Sentinel Node Biopsy numbness

Cheesequake

I just had a lumpectomy and SNB on Monday. The surgeon warned me that after my SNB there was a chance that I'd experience numbness/tingling under my arm, and now I sort of am - the top half of the back of my left arm is definitely affected. I still have feeling, it isn't exactly tingling, but it's clearly "not quite right." There are definitely some affected nerves there. What the surgeon didn't tell me is, how likely is this to be permanent?

doxie

Cheesequake,

I like that name!

Yes, numbness and tingling are normal and can last for years, but usually gets better within a year. When your nerves that were cut start regenerating, you'll likely feel mild electrical shocks in the area from the incision through your upper arm.