New member

Hey Sarah
Welcome to the
Hey Sarah
Welcome to the board. I'm sure you'll get lots of useful advice. My first surgery was a lumpectomy. The lump part went fine but my surgeon accidently cut a vein when he was doing the nodes and it left me with a huge hematoma( which is just blood collecting under the skin)
so I had drains for awhile and had to stay in the hospital until the vein healed. Usually it's the drains that we all complain about, but you will manage, I'm sure. They usually recommend a front closing sports bra for after and loose front button or zip up tops. I had to go back for a mastectomy cause the margins weren't clean enough, but my recovery from both surgeries was pretty fast. I went home the day after the mastectomy. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Dee

Been there (kind of)
Sarah,

I had a lumpectomy (without sentinal LN mapping)as an outpatient on a Friday. I was sore for a few days but back to work the following Tuesday. Just make sure to rest when you feel tired and follow the advice of your doctor as far as what to do (and not do) and how to take pain medication when needed.

I work in an office and didn't have much trouble with anything. I was very careful to not lift much or carry a pile of papers on the side that had the incision (just to make sure I didn't pull anything open).

The only thing I can really tell you is: be prepared for anything and don't worry if you aren't back on your feet the next day. Only YOU know how you'll feel and it is important to focus on taking care of yourself so you'll heal properly. Don't overdo anything. I hope this helps.

I had a lumpectomy and lymph
I had a lumpectomy and lymph node surgery on July 30th. If they do a sentinel node biopsy and removal, that is a tad painfull, but very short lived. You WILL get through it. I kept ice on my breast for awhile after the surgery during the recovery phase. I went in at 8:00am and was on my way home by 5:00pm I took some ALEVE and I was fine, took it for a few days. I had very little discomfort. The insision where they took the node was a little pinchy at times, but the Aleve helped that. I was given a script for Percoset, but the pain was never that bad. By Saturday, I was sitting on the steps of my pool. My neighbor is an RN, so she could take the outer layer of bandages off Friday afternoon 24 hours aftr the surgery. I could then take a shower. They used steri strips and disolving sutchers. I could go in my pool completely by Tuesday. I hope this helps to give you an idea.

Calleen said:

Welcome
It seems my experience has been kinda backwards.. I had my sentinal lymph node plus an extra node removed 2 weeks prior to my masectomy... I would have gone back to work the next day but had other mapping tests to do then...I was offered pain meds but didnt take any... I think I am the exception on that.. Everyones pain level is different.. I also didn't take pain meds after my double masectomy...

You will be sore!! and maybe feel some small spasms..

GET LOTS of rest and drink lots of fluids!!! and if someone wants to baby you!! LET Them!!!

HUGZ... Calleen

I also had a lumpectomy.
I also had a lumpectomy. They did a needle localization before (I was kind of scared for that, as I had a previous bad experience) but the numbing medicine took care of everything.
My pain was minimal--I only used 3 pain pills & prob. didn't need them at all. I had no drains, no special bra (even though I am a DD), and no drainage tubes. I went in at 11 a.m., had the surgery at 1 p.m. & was home by 3:30 p.m. I took it easy for a few days - did not go to the gym for exercise for a week - but really had very little pain. Probably my worst problem was going to lengthy meetings & sitting at a conference table where the edge of the table kept hitting the affected area. At my own desk, my chair is high enough that I do not touch the desk with my bust.

Good luck-let us know how everything turns out.

Tux said:

I also had a lumpectomy.
I also had a lumpectomy. They did a needle localization before (I was kind of scared for that, as I had a previous bad experience) but the numbing medicine took care of everything.
My pain was minimal--I only used 3 pain pills & prob. didn't need them at all. I had no drains, no special bra (even though I am a DD), and no drainage tubes. I went in at 11 a.m., had the surgery at 1 p.m. & was home by 3:30 p.m. I took it easy for a few days - did not go to the gym for exercise for a week - but really had very little pain. Probably my worst problem was going to lengthy meetings & sitting at a conference table where the edge of the table kept hitting the affected area. At my own desk, my chair is high enough that I do not touch the desk with my bust.

Good luck-let us know how everything turns out.

Everyone is different
Welcome, Sarah.

Amen to Pammy when she said "no surgery is 'minor.'" And don't let anyone tell you "it's JUST a lumpectomy" -- everyone's body reacts differently, and surgery is still surgery.

