Discomfort after a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy

Hi, 

I am a breast cancer suvivor 6+ years.

i also have problems with sensivity to clothes rubbing on my scar.

I wear sports bras. And soft mascotomy bras. These seem to bother me less. I occasionally have some discomfort but, that see usually scaring. 

As, far as clothes go, I find if I wear a bit more loose fitting tops it helps. i got less sensivity as time went on.

i hope this helps. 

Missy, welcome and I am so sorry that you found us because of this blasted disease.  I hate cancer!!!

My older sister just had a preventive bilateral mastectomies.  She was the only sister of the 4 of us not to yet have breast cancer.  Anyway, she had a lot of pain with expanders.  Her surgeon recommended some bras that she felt helped, because she works in an office too and her surgeon wanted her to wear a bra.

I think the right bra may be what you need, but only you can say what that is.  I have bone mets in my ribs and am always looking for supportive bras with no underwires.  Recently I found a Warner's Back to Smooth wirefree lift bra at Marshall's that I really like.  The straps are thick elastic and my only criticism is that they don't adjust and I a afraid that they may stretch too much one day.  But, for right now, the bra is working for me.

It is a real pain-in-the-rear looking for bras, but I think you might feel better with one that is stretchier where you need it.

PS I can't wear sports bras either.  They are too compressing for me (is that a word?). 

WildernessGirl said:

Discomfort

After my lumpectomy and node biopsy I wore soft front closure bras that I got at the wig and bra boutique at the hospital where I had my surgery.  The ladies were very helpful and fitted me for the after surgery special lumpectomy bras.  I loved them and ordered 3. 

I had my surgery last July and am just now able to wear "normal" bras and can still only wear them for a limited time.  At first (for several months) I bought Fruit of the Loom stretchy bras with wide straps and multiple hooks up the front.  I bought a much larger size than usual but because they are soft and there were no hard seams, they didn't irritate my skin.  I found them at Walmart based on someone else's recommendation.  Since then I found bras at Kohl's that have no underwires and are more shapely.  I have always loved my Wacoal underwires and just now I'm able to wear them without irritation for a limited period of time.  

I had similar surgery and radiation.  I used lots of creams during radiation and that helped for sure.  Good luck!  It does get better.

I am now 2 weeks and 4 days post op and I know exactly how you feel.  I had 6 lymph nodes removed and luckily they were all negative but the discomfort is ridiculous.  The scars are painful and hard and I feel like I have lumps under my arm.  It is getting better a little bit each day but everybody keeps telling me they know people who had this and were only out of work 3 days.  The doctor told me a month.  Hope we all feel better soon.