Nervous about surgery tomorrow
Anyone that had an excisional biopsy or lumpectomy please share your experience. I have had two shoulder surgeries and two c sections can anyone compare the pain or recovery time. With my 30th birthday on sunday and the holidays just around the corner I just want to know what to expect and just how much pain I will be in. Thanks in advance and well wises to all who are going through this! All of you sound so strong care to share your secret?
Comments
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I had a lumpectomy one month prior to finding out I needed a BMX. The lumpectomy was very easy and honestly, painless. I don't think I even took a Tylenol. I was restricted from lifting anything more than a couple of pounds for maybe a week. It may vary depending on the size of the tissue, etc, but hang in there. I think it will be fine. Let us know how it goes.
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Mine was pretty much a nonevent. I was a little sore for a few days, but really not much. You’ll probably have lifting restriction until your follow-up. I think I took one pain pill, then switched to Aleve. Lots of bruising. I was told I’d probably be fine just taking one day off after. The gel cold packs are your friend. They work better than pain meds. Get a couple extra at the drug store so you can have one in the freezer always ready to go
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The first lumpectomy I took all the recommended pain pills. Had it on Wednesday, back to work on Tuesday. The re-excision three weeks later I took two Tylenol and was went back to work Monday. Keep it iced and take it easy. Honestly, it was the easiest part of the whole cancer business.
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No big issue for me either. No pain killers whatsoever except for the prescribed anti-inflammatory ones for couple of days. Good luck and benign wishes

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Like they said above, ice packs! Expect A LOT of bruising and swelling. But it wasn't painful, really. Had mine a month ago. You got this! Good luck.
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I had both and honestly, the recovery was VERY easy. I was prescribed pain pills but didn't even take one. I didn't need anything stronger than Ibuprofen. When I had my C-Section, I needed my pain pills and even got a refill on them!
They wrap you up pretty tightly after the lumpectomy, which helps quite a bit. You will do great, I promise! The recovery is pretty quick and for many women I know, almost painless. Just mostly mild discomfort. Very doable.
As for the secret to staying strong? There is no secret. You know that saying, "You don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."? Well, it's true. We didn't ask for any of this, but we have to deal with it nonetheless. You just put one foot in front of the other and move forward. Cry when you need to. Yell when you need to. Find support, (these message boards are wonderful!), and take good care of yourself. This mess can be scary, overwhelming, all consuming, and never ending. It DOES get better. It WILL pass. There IS light at the end of the tunnel. -
This is helpful for me too, since I will have the same surgery in January.
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Thank you to eceryone who responded. I read all the comments but was everything was so hectic I couldn't respond until now. My surgery went well. Not too much pain took the tylenol 3s for a day but switched to regular tylenol since yesterday. The bruising isn't too bad. I had a bit of bleeding that I can only asume camefrom my nipple as the steri strips didnt have new bool on them but havent seen any more since. I aso noticed last night I have a bit of blood pooling under my breast not big about an inch or two. The incision was on the side of my nipple. I shouldn't worry about it or should I call my doctor. Thank you in advance!
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Look in all the paperwork they gave you before and after the surgery. In there should be a list of do's and dont's for physical activity, plus all the things you should expect and a list of things that require you calling their office.
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