Need some advice & tips for surgery

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TP123
TP123 Member Posts: 53
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy on Wed. Dec. 15. What do you recommend to wear and take with me? I'd like to go prepared and leave semi comfortable. Do I need a special bra? No bra? Any other tips to make the brief stay better. BTW, it is outpatient surgery, so no overnight stay. Thanks ahead of time for the heads up. :)
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  • joannstar
    joannstar Member Posts: 403 Member
    #2
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    I was told
    to that I would need to wear a bra non-stop for 7 days at least. This helps hold the small icepack in place and it actually feels better to wear it. So I went and bought some comfortable sports-type bras. I wore a button down shirt so that I wouldn't have to raise my arms.
    I would recommend getting a bag or two of frozen peas which can mold to your breast.
    I had a general for the surgery so I don't remember any of it. I didn't feel sick (although I was loopy) and went out for lunch afterwards because I wasn't allowed to eat after midnight the night before.
    I had 4 lymph nodes taken out so that I had a drain put in. That was the most bother. I had to have a nurse come and teach me how to deal with it, and I didn't like it "hanging" off of me, but it was manageable.
    My husband took me and I didn't not bring a purse or anything of value other than the 1 credit card to pay the bill.
    All in all it wasn't too bad, although I had to have a second surgery to get clean margins through the same incision 2 weeks later, but even that wasn't bad.
    Good luck--I'm sure you'll do fine.
    Hugs,
    JoAnn
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #3
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    TP, I was told basically the
    TP, I was told basically the same thing. My surgeon insisted that I bring a front-closing sports bra that I put on before I ever left the hospital. All in all the lumpectomy was an easy recovery. I have since also had a bilateral mastectomy and that was more involved, as you can imagine. I was told to not wear any jewelry or bring anything personal. If you wear contact lenses, they need to be taken out before surgery. So, I arrived in my glasses and gave them to my husband as I was being wheeled into surgery. You will be given a prescription either before or at the time of release of pain pills. I didn't have much pain to speak of and therefore took only 1 pill. You will do fine and will be eradicating the beast from your body. Good luck and let us know how you are doing, when you can. Also, just for a litrle more comfort, know that we will all be with you in spirit. (((Hugs)))
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
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    if i remember (ONLY 3 yrs)
    BUt I think sports bra (I dont' have much of chest) and button up shirts...I was pleasantly surprised..I thought it would be much worse (pain) etc..then it was...I was in by 6 am and out by i would say...2-3...make sure leave jewelry home...

    i'll be thinking of you...
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #5
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    MyTurnNow said:

    TP, I was told basically the
    TP, I was told basically the same thing. My surgeon insisted that I bring a front-closing sports bra that I put on before I ever left the hospital. All in all the lumpectomy was an easy recovery. I have since also had a bilateral mastectomy and that was more involved, as you can imagine. I was told to not wear any jewelry or bring anything personal. If you wear contact lenses, they need to be taken out before surgery. So, I arrived in my glasses and gave them to my husband as I was being wheeled into surgery. You will be given a prescription either before or at the time of release of pain pills. I didn't have much pain to speak of and therefore took only 1 pill. You will do fine and will be eradicating the beast from your body. Good luck and let us know how you are doing, when you can. Also, just for a litrle more comfort, know that we will all be with you in spirit. (((Hugs)))

    TP,
    I had bilateral lumpectomies and sentinel node biopsies in one surgery in June of last year. I was also told to bring a soft but supportive bra, like a sports bra, with me to the hospital -- they took it from me when I arrived, and I woke up from the surgery with it on me. I was allowed to take it off to shower beginning the next morning, but otherwise had to wear it night and day for a few days, I think.

    Mine was also outpatient -- I had to be at the hospital at 6 in the morning, and didn't leave until 7:30 that night, so it was the LONGest day of my life, but I was grateful to sleep in my own bed.

