When should I seek care for hematoma?

[LoriDeVille]

I have questions about hematomas. I had a lumpectomy 10/06/08 and came out with my b cup turned to a dd!!! my breast is black and blue and hard, and I can palpate a mass about the size of a pool ball in my breast.  I have had much more pain and swelling and bruising than I had planned on....
I went to Dr office on day 4  and they told me it was a hematoma, but no great suggestions on what to do about it.  
It is now day 8 and the swelling is going down a bit but I think the hematoma is bigger.
I called the office yesterday and they told me to follow up on friday but I am concerned.
Lori

[japdip]

As a rule after surgery it is recommended that you apply ice packs to reduce the amt. of bleeding that takes place. After a hematoma forms (as in your case) warm moist compresses can aid in the absorption process. Hematomas often take a considerable amount of time to go away. Regards .....

[Irishgal2]

Hi Lori,

I was the exact same after my BC was removed.  Like you, the swelling went down as too did the bruising, but not the hematoma.  The doctors put a needle in to try to draw the blood out, but very little came out.  What they told me was that over time the blood (hematoma) would dissolve itself.  My surgery was March 2007 and I still have a bit of a hematoma still, but it is softer to the touch and much reduced.  It does not bother me at all and if anything, stopped my breast from dimpling when the lump and tissue was removed.  The doctor told me on my last visit that the hematoma is nothing to worry about and that it may not desolve completely.  I do massage the hematoma now and again, it is supposed to help with disolving.

Good luck.