can occur at the incision site.
Did you know...
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