    While everyone is different, I was pleasantly surprised by how few mobility problems I had. I washed my own hair in the shower the next morning (granted, my hair was and is very short), and needed a little help getting t-shirts on and off for only a few days.

    My general practitioner warned me before the surgery that the pain medications can cause really bad constipation, and I should have something on hand for that. I didn't listen to him. I really should have listened to him. 'Nuf said.

    :-) Traci
  • chriskaput
    chriskaput Member Posts: 109
    #6
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    if i remember (ONLY 3 yrs)
    BUt I think sports bra (I dont' have much of chest) and button up shirts...I was pleasantly surprised..I thought it would be much worse (pain) etc..then it was...I was in by 6 am and out by i would say...2-3...make sure leave jewelry home...

    i'll be thinking of you...

    lumpectomy
    I just had my second lumpectomy for clean margins 2 weeks ago. The surgery is not so bad. I think the not being able to eat part is worse! haha
    Bring a comfortable/loose button down shirt. I wore my bra to the hospital but I didnt wear it going home because I had 3 lymph nodes removed on the first surgery and the cut is along the bra line, under the armpit.

    You will need a sports bra to wear 24 hrs a day for a few days afterward for support though. I found it uncomfortable to go without one on.

    Good luck on Wed.! Are you having sentinel node biopsy done too?
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    #7
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    chriskaput said:

    lumpectomy
    I just had my second lumpectomy for clean margins 2 weeks ago. The surgery is not so bad. I think the not being able to eat part is worse! haha
    Bring a comfortable/loose button down shirt. I wore my bra to the hospital but I didnt wear it going home because I had 3 lymph nodes removed on the first surgery and the cut is along the bra line, under the armpit.

    You will need a sports bra to wear 24 hrs a day for a few days afterward for support though. I found it uncomfortable to go without one on.

    Good luck on Wed.! Are you having sentinel node biopsy done too?

    I can only agree with what
    I can only agree with what everyone else here has related to you. I also used a sports bra ( still do as I am small breasted ). I wish you all the best. Everything should go smoothly. I also had pain pills but only took 1.
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #8
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    I also had a lumpectomy. I
    I also had a lumpectomy. I had general anesthesia and an overnight stay. You will want a nice comfortable soft bra. You will need to wear it all the time for a week. This will support the breast so that the incision is not stretched while it is healing. I was a bit sore for a few days and slept on my back at night. That really helped.

    You will be fine. Prayers that everything works out smoothly.
  • shelbyhome
    shelbyhome Member Posts: 145
    #9
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    When I had my last
    When I had my last lumpectomy the hospital gave me a stretchy thing to wear around me and I just wore button down shirts. I didn't have alot of pain like I did with my mastecomys.
    Good luck :) Robbin
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #10
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    I had a lumpectomy
    with 7 nodes removed. I did not wear a bra when I left the surgery center as I was completely wrapped and also had a drain. I just took along my pj top as it was a button up and very soft and comfy. I was in at 7 to have a wire guide put in and some other pre op stuff. My surgery was at 10 and I was released at 1:30. I did have pain meds of which I took 3. They also do not want you to wear dentures during the surgery. Try not to worry, you will be fine.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • TP123
    TP123 Member Posts: 53
    #11
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    ladyg said:

    I had a lumpectomy
    with 7 nodes removed. I did not wear a bra when I left the surgery center as I was completely wrapped and also had a drain. I just took along my pj top as it was a button up and very soft and comfy. I was in at 7 to have a wire guide put in and some other pre op stuff. My surgery was at 10 and I was released at 1:30. I did have pain meds of which I took 3. They also do not want you to wear dentures during the surgery. Try not to worry, you will be fine.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    Thanks!
    You all have given me great tips and I just went out to buy a sports bra for the occasion. I appreciate all the kind thoughts and support too. I am not terrified of the surgery but I had a very bad experience with the port being put in under general anesthesia, so after switching surgeons, anesthesiologists, and hospitals, I feel a little better about it. Also, I live in the midwest where the snow is blasting us, so please pray that I will have a decent day to travel there and back (it takes and hour and 15 min.). Thank you again sisters and may God send you all a special blessing today.
    Teresa
  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #12
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    TP123 said:

