Yvette we have had this conversation here before and most women rather keep it safe than be sorry later because if lymphedema happens its usually there forever.

Besides I don't trust the word of doctors for anything. They have opinions and if they never had to deal with any of this, they lack expertise.

I was told by my surgeon (I'm getting a sentinel node biopsy on Friday), that it's perfectly ok for blood draws on the arm after and as Barbara stated there might be some challenges but it is still ok to do

At St 1, Node neg., Vas-skin neg, total mastectomy, 4mm clear margins w/no reconstruction, IDC w/DCIS, I refuse chemo and working with Functional Med. Oncology with terrain approach. This requires extensive monitoring and repeat blood draws almost every three months. It has been nearly 1 year since mastectomy, and I am concern the veins in unaffected are will become compromised from repeat blood draws. Is it not advised to get draws on affected arm after having 4 sentinel nodes removed? I have never shown signs of lymphodema before or after mastectomy.

Thanks all. Continue using the "good" arm. What do they do for women who had both breast removed and lymph nodes on both sides removed?