Question about Lumpectomy

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Sharon199009
Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
edited September 2019 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

My question is, how painful is the recovery from a lumpectomy? My Surgeon is cutting around my Areola (I think just half way and not completely around it) and removing a high risk Papilloma that is directly under my nipple almost feels like it’s in my nipple. And of course excising a duct (I’m not sure if it’s just 1 or several ducts) with possible oncoplastic closure (which I thought she wouldn’t have to do, bc what she is removing is small)

My surgery is Tuesday morning and the closer it gets, the more nervous I get.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited August 2019

    Ow~! That does sound painful. They usually put in a long-acting local anesthesia prior to cutting, so as to calm those nerves before surgery. They may be able to give you a prescription for something stronger than Tylenol, but don't hold your breath. Heroin and other opiod addicts have pretty well ruined pain relief for the rest of us, so now doctors are hesitant to order narcotics for pain. Rest, ice and Tylenol will be your friend (and hopefully, a little Lortab!) Good luck!

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  • Northerngirl485
    Northerngirl485 Member Posts: 12
    edited August 2019

    I had a similar lumpectomy and the pain was very tolerable. I took extra strength acetaminophen and ibuprofen routinely after and it covered my pain. Yes I was sore but nothing compared to other medical procedures I have had in the past.

    I was super nervous about it so I can relate but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, good luck..

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited August 2019

    Well—I didn’t actually know where the incision for my 2018 lumpectomy was until my first follow-up appt with my BS. When he took the dressing off, I saw it was right around the upper part of my nipple. It wasn’t any more painful than my 2016 lumpectomy, which was off to the side. My guess is they are careful to avoid the nipple but go right next to it.

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited August 2019

    Thank you Ladies. My discharge instructions say I can not drive while taking my pain medicine so im assuming it might be something strong (of course I won’t be driving at all) I was prescribed Vicodin after my gall bladder removal, and that was just a laparoscopic surgery in 2017. So we will see. I just don’t want to be in too much pain bc nothing over the counter works for me. And I’m big BIG breasted, so the weight on them alone might cause discomf

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  • Mymomsgirl
    Mymomsgirl Member Posts: 174
    edited August 2019

    Sharon you will do fine. A couple of suggestions...have a good supportive bra, maybe a front closure sports bra (the less they move the better) and pull out a couple of front close tops (just easier to get in and out of).

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited August 2019

    okay I will thank you so much

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited August 2019

    Sharon I always treat myself to a couple of days of prescription pain meds after surgery just kind of because I have them. Puts you in a better mood, helps you sleep, . . . . I bought a couple of front-close bras for one of my surgeries but found them harder to deal with than a soft over-the-head sports bra, particularly an older one that's kind of stretched out. I think I was supposed to wear one 24/7 until my follow-up appt, like a week and a half later, but it would start to bug me around day 6-7 so I stopped it then.

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  • edj3
    edj3 Member Posts: 2,076
    edited August 2019

    My incision was on the outside of my nipple, exactly as you've described. I didn't know that's where it would be so I was surprised. Keeping my breast immobile was the key to reducing discomfort.


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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited August 2019

    thank you ladies so much.

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited August 2019

    Having had both a laparascopic gallbladder removal and lumpectomy I have to say the lumpectomy was a cake-walk by comparison. You'll be fine, I think.

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited August 2019

    Thank you. I haven’t been able to take any of my pain medicine today, because I have to pick my son up from school. So I have to wait until I get home tonight. I’m feeling sharp stabbing pains coming and going. Getting a little more frequent, I’ll see how it really feels tonight when I take the gauze and bra off to take a shower. Almost passed out at the store today, because I got too hot (which never usually happens when I get too hot) so I hope I’m not over doing it. But so far, keeping a smile on my face and pushing through. Thank you all for your answers and sup

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited August 2019

    If you almost passed out in the store today, you ARE overdoing it. You're only 2 days post-op. You probably still have some anesthesia on board, which will make you feel weak and woozy. You need to go sit still in a cool place, with your feet elevated, with an ice pack on your incision. Arthritic strength Tylenol, if you can't take your pain med. Ibuprofen or Aleve, only if okayed by your surgeon (can cause bleeding.)

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited August 2019

    I stayed in bed for most of the morning today. I was just sitting up in bed (leaning back against the head board) crocheting and still felt nauseous and I had not taken any medicine at all. Doctor told me to drink more water and eat more protein and see if that helps. So we will see if it helps.

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  • alto
    alto Member Posts: 233
    edited August 2019

    Yeah, after my lumpectomy-sized surgeries, it took me 7-10 days to get back to my normal energy level, and I didn't have any issues anesthesia (other than fatigue and feeling bummed). I was surprised to hear you went back to your normal activities so soon. I'd recommend taking it really easy the first 3-4 days. Ginger ale and crackers might help settle your stomach. Gently cool ice packs applied a few times a day made the first 2-3 days so much better. Wishing you better days ahead soon!

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited August 2019

    Thank you. I had no choice, I had to pick my son up from school. Which driving really isn't that bad, except for all the bumps. I'm going to speak to my surgeon at my appointment next week about the middle of my chest right between my breast (on the chest bone itself) because it's been hurting as well. But idk if that's bc I am so big breasted and having to wear a bra 24/7 except for a shower.

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited September 2019

    Is it normal for after breast surgery for the skin around the incision area, to turn like a yellow and orange color and the skin get all weird feeling and peeling And itch?

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited September 2019

    Hi Sharon199009, How are you feeling? Itching is a sign that your wound is healing as well as the yellow/greenish? color. The orange/brownish might be from the betadine. It is an antiseptic used for skin disinfection prior to surgery. Some people are very sensitive to this iodine. I'm sure you are due soon for your follow up visit with your surgeon. My surgery was last Nov. and my breast still feels different. I had a lot of nerve pain and the gabapentin with ibuprofen were the only meds that helped. My surgeon said comfort was a priority. It took me about 6 months before I could wear my underwire supportive bra. Don't rush it. Wishing you well as you start this journey.

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited September 2019

    Thank You.

    Called my surgeon to see if the results where in yet. She isn't in the office today, because she has a surgery. My follow up surgery appointment is tomorrow at 11am. But her nurse told me that my surgeon said she will talk to me about my results tomorrow, but that everything is fine. If everything is fine, why would she need to talk to me about it tomorrow at my follow up appointment?

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2019

    Answered in your other posting, although in reading your opening post here, it does appear that you were having an excisional biopsy.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/62/topics/873217

    How have you found the recovery? I had a similar excisional biopsy surgery twice, both times to remove very large fibroadenomas, first time when I was 16 and the second time when I was 24. Incision around the nipple both times. AsI recall, I had both surgeries on Friday and was back to school/work on the Monday and had little serious pain, just moderate discomfort.

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited September 2019

    my recovery has been up and down. Had good days and then not so good days. Especially when I’m feeling good, and then I end up over doing it during the day and starting hurting in the evening. But as of yesterday and today, I’ve been feeling great. It just itches like crazy Lo

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2019

    Glad you are feeling great! Yeah, the post-surgical itching can be awful. It's totally normal though.

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited September 2019

    all results came back good.

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited September 2019

    Sharon199009, Great news!!!!

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited September 2019

    That's great! Thank you for letting us know. Good news is always welcome!

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  • Sharon199009
    Sharon199009 Member Posts: 34
    edited September 2019

    I am so happy. Now that I have insurance, I can keep up with my check ups and everything.

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