Recovery expectations after lumpectomy + SNB

SoCalDawn

Hello all!

I have scoured some topics but have a specific question about recovery expectations after lumpectomy and haven't been able to find an answer. Recovery time/pain sounds minimal but I would like to know a bit more about what to expect. DX is High grade DCIS Grade 3/3 Comedonecrosis. MRI shows no other sites and BS says site is small. Lumpectomy + SNB is scheduled for 11/20.  I am a full-time single mom, self-employed w/ no recliner. I will have someone who will be driving me home after surgery and my son will stay with friends likely for a couple days. I plan to have clothing, food, juice etc easily accessible and will plant myself on the couch (propped up as necessary) for however long it takes. Will I be okay by myself, dealing with drain(s), bathing, dressing etc or will I really need someone here? If I need someone here (for more than a few hrs), that will take a bit of planning. If I don't really need someone here, I don't want to make those arrangements. Major kudos to all of you that have braved BC DX and all that follows. I know each journey is different and I have much respect for all of you! Thx in advance!

idaho

if you are like me you will not have drains... I was up and around the next day with little pain- didn't take any pain pills..You should be ok to take care of yourself.    Hopefully you will have as smooth of sailing!  Tami

SoCalDawn

That's encouraging!  Thank you! The surgeon mentioned drains. I assume that is something that is decided at the time of surgery? He plans to do a flap advancement to minimize caving. Did you have SNB as well? Did you have radiation/chemo or tamox?

cornellalum

I had my lumpectomy earlier this week on Monday morning, but no SNB.  On Tuesday, I was fine (and home alone).  I was a little sore, and it's a little uncomfortable sleeping because I keep turning over on to the incision.  I went back to work on Thursday - no problem.  I probably could have worked on Wednesday, except that I couldn't shower until 48 hours after the surgery, and I was not about to inflict myself on my co-workers without a shower! LOL.

Mantra

I didn't have drains with my lumpectomy & SNB. I also didn't require any pains meds at all (not even a Tylenol). The only pain was from the SNB. It did take weeks to heal but it was very do-able.

j414

I didn't have drains either. My lumpectomy was on a tuesday, went back to work on thursday and friday for 1/2 days and went away that weekend. I was swollen and a little sore, but it was very manageable. My doctor gave me a script (which I filled) for vicodin (sp?), but I never took it - tylenol was enough. The worst part for me was the anesthesia hangover. I was nauseous when I first woke up from the surgery and after about 2 hours the nurse gave me something in the IV and that helped a lot - we actually stopped for dinner (at 11:00 pm) on the way home.  I had a dull anesthesia headache and felt tired (even though I was getting a lot of sleep), but I drank a lot of water and within a day or two I began to feel better.

Don't plan on lifting anything heavy for a week to 10 days, but everything else will be doable.

Also, wear a button down shirt to the hospital - your arm will be a little sore from the SNB, so putting a shirt over your head will be a little difficult for the first couple of days.  And have an ice pack on hand and fill it with part ice/part water (so there aren't any sharp edges) - it will help with the swelling. 

Best,
J

SoCalDawn

Thank you, ladies. You have eased my mind substantially! Though I have many family and friends for support. Having specific feedback from those who have been there is priceless! I wish the best for all of you and yours!

KRMC

Mine was out patient.  Got a little sick from the anethesia the first day. I had help for a couple days for food etc.  I took my pain pills just for good needed rest from the exhaustion and worry before the surgery.  I ended up having to have a 2nd surgery also because I did not have clear margins after the first one.  I had surgery on May 1st and May 13th. No drains either time.  I lost 10 lbs during that time. Its just really hard to shower the next day and reaching with the affected side is kind of hard. Its hard to move around in bed, cant lay on the surgery side, they suggest you prop yourself up.    I advise you to take all the time you can  to rest for yourself.  My incision got infected and had to take antibiotics for a couple weeks.  That delayed my radiation treatments almost a month. I had 28 reg rad treatments along with 8 boosts.  It took all summer long.  I am doing really good now and getting my energy back.   I wish you the best.