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Mastectomy Plus Lymph Nodes. Using Same Arm For Blood Draw After Five Years?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Dallas, TX
November 17, 2024
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A MyBCTeam Member

I asked about this, and the consensus from my caregivers all matched- unless there is some reason that the non-surgical side cannot be used- they would all prefer to use that side for draws. While the risk is low- it does still exist, and all would err on the side of caution. My mother gets her vaccinations, one in each arm, at the same time. Because I will only use the one side, I space mine 4 weeks apart, to give my system time to deal with one med, before adding a second to contend with.

November 18, 2024 (edited)
A MyBCTeam Member

If you've had a mastectomy and lymph node removal, it's generally recommended to use the opposite arm for blood draws to reduce the risk of lymphedema. However, if it's been five years since your surgery, the risk of developing lymphedema is lower, but it still exists.

Recommendations
- Prefer using the unaffected arm Show Full Answer

If you've had a mastectomy and lymph node removal, it's generally recommended to use the opposite arm for blood draws to reduce the risk of lymphedema. However, if it's been five years since your surgery, the risk of developing lymphedema is lower, but it still exists.

Recommendations:
- Prefer using the unaffected arm for blood draws indefinitely.
- If both sides had lymph nodes removed, consult your doctor for the best options, which may include using other veins like those in the foot.
- Always monitor for signs of infection or lymphedema, such as swelling, warmth, or discoloration, and inform your doctor immediately if they occur.

November 17, 2024

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