Recovery expectations after lumpectomy + SNB

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

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.

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

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.