Lumpectomy Recovery

Emholland
Emholland Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1
I am new to this and am hoping to get some input. I had a lumpectomy performed on my left breast 5 days ago. I can't tell you the size of the tumor but it wasn't very big at all. I have very small breasts to begin with, my size is "Almost A". To keep from making it too noticeable my surgeon made the incision around my areola on the inside of my nipple. The actual tumor was maybe 2 to 3 inches above that. I bruise fairly easy so right now it is discolored and looks much worse than it feels. However, the area from which the tumor was removed is pretty hard almost like a knot and even with a sports bra is uncomfortable when I lay down. Because I have such small breasts, when I look in the mirror you, can see the "knot" that is there now. My follow up appointment is in another week. I guess I was just wondering if this was common and if it will go away or if someone has had something similar that stayed that way. My left side already sticks out some in the front due to my scoliosis and that just makes it stick out more. Don't get me wrong I would rather have my breast stay this way and know that it had been removed but my breasts have always been my greatest insecurity. Please let me know if anyone can relate.

Comments

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #2
    I recently had a lumpectomy as well
    and had incredible bruising. If you can get some arnica cream or gel and rub in in (not over your incision) it will bring down the bruising.

    It is 7 weeks later, and I still have some of that rock hard area, but my surgeon removed 2 masses (both benign)in 2 areas of the same breast. I also ended up with lots of complications from surgery, so I don't know what the norm is. I also have rather large breasts, so they filled with lots of fluid. However, it will take some time for the internal bruising to resorb. Arnica helped my large eggplant of a breast resume its normal color within a couple of days, even if it didn't help the "induration" - hard areas.

    You'll feel better soon. Keep up on pain meds if you need them post-op. We're pulling for you.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #3
    I had lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs
    I had lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs ago...also very small breasted...I did not noticed how lop sided I was for some time. ( THINK due to swelling)

    I just had partial mastecomty (same thing to me) last week on the same breast. I feel LIKE i should be black and blue but NO bruising at all. First time I had "C" shape incsision-this time breast surgeon (last time general). I got back today for first post surgery checkup.

    I do not know how I am not bruised since with in past 2 wks i had OVER (stopped counting at 10 both times) 25-30 mammos on the one side..ahhhhh

    all and all it was ONLY SCAR tissue...happy to say..

    I wish you the best...take care...

    Denise
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #4
    I had lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs
    I had lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs ago...also very small breasted...I did not noticed how lop sided I was for some time. ( THINK due to swelling)

    I just had partial mastecomty (same thing to me) last week on the same breast. I feel LIKE i should be black and blue but NO bruising at all. First time I had "C" shape incsision-this time breast surgeon (last time general). I got back today for first post surgery checkup.

    I do not know how I am not bruised since with in past 2 wks i had OVER (stopped counting at 10 both times) 25-30 mammos on the one side..ahhhhh

    all and all it was ONLY SCAR tissue...happy to say..

    I wish you the best...take care...

    Denise
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #5
    disneyfan2008 said:

    I had lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs
    I had lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs ago...also very small breasted...I did not noticed how lop sided I was for some time. ( THINK due to swelling)

    I just had partial mastecomty (same thing to me) last week on the same breast. I feel LIKE i should be black and blue but NO bruising at all. First time I had "C" shape incsision-this time breast surgeon (last time general). I got back today for first post surgery checkup.

    I do not know how I am not bruised since with in past 2 wks i had OVER (stopped counting at 10 both times) 25-30 mammos on the one side..ahhhhh

    all and all it was ONLY SCAR tissue...happy to say..

    I wish you the best...take care...

    Denise

    Bruising, and swelling is part of the gig -- however,
    just to be on the safe side, please call your Doctor's office to see what they
    recommend.

    In my case, after a few weeks of healing -- I was instructed to massage the area
    in small circular motions several times a day.

    Good luck, and speedy healing I wish for you.

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #6
    VickiSam said:

    Bruising, and swelling is part of the gig -- however,
    just to be on the safe side, please call your Doctor's office to see what they
    recommend.

    In my case, after a few weeks of healing -- I was instructed to massage the area
    in small circular motions several times a day.

