axillary node biopsy

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marshabel
marshabel Member Posts: 142
axillary node biopsy

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  • marshabel
    marshabel Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2008

    Can anyone tell me about their experience with an axillary node biopsy? I had a sentinel node biopsy last year  at the same time that  I had my lumpectomy, and am wondering how this will be. The surgeon said he will only be removing the one node.

    Marsha 

  • jeanne46
    jeanne46 Member Posts: 1,941
    edited February 2008

    I had two axillary nodes removed about two weeks ago. It was done under general anesthesia and took less than an hour. No big deal at first. However by end of week one I started to notice some tightening when lifting my arm up straight up. My surgeon said it was nerve endings and would eventually go away. Exercise would help. As far as the node removal, I never had to take anything stronger than advil.



    Good luck to you.

  • twink
    twink Member Posts: 1,574
    edited February 2008

    I had the axillary node dissection one month following the bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction so I'm not sure how representative my experience was.  I was up and around the same day, took tylenol for a few days and was back to work on Monday (surgery was Friday).  I exeercised diligently following surgery and have full range of motion now.

  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited February 2008

    I had this done twice without being sedated. It was not too bad.  I've had bad IV's put in that hurt more. Also had lymph removed from behind the chest muscle without anything.  (Now that was not fun). I drove myself home after each one and just had a little tenderness for a few days.

    Living in hope,

    Flalady

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    My experience was a little different....the node that was being a problem was too deep in my arm pit to be removed easily so they did a same day surgery.....it wasnt as hard to recover from as the SNL biospy that was done with my lumpectomy, but that might have been due to the fact that it was the same surgeon and he used the original scar for the second one as well...

    As far as recovery, I had it a couple of days before my complete hystorectomy so didnt come back to work until 2 1/2 wks later but even with the too surgery's a couple of days apart I felt I could have returned to work within a week....

    Wishing you well

    Jule

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