My mastectomy and sentinel node removal was done on Oct 25, 2013. When I saw my surgeon and said that I felt like I had a pillow under my arm, his response was that many women say that but it isn't really there. I could look in the mirror though and see the difference from my other side. Three months have passed and I don't notice it anymore. I think part of the problem was that the surgeon left extra skin and some fat so that the plastic surgeon would have more to work with for reconstruction. We will see how it ends up after the next step!

With my mastectomies (one breast at a time...) the surgeon used drains. She inserted little, very little tubes before finish sewing the skin together during surgery. Then I wore a drain (or fluid catcher)so that slowly drained out. Took about 8-9 days to drain, but they then took the tubing out in an office visit and slapped a bandaid on the little incision area. It was a strange sensation, but not painful at all. (And I am a wimp about pain, just ask anyoneone who knows me!

I feel badly that this wasn't an option for you, and others who have/had the fluid issue.

I have it and have had it since my surgery in 2010 (2 surgeries actually)..they tell me it's a seroma. Fluid build up around the area where they removed the cancer. They tell me they can insert a long syringe and drain it, but most likely it'll fill back up. The thought of them touching me and inserting anything in the incision is enough to throw me for a loop! So it's sensitive and yes I know there's fluid in there, but I have no plans to do anything about it.

I would call in and talk to your surgeon about it.

I did! Thought I was going crazy! Had seroma and had it drained