Working after lumpectomy

I took no time off, rode my bike about 4 days after, like 16 miles. Sloshing water bottle in my boob from the seroma was worst side effect. The sentinel node area hurt way more than the actual lumpectomy area. Size of removed area was 8cm X 8 cm X 4 cm, so pretty large

Depends on the physical demands of your job, your endurance and how extensive your lumpectomy. My weight restriction was 10 lb., for one week. (I played it safe and didn’t lift more than a couple of pounds). I didn't drive until three full days after surgery, though I did go out to dinner the next night with my sister who’d flown in to help take care of me (which was nice but not really necessary). But I was able to order food out and dish it up within a couple hours of being discharged on the day of surgery. Cooked dinner and walked 1/2 mi. the next day. Resumed shopping (carrying bags in left hand, setting them down and using left hand to close the rear hatch door) the day after that. I'm mostly retired, but I do drive to my performances. I drove to a gig 100 miles away (and home the same night) two weeks post-op--had my son load all my instruments into the car, and my singing partner unload at the venue. I sing & play standing up, and had no problem doing so. Did have to put a mini-pillow between the shoulder belt and my breast, though.