    Thanks!
    You all have given me great tips and I just went out to buy a sports bra for the occasion. I appreciate all the kind thoughts and support too. I am not terrified of the surgery but I had a very bad experience with the port being put in under general anesthesia, so after switching surgeons, anesthesiologists, and hospitals, I feel a little better about it. Also, I live in the midwest where the snow is blasting us, so please pray that I will have a decent day to travel there and back (it takes and hour and 15 min.). Thank you again sisters and may God send you all a special blessing today.
    Teresa

    lumpectomy
    sleeping will be difficult. i had to lay on the good side, put a regular pillow to help support the bad breast. then i put a little decorative pillow under that. my arm laying on my side hurt my boob, too, so i put a hunting pillow under that so it wouldnt put pressure on my boob.
    bathing is hard at first too. any gravity pulling on the breast without the bra (even with it) was awful. i cried. the water hitting it hurt fro the shower. my boyfriend and i worked a way to bathe with it less painful.
    i held my breast up so it wouldnt dangle and sat in the bath water. he washed me. as i got better, he did less and less. today was the first day i didnt need his help!
    ice, ice, ice...that makes it feel better.
    my surgeon put a HUGE nice bandage over my breast. bad thing...lots of glue... get baby oil to wash it off when you can.
    after a week, my surgeon reccomennded getting vitamin e creme to rub around the breast, too.
    seems like i took longer to recover than what the surgeon said and i learned, ITS OK. every one is different.
    good luck to you.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #13
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    chriskaput said:

    lumpectomy
    I just had my second lumpectomy for clean margins 2 weeks ago. The surgery is not so bad. I think the not being able to eat part is worse! haha
    Bring a comfortable/loose button down shirt. I wore my bra to the hospital but I didnt wear it going home because I had 3 lymph nodes removed on the first surgery and the cut is along the bra line, under the armpit.

    You will need a sports bra to wear 24 hrs a day for a few days afterward for support though. I found it uncomfortable to go without one on.

    Good luck on Wed.! Are you having sentinel node biopsy done too?

    Everyone has written what I
    Everyone has written what I would say, so, just want to wish you good luck with your surgery.


    Hugs, Debby
  • TP123
    TP123 Member Posts: 53
    #14
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    cinnamonsmile said:

    lumpectomy
    sleeping will be difficult. i had to lay on the good side, put a regular pillow to help support the bad breast. then i put a little decorative pillow under that. my arm laying on my side hurt my boob, too, so i put a hunting pillow under that so it wouldnt put pressure on my boob.
    bathing is hard at first too. any gravity pulling on the breast without the bra (even with it) was awful. i cried. the water hitting it hurt fro the shower. my boyfriend and i worked a way to bathe with it less painful.
    i held my breast up so it wouldnt dangle and sat in the bath water. he washed me. as i got better, he did less and less. today was the first day i didnt need his help!
    ice, ice, ice...that makes it feel better.
    my surgeon put a HUGE nice bandage over my breast. bad thing...lots of glue... get baby oil to wash it off when you can.
    after a week, my surgeon reccomennded getting vitamin e creme to rub around the breast, too.
    seems like i took longer to recover than what the surgeon said and i learned, ITS OK. every one is different.
    good luck to you.

    Your comments are so helpful
    Your comments are so helpful...I was wondering about sleeping. I love to sleep on my left side but it is the left breast that will be operated on. Great ideas. I'll be nervous tomorrow but even more on Wed. when i go for the surgery. Did you find you couldn't or won't supposed to use your arm?
  • mrs gadget
    mrs gadget Member Posts: 118
    #15
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    My thoughts will be with you...
    I will definately be thinking of you as you experience this!! My lumpectomy is almost the same as yours and I will be doing it on 01/06. If you are up to it, I would love to hear about how it went for you ...

