Lumpectomy - what can i expect?

Shayne,

I had an excisional biopsy (essentially the same procedure) for what turned out to be ADH a little over a year ago.  I had never had a general anesthetic before, but I had no problems as far as that was concerned.  Bring a sports bra to the surgery with you for afterwards.  They gave me a small ice pack that fit in my bra at the hospital-- this helped.  The pain was very manageable-- had the procedure done on a Tuesday and was back at the gym in under a week.  Scar was probably about  1 1/2" long right above the nipple , but a couple of months later I had a breast reduction, so the PS totally got rid of that scar.  Speaking from a purely physical point of view, the lumpectomy was no big deal, and the recovery was easy.

My lump was about 1.4 cm and my breasts were a full A or small B.  I had a lumpectomy and my breast did not really look any different other than the incision.  My lump was in the 11 o'clock position near the arm pit side.  I was sore but not it tons of pain.  I took pain pills for 2 days I think just to take the edge off.  I went back to teaching aerobics 10 days later. 

I had a lumpectomy for a 2.5 cm lump.  The scar was small, perhaps 1-1/2 inch, there was a bit of a divot from tissue removal, but in a bra was not noticable.  I had more pain from the sentinal lymphnode biopsy than from the lumpectomy.  There was an additional incision for that in my armpit, it was very sore and tight, but certainly not debilitating. I think I only took pain meds for a day or two.  

I do know that anesthesia makes me nauseous so I asked for meds for that and did not have any problems.  Anti-nauseau meds can cause constipation.  Take a stool softener before the surgery if that is a concern.  

This is a day surgery, you'll spend a few hours in recovery and then go home the day of the procedure.  You'll need someone to drive you.  I went downhill skiing a few weeks later which helped alot with range of movement issues I had with the lymphnode removal.   

I don't think anyone could accurately tell you what your breast will look like after since it depends on your surgeon, the original size of your breast, where your lump is and how much tissue is removed to get clear margins.  You might consider a pre-surgery consult with a plastic surgeon. Ask your breast surgeon for a referral.

Good luck.

Hi ladies-I had a lumpectomy, sentinol biopsy, and had my left breast reduced so that is would match the right (cancer side).  The only scar I have is under my right arm from the sentinol bio.  I have no scars on my breast.  Looked as if they cut around the nipples, therefore, there is no scarring.  My right nipple is a bit smaller than the left, but not horrible to look at.  As far as pain, I did not have much at all.  When I woke up from the procedure, I was ready to go home.  Felt pretty good.  I took off from my job for 2 weeks, honestly one week would have been enough.  Good luck to you, Shayne and Alison

Hi Shayne - I had a lumpectomy and then re-excision for clear margins.  I had never had any previous surgery in my life.  I did great.  My tumor was 1.9cm and was in the outer quadrant.  I had about C cup breasts.  Since the second surgery I do have a scar and I personally think it is unsightly.  My DH does not mind it.  No one would every know as it did not really reduce the overall size of my breast, I just have a divot but it can't be seen when I'm dressed.  I had chemotherapy and will be starting radiationt his month.  I am happy with my decision for a lumpectomy.  Of course your breast will look somewhat different, but your tumor is small and I think you should have a favorable outcome.  Surgery itself was a breeze, easiest thing I've done so far!  Good luck to all you ladies just starting this journey!

I agree re; pain meds: (But I didn't have nodes removed which I think is a bit tougher)  I had a prescription for Hydrocodone and took them the first day on the schedule they told me to use because I had always heard "stay ahead of the pain" and I really didn't know what to expect.  We had a bad storm that night that didn't bother me but petrified my dogs.  I had to get up to comfort them but was unsuccessful. As I moved around, I could tell I was drugged and didn't like the feeling. I ended up turning on the lights to drown out the lightning and the TV for the thunder and slept through everything as soon as the dogs stopped hyperventilating. The next day I felt fine and didn't even take a tylenol.  For my reexcision, since I had some experience now, I didn't take anything during the day aftert surgery but did take 1 hydrocodone that night to make sure I would sleep.  Again no tylenol on day 2.  Evidently there aren't that many nerve endings and so there wasn't that much pain.  My reexcision was Feb 14 and now I do get some sharp pains in my breast that my doc says are nerve endings growing back, but I stretch may chest out often during the day (kind of a Mick Jagger, throw-my-elbows-back sort of pose andthen up above my head and that seems to help.)  I chose to think of them as my "take that Stinkin' Cancer" slaps instead of "oh no pain". This actually is very empowering for me.  

I also used the small ice pack the hospital gave rather than the tylenols in an effort to stay ahead of the pain the second time around and I truly believe that helped with the healing too. I have sports bras (I'm 42 DD so heavy)  but chose to keep the large ace bandage wrapped around me. It just seemed easier. 

I was really serious about not picking up anything heavy with my right arm.  (I'm right handed and did use my arm, but just not as I normally would.) Both my surgeries were on a Tuesday and I took the rest of the week off each time, though I don't know that I really needed to do so, but I believe that helped my healing and scar and would do it again if work would allow it.  When I did return the following Mondays I worked a lot shelving books etc (I'm a librarian) and could definitley tell the following day.  I swim so my arms are stong and I was surprised that I was sore, but as my surgeon said:  Remember: you have had a trauma and it is going to take a while to heal, so let yourself heal.

