I've got a doozy question

Hi Christine,

I had a BMX with SNB, I asked the surgical staff the same question and they said it was ok to shave. You may want to call your surgical team to make sure but for a lumpectomy I think it'd be ok.

Teri

Well, do you normally wax? If not, I, who have never done so, probably would not choose this occasion to delve into waxing, as I'd be concerned about whether the hair would grow back all prickly around the sentinel node incision.

I'm sure i shaved my armpits the morning of surgery, but maybe the morning or the night before would be preferable bacteria-wise?

I was instructed to shave a few days before surgery. The concern if you shave the day before surgery is that bacteria can enter micro cuts caused by the razor. If you have never waxed before don't since you don't how your skin will react.

HMMM - I never thought about it but then having done neoadjuvant A/C, there was no hair growing under arm when I went in for UMX. Actually in the 5+ yrs since the end of adjuvant Taxol, the hair under arms never grew back and leg hair also did not grow back. So there are some 'possitives' for SEs with lasting issues from chemo - I never have to shave under arms or legs any more. I preferred to use depilatory creams/products over the years with no skin issues. I know that not all can do/want to do what I have done - but just what was 'right' for me.

In my mind (for what there is of it that still 'works' ), I would never think to wax under arms (or legs for that matter). I have waxed my brows for better than 40 yrs as it was/is the easiest way, in my opinion, to keep them under control. But that is a very small area to deal with than under arms or legs. No, I do not go a salon for the procedure but actually do it myself. I am a Master Cosmetologist so I do have the knowledge/expertise to do it for myself.

I am not currently working as a Master Cosmetologist - haven't worked in the field for MANY yrs but do keep my license current and take the required continuing education to stay current as a 'just in case' I might need to use it in the future. The last time I worked full time was in 1991.

Just thought of something else I've been told is do not put deodorant on before going in for any surgery. Same goes for going in for mammo/US/MRI/etc. as 'stuff' in them can 'skew' the results.