    Good luck
  • pbrndm5
    pbrndm5 Member Posts: 83
    #16
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    TP123 said:

    Your comments are so helpful
    Your comments are so helpful...I was wondering about sleeping. I love to sleep on my left side but it is the left breast that will be operated on. Great ideas. I'll be nervous tomorrow but even more on Wed. when i go for the surgery. Did you find you couldn't or won't supposed to use your arm?

    TP123
    My lumpectomy is on 1/11. All the comments were very helpful. Hopefully we can keep in touch. Good luck and I know you will do fine.
  • pbrndm5
    pbrndm5 Member Posts: 83
    #17
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    mrs gadget said:

    My thoughts will be with you...
    I will definately be thinking of you as you experience this!! My lumpectomy is almost the same as yours and I will be doing it on 01/06. If you are up to it, I would love to hear about how it went for you ...

    Good luck

    Mrs. Gadget
    Maybe we could keep in touch. My lumpectomy is on 1/11. Hopefully we will be able to share our successs stories. I'll be thinking of all of you as we fight against this ugly thing called cancer together. We WILL ALL win!!
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #18
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    pbrndm5 said:

    Mrs. Gadget
    Maybe we could keep in touch. My lumpectomy is on 1/11. Hopefully we will be able to share our successs stories. I'll be thinking of all of you as we fight against this ugly thing called cancer together. We WILL ALL win!!

    I would call the hospital
    I would call the hospital about the bra, because they had me in a compression bra when I woke up.They gave me this bra and I had to wear it for a few weeks at all times. I also wore a large button down shirt. I had a drain in to. I did not have a lot of pain from this surgery. I had 22 nodes removed and thats were most of my pain came from. The lumpectomy did not bother me that much. I think it may just depend on a lot of different things. You will need pillows, lots of pillows under your arms. If you should have a drain, they will show you how to take care of that. I was tolds I could not take a shower until the drain came out. They was just not going to work for me so I took a lawn and leaf bag and cut a hole for my head and cut one arm out for my good arm, then used a clothes pin to close the neck tighter and I got in the shower. Work great. Husband did need to help a bit. Good luck to you, wishing you the best,
    Kathy~
  • mrs gadget
    mrs gadget Member Posts: 118
    #19
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    pbrndm5 said:

    Mrs. Gadget
    Maybe we could keep in touch. My lumpectomy is on 1/11. Hopefully we will be able to share our successs stories. I'll be thinking of all of you as we fight against this ugly thing called cancer together. We WILL ALL win!!

    I woud love to keep in touch
    Feel free to email any time...it's important that we share our experiences because they are the same yet different!!
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #20
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    Eil4186 said:

    I also had a lumpectomy. I
    I also had a lumpectomy. I had general anesthesia and an overnight stay. You will want a nice comfortable soft bra. You will need to wear it all the time for a week. This will support the breast so that the incision is not stretched while it is healing. I was a bit sore for a few days and slept on my back at night. That really helped.

    You will be fine. Prayers that everything works out smoothly.

    I wore a soft bra for awhile
    I wore a soft bra for awhile and it felt great. I got it at a store that specializes in bras for cancer survivors. I also got a firmer bra, incase I needed it. I also had to sleep on my back for awhile.

    Also, my insurance paid for my bras. You just need a letter from your oncologist, surgeon or rads oncologist.

    Hugs, Megan
  • Findingout
    Findingout Member Posts: 132
    #21
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    tips
    I had two lumpectomies and also wore a sports bra afterwards to hold the ice pack. It was cotton, a soft and comfy sports bra, not synthetic, and I was also more comfortable than without a bra. I wore a sweatshirt and soft sweat-type pants, for the "warm fuzzy" feeling on my way home. The sweatshirt was thick, soft cotton, and I wore a white cotton t-shirt under that. All I took was my Kaiser card, since I'm a member and it is a Kaiser hospital, so I can't give you any tips in that area. Overall it was not a bad experience at all.

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