I work hard to "get my mind right."  i.e. I'm in charge:  Not cancer.  My team is going into the trenches and getting this unwelcomed visitor the boot.  I knew my stinkin' thinkin' was under control when my blood pressure on surgery day was 114/74 when it is 144/78 when I just go to the gynocoliogist!  I kept telling my caregiver sister how ready and happy I was that the day had finally arrived and we both burst out laughing when the nurse announced my Blood Pressure: Told you so, Cancer!  When the nurse put the IV in, a tiny ouch, we were coming to get you. As I answered questions and signed papers, it was official:  You are on your way out, and I'll be in the recovery room smiling at my team while you are on the way to be sliced and diced, pickled and frozen, dyed and inspected, or whatever the h*ll pathology wants to do with you! 

You are going to do great!   

Shayne, you know me.  Had the wire. Very easy.  Lumpectomy, no pain.  I took one Hydrocodone and it was for the sore throat from being intubated.

As far as a sedatives are concerned, you need to ask your doctor but they can give you something in the hospital but you must ask for it. You really won't need it.  One second you are looking around, the next second you are waking up with that mammosite sticking out of your breast but all taped down on your chest.

It is all very tolerable.  One step a a time with long waits in between.

I had the wires.  They are not a big deal.  I had one via MRI and the other two via mammo.  They put a hallow needle in first, to get it to the correct place, then insert the wire.  They give you a shot to numb you beforehand, so you really only feel pressure.  The thing that bothered me more than any breast pain, after surgery, was a sore throat!  (and hot tea helped a lot)

I had several mamograms (lost count) which I find unbearableand then the wire inserted without anesthestic before the surgery. I found the genera; anesthetic affected me the worst.  I was emotional for days and had severe bloating from the general anesthetic.  I went to work 2 days later but felt like I was intoxicated. I still found working difficult the following week if I did too much walking.  My incision would start to hurt and then watery fluid would come out.  The surgeon prescribed 50 pain meds but didn't have to use any except one week later when we applied some polysporin to the incision.  The incision is very sensistive and like electrical shocks when touched.  I find it uncomfortable to sleep.  I also find I need major support.  If I put my hand over my breast and apply pressure the pain is gone.  I found even twelve days later I still had some difficulty sleeping last night due to pain.  We do not have a major centre here for breast cancer so a general surgeon removed my cluster of calcification.  He used regular sutures which I read is rarely done.  I had a drain which they say is a good thing because it prevents a hematoma from developing.

One other thing, Shayne, keep your mind flexible and don't set your mind on any one thing.  Be like your dog, with no expectatons. 

Last week I had two big disapointments.  First the mammosite was a no go and then clear margins on all sides except one requiring another lumectomy.  I don't know what will happen if they cannot get that last clear margin.  Mastectomy?  Rads to finish it off?  I don't know.  My mind is more settled not expecting too much.

Personally, I think your SAVI will go just fine especially if it is more in your breast and not on the border like mine.   I would say mine is about 1 o'clock looking at me from the front.

Last July, I had a wire-guided wedge re-section (i.e., lumpectomy) for a 2.1 cm tumour located in the upper-, outer quadrant of my left breast.  I, also, had a partial lymph node dissection during which seven nodes were removed (the lower axilliary chain) when the sentinel node tested positive for cancer cells.

It was day surgery.  I was admitted at 7:00 am and was home in time for dinner.  No stitches.  No painkillers prescribed or needed.  My biopsy hurt more than the surgery did.  A front-zip sports bra was invaluable over the next week not only for the support, but to keep a gauze pad in place for (very) minor blood leakage from the incision.  Within a week, I was back out on my bicycle (firmly zipped into said sports bra) to continue my regular 20-mile hikes.

The one, positive node meant chemotherapy in addition to breast radiation, and I opted for regional node radiation (i.e. to the underarm, neck and clavicle), as well based on a number of factors.

Today, the scars (an approximately 2-inch one on my breast and a smaller one just in front of my underarm) are nearly invisible.  I was a B-cup before- and after surgery; the only visible difference is that my left breast is flatter in the upper-, outer quadrant than the right, but not enough to need an "insert" when I wear a bra.

I had the wire insertion too...painless. As for the lumpectomy I hardly knew it had been done. I t was day surgery...at the hospital at 6 am...lots of pre op tests...surgery at 1 pm and home by 6 pm

As soon as I got home I was on the phone calling everyone that asked me to get in touch as soon as possible. I had NO pain...no meds and was in the shower the next morning. The surgeon told me to just let the steri strips come off in the shower but after 8 days they were still tight so I slowly started to tear them off....that was the worst part. Also I had no drains to contend with. That helped but I later got a seroma that had to be drained after 8 months..it's back tho so this time I will just leave it alone cause I know it's harmless and doesn't bother me. Hope this helps!