Lumpectomy Tomorrow-What to expect

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Tomorrow I will be having a lumpectomy. I guess I am looking for a little heads up as to what I can expect.  Pain, swolling, etc. I am very nervous, I am so afraid of surgery.  Any suggestions, what type of bra should I wear, clothing, etc.  I

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  • j414
    j414 Member Posts: 321
    edited April 2011

    Hi Sue,

    I hate surgery too, but overall, this wasn't bad.  I can honestly say that having my wisdom tooth pulled was more painful. I actually went back to work after two days - I felt fine (and I was climbing the walls waiting for the biospy results).

    After the surgery, my breast was really swollen - it was uncomfortable, but not painful.  Have a good ice pack on hand, one that you fill up with ice.  Fill it 1/2 ice and 1/2 water (so there are no sharp edges from the ice) and that will help with the swelling. It took about two weeks for the breast swelling to go down. 

    The bigger problem for me was the sentinel node biopsy.  My underarm and down my arm (to around my elbow) felt tight really tight and tingly.  The surgeon said there aren't a lot of nerves in the breast, but there are millions in the underarm area, which is why it can be uncomfortable.  She gave me a script for percocet, but I just ended up taking some tylenol and that worked fine. The sentinel node arm stayed kind of tingly for a couple of months, but that too healed. Also, keep the sentinel node arm moving because if you don't you could develop frozen shoulder.  I developed frozen shoulder and that was painful - took almost a year for it to clear up.

    Tomorrow, you should wear a button down shirt - it may be a little uncomfortable for you to lift your arm over your head for a couple of days. Also, it will take several days for the anesthesia to wear off. You will probably feel a little lightheaded, like a bad hangover.  Drink a lot of water and don't push yourself. 

    Good luck tomorrow, this is the scariest time, but it will be over in a couple of hours.

    Best,

  • webstertoo
    webstertoo Member Posts: 51
    edited April 2011

    My lump wasn't too deep and I had only two nodes removed from my breast area.  I was sent home in a special bra, tight binding, and told to keep it on for a number of days.  I live by myself and had no problems afterwards,  It was fall and I wanted to get out raking leaves but my doctor said to take it easy for a week or two.  Best of luck tomorrow.

  • Mantra
    Mantra Member Posts: 968
    edited April 2011

    I didn't find the lumpectomy to be painful at all.  No drain . . . no pain. The only pain was from the SNB. I went home a few hours post op. I don't recall whether I wore a bra afterwards. I know for sure that if I did, it wasn't a special type of bra. Best wishes for an easy surgery and recovery.

  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2011

    Hi Suebak,

    Good luck with your surgery tomorrow.  My lumpectomy wasnt painful at all.  I had mine done under local sedation and also had Radio Frequency Ablation as part of the surgical procedure.  I was given a script for painkillers but didnt need to even take them.  I was told to wear a sports bra for at least a week and from others I know were told the same.  I did not have any nodes tested.  Good vibes and prayers coming your way!

  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited April 2011

    Good luck tomorrow!  My lumpectomy was a breeze. I didn't need any pain killers afterwards and my breast only got a little swollen. The armpit was ok too, just a little tender. The day following the surgery I called the doctor to see if I could do some arm exercises. He said yes.  I did them faithfully every day and the swelling went down completely. I walked my dogs the following day (1 1/2 hours) and began jogging as soon as the breast swelling went away (about a week)  I had one node removed.

    The two scars have healed beautifully!

  • nwest125
    nwest125 Member Posts: 240
    edited April 2011

    I wore a sports bra for a good while, I think it just felt better for me . The only problem I had was with the temperary tube they put it, I was planning on the 5 day internal radiation. But it didnt work out as planned. Other than that it wasnt so bad. I still have trouble with my underarm where they took out 2 of my nodes

  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited April 2011

    j414 already wrote and told it like it is, as far as my own experience. The SNB area was more sensitive after surgery than the lump site & I could feel the tightening.  Without even knowing about "frozen shoulder," I was stretching the area by about the third or fourth day.  The stitches probably had not even disolved, but I knew I did not want the area to get tight. 

    One other thing, if you are getting the radioactive tracer (shot) to locate the sentinel nodes, you're gonna feel it.  I usually am oblivious to normal shots, but that was a stinger.

  • suebak
    suebak Member Posts: 199
    edited April 2011

    Thank you for all the advice.  I just can't wait until it is over. 

  • suebak
    suebak Member Posts: 199
    edited April 2011

    Surgery went well.  Three incisions, one on each breast and one under the arm. Dr. lifted the left breast to match the right, a little extra bonus I guess. I am having some pain under the right arm and it is swollen, but not so bad.  Dr did the sentinol node shots while I was asleep, which was nice. Now just waiting for results of pathology, I am praying I do not need kemo, but if I do, I will deal with that too. Thank you all for your advice.  Don't know what I would have done without you guys.

  • AnewBeginning
    AnewBeginning Member Posts: 536
    edited April 2011

    Great!  One major thing behind you and hope this the nodes are negative.  So glad its over

    hugs to ya!

    AJ

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