How long is "normal" recovery time -- lumpectomy?

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faerywings
faerywings Member Posts: 173
edited March 2018 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

I am feeling like such a baby. I had a lumpectomy done last Monday. And I still feel horrible. Just exhausted. My dressing is off, and the swelling has gone down to almost nothing. The site is def. still sore, but no crazy pain or sign of infection. I can't figure out if being this tired a week out from simple surgery is normal or not. The only other surgery I ever had was my tubes tied back in 2000.

I also have Lyme disease and started IV abx right before my surgery so I know that has to be playing into how I feel. But man!!! My brain wants to do stuff and my body is to sore and tired. That makes me really angry and disappointed in myself when I can't do what I feel like I should be able to do.

I know that everyone heals differently, but from what I have read is that most people are up and about a few days after lumpectomies. I see my BS on Tuesday so I will know more then. But I hate having a pity party and I I don't know! *throws hand in the air* Maybe I just need to vent :(

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited March 2014

    Hi Faerywings, so sorry you're feeling this way, but don't give yourself  a hard time. I can't speak for the Lyme, but what you are experiencing is normal for some after an anesthetic. It can take a lot out of you. What is normal for some can be very different for others.

    I know how hard it is, to want to be back into everything and your body isn't ready, but it will happen soon enough, just give yourself time.

    I wish you all the very best, let us know how you are doing. 

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  • Albertan
    Albertan Member Posts: 38
    edited March 2014

    What with both Lyme disease and the anaesthetic, tiredness will be normal.  

    The hardest thing for me through my journey was, and still is, my desire to be OK right away.  And when you read posts from people who practically ran a marathon right after their surgery or treatments, it can make you feel like there is something wrong with you for not feeling up to doing that.  For an active person, it's hard to accept being less than we might expect of ourselves.  

    A nurse friend of mine says that we, and our medical system, underplays the effect of anaesthetic on the body.  I don't know the medical reasons, but it's really hard on us - far more than we might anticipate.  

    Talk to your surgeon and in the meantime, just rest, read, watch awful TV.  Some stuff I've read also indicates that the easier we are on ourselves, the faster we'll get better.  Now if only I could remember that too 

    Susan

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  • lauriehgldberg
    lauriehgldberg Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2014

    Hi - your body needs to heal - don't fret if you are not feeling healthy or energetic.  As the other replies noted, the response to anaesthesia is something no one really anticipates accurately.  It takes months for some of the effects to wear off and those are the subtle ones.  The obvious ones are post-op goofiness and then fatigue - every time I've had it, it's taken at least 3 weeks to feel like I had my normal energy level.  And just because you are not in a lot of pain doesn't mean your body isn't still reacting to the trauma.  I also experienced some challenges with language for a few weeks after my last surgery, was forgetting words in sentences, etc, and one day when I was feeling especially freaked out by it had an "a-ha" moment, oh, this is still the anaesthesia aftermath.

    Just give yourself some time!  You'll get better every day.

    laurie

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  • faerywings
    faerywings Member Posts: 173
    edited March 2014

    OMG-- the anesthesia bit makes *so* much sense. Like I said, I have only had one other surgery and who can remember back that far? I can't not even on a good day! LOL!! I was telling my dh about this (he also has Lyme) and he agrees as well.  Anything that can pass through the blood-brain barrier hits Lymies much harder than the avg person.The b-b barrier becomes more porous due to the infection, plus our brains become inflamed. So things like alcohol, and I would guess, anesthesia will make us loopier and for longer. Add in the fact that my liver is not "happy" from all of the meds I take for Lyme and I bet it is having a harder time de-toxing me.

    You ladies are geniuses!!!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited March 2014

    Glad you are feeling a bit better about it. If I can suggest walking and lots of water to help flush the toxins from your body through the lungs and the kidneys.

    I was told, but don't know if it is true, that it takes I month, for every hour you are under anesthetic, to be rid of the effects.

    All the best!

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  • Motherchicken
    Motherchicken Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2018

    I also feel so tired 1 week post surgery

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