    Good luck, and speedy healing I wish for you.

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam

    It could just be some scar
    It could just be some scar tissue. Did you have your appointment yet? Be sure and let us know what you find out.

    Hugs, Angie
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #7
    VickiSam said:

    Bruising, and swelling is part of the gig -- however,
    just to be on the safe side, please call your Doctor's office to see what they
    recommend.

    In my case, after a few weeks of healing -- I was instructed to massage the area
    in small circular motions several times a day.

    Good luck, and speedy healing I wish for you.

    Strength, Courage and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam

    It could just be some scar
    It could just be some scar tissue. Did you have your appointment yet? Be sure and let us know what you find out.

    Hugs, Angie
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #8
    disneyfan2008 said:

    I had lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs
    I had lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs ago...also very small breasted...I did not noticed how lop sided I was for some time. ( THINK due to swelling)

    I just had partial mastecomty (same thing to me) last week on the same breast. I feel LIKE i should be black and blue but NO bruising at all. First time I had "C" shape incsision-this time breast surgeon (last time general). I got back today for first post surgery checkup.

    I do not know how I am not bruised since with in past 2 wks i had OVER (stopped counting at 10 both times) 25-30 mammos on the one side..ahhhhh

    all and all it was ONLY SCAR tissue...happy to say..

    I wish you the best...take care...

    Denise

    I didn't have bruising, but,
    I didn't have bruising, but, I was somewhat swollen with my lumpectomy, but, it went away very quickly. Like others said, it could just be scar tissue.


    Update us after your appointment please.


    Hugs, Diane
  • Carolw
    Carolw Member Posts: 6
    #9
    I also had a lumpectomy. I
    I also had a lumpectomy. I was told that the ridge that you described is part of the healing process. I had my lumpectomy a year ago and the ridge has gone down. It is like a hard knot like you say, The doctor said that it would be a couple of more years for the breast not to be so tender. It still hurts when I am examined. Otherwise, no pain and no noticeable ridge.
  • lady-bug
    lady-bug Member Posts: 1
    #10
    Post lumpectomy hematoma

    Hi all,

    5 days ago I had a breast tumor excision, still waiting for the results from pathology.

    What worries me the most at this moment is the large hematoma I have. The tumor was located at 5 o'clock, and around 5-6cm down from the areolla, but the surgeon decided to make the cut around the areolla and to dig in for the tumor excision. It was marked with wire pre-op. 

    Now the hematoma is quite large, and purple, it takes place down the areolla to the bottom of my breast and goiing through my underarm. It wasn't so big the first 2-3 days. It got worsen at the end of the 3rd day, the whole breast is very swallen. I put acidi borici in order to reduce the swelling and drink acetaminophenraid for pain releif. I'm also taking vitamin C, E and zinc.

    Is this kind of hematoma normal? Anyone with similar experience? How long before the hematoma and swelling reduce?

    I'm afraid that the surgeon will need to make another incision to take all the blood out.

     

  • kmenurse
    kmenurse Member Posts: 217
    #11
    lady-bug said:

    Post lumpectomy hematoma

    Hi all,

    5 days ago I had a breast tumor excision, still waiting for the results from pathology.

    What worries me the most at this moment is the large hematoma I have. The tumor was located at 5 o'clock, and around 5-6cm down from the areolla, but the surgeon decided to make the cut around the areolla and to dig in for the tumor excision. It was marked with wire pre-op. 

    Now the hematoma is quite large, and purple, it takes place down the areolla to the bottom of my breast and goiing through my underarm. It wasn't so big the first 2-3 days. It got worsen at the end of the 3rd day, the whole breast is very swallen. I put acidi borici in order to reduce the swelling and drink acetaminophenraid for pain releif. I'm also taking vitamin C, E and zinc.

    Is this kind of hematoma normal? Anyone with similar experience? How long before the hematoma and swelling reduce?

    I'm afraid that the surgeon will need to make another incision to take all the blood out.

     

    Hello lady-bug,  I also had a

    Hello lady-bug,  I also had a large hematoma after my biopsy... They usually don't do anything but allow your body to absorb it... 

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