Lumpectomy timeline to pathology questions

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breastquest
breastquest Member Posts: 52
edited February 2020 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi, not sure I'm posting in the right area... but, am scheduled for lumpectomy for small, under 2mm calcification area, DCIS, stage 0, grade 2, no nodes. I have two questions:

1. Timewise, how long is the whole process? From the minute you walk in to the minute you leave?

(I have to be there 6am, surgery is 8am and was told actual procedure takes 30 minutes. Additionally, I know they have to first place the wires, and recovery is an hour and a half). My doctor made me feel like it is most of the day, but her timeline seems to be that I'm out of there by lunchtime. Confused. Somewhat important, so I ask the right family member to wait there with me.

2. After lumpectomy, what is the follow up process?

I was told they take more tissue samples, obviously, with this lumpectomy and that goes to pathology. I was also told it takes 7 days for report. Do you go back to have sutures (?) removed in a week? Is that the time the doctor goes over pathology with you, or do they call you via phone to go over pathology? Do they wait to set up radiation in that follow up appointment?

Thx.

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  • MissouriCatLady
    MissouriCatLady Member Posts: 977
    edited February 2020

    My lumpectomy took all day. They get you all settled in a room, then take you for the various processes, I had a couple of things done before the wire placement, a CT to see the markers, and something else, dye injection, I cannot remember the name of the procedure exactly, and then had the wires placed, it all takes a little time. And then I had to wait for someone to come and get me and take me back to my room, and that person took their time, I got back down after my surgery time.

    I had cancer detected in my lymph node at diagnosis, and it was gone at the time of surgery, but because of this, I had to do radiation. I had my results back within a week. My doctor had me wait 4 weeks before starting radiation, to heal up from the surgery. I used Calendula cream to help with radiation. Hugs to you, breastquest. Lisa

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2020

    I'd plan for most of the day. If anything goes wrong with anyone else, the entire schedule backs up.

    All docs are different. Be sure to ask yours when she will call you with the result or should you schedule a follow-up appointment now.

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