I had bilateral lumpectomies and sentinel node biopsies on June 11th. It being both breasts, my surgery took 3 1/2 hours, and just felt a lot more major to me -- I was exhausted for days afterwards. Thankfully, the node biopsies both came back negative, so I didn't have to deal with drains. All four of my incisions were just closed with multiple steri-strips, so I was able to shower the next day, and had no "maintenance" at all on the bandages.

If I had it to do over, the one question I would now know to ask my surgeon beforehand is: How deep are the tumors?

On my left side, I had one 2 mm tumor not too deep, and I had very little pain on that side afterwards. On my right side, however, I had three 2 mm tumors very deep in the center of my breast, behind the nipple. Whole different story between my right and left sides -- I was on Vicodin for about a week from the pain on my right side, and had trouble moving around. I was out of work for about three weeks.

You'll definitely see that most women were back to most of their normal activities within a few days. Whenever I complained about my comparatively slow recovery to my surgeon, he said that I had to take into account that my surgery was bilateral, and how deep the tumors were.

Please ask any specific questions you have -- we're all happy to share our experiences with you.

Traci

Hi Sarah and welcome. you
Hi Sarah and welcome. you have been given some great advise from the members here and I don't have much to add. I just wanted you to know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers at surgery time.

Love and gentle hugs,
Donna

New member
on 8/10 I had the size of an orange removed from my left breast. Painful, yes. I used no pain medication, with the exception of advil.

iced peas over a thin hand towel helped with my swelling and pain. I also purchased .. fruit of the loom runners bra's .. 2 sizes larger just to keep the girls in place. they are a pain to put on, however, are comfortable once in place.

I too am new to the world of breast cancer, and how found piece of mind on this site.

My prayers are with you. Read and research as much as possible.

Vicki

aurora2009 said:

Hi Sarah and Welcome

I also agree with Pammy and some of the others that say no surgury is minor. I had a lumpectomy on 7/8/09, I arrived at 3pm, and had my surgury at 5pm. The surgury lasted about 2 1/2 hours and I think was home by 10:30 (alittle groggy on that). You'll need someone to drive you there and back. Over all surgury went well. I was completely numb for the rest of the evening, but was able to eat soup and crackers when I got home. My advice is try to get an early surgury because you can't eat anything that day.

The only part to me that was bad was when I went to have the mapping done for the sentinel node removeal (they took 5 in all) because they give you a least 4 to 5 shots right in the nipple of some kind of toxic dye (they called it urainium or something crazy like that), some places numb you up for that, but mind didn't, and they hurt like hell. The pain leaves fast and you'll get through it, but I thought it was strange that they didn't numb me for that, when they even numbed my arm to put the IV in (which was great).

After surgury I did okay, both incisions (node and tumor) were only 2 to 3 inchs and they used the glue so no staples or bandages. I was kinda shocked when I pee'd blue for two days, but that was just from the dye. I only had 1 drain which was probably the worst part, I got that taken out on the 5th day and 2 days later I went back to work. I have a very labor intensive job, so I had to take it really easy, but I really only used the pain meds for a couple days and at night when I was in more pain, or had touble sleeping.

Now that being said, I also had to have a re-incission 2 weeks after my 1st surgury, when I got to the hospital I found out the it was actually a partial mastsectomy, meaning that they would be taking about a quarter of my breast. I had no drains after this surgury, but it was so much more invasive, there was so much more pain and swelling, and the incission was about 3 inches longer. I had to use the pain pills for at least a week, and am still having alot of trouble sleeping because of pain. I tryed to go back to work 10 days later and ended up feeling completely exhausted and run down, so I decided to take a 2 week leave of absence just to get back on track. I think maybe I over did it when I went back to work between surguries.

Like Pammy said everyone is diferent and I think everything depends on your surgeons abilities and how deep the tumor is and how much thay have to do, I don't have to go back to work until next Monday and could probably go back now, but I think I'm just going to treat myself to alittle more time off, plus I few a few appts this week.

Over all and bottom line you'll get through all of this phase, it's all doable!
And we'll all be here to cheer you on,

Sorry for the long post, good luck and God bless

Aurora ♥ ♥ ♥

Aurora made a good point
...actually, she made many good points :-), but specifically about numbing you for the lymphoscintigraphy (mapping your sentinal nodes before surgery). Sarah, do ask ahead of time whether or not you'll be numbed for that -- and, if they say no, DEMAND it!

I've heard several women, like Aurora, say that they were not numbed, and we're talking about 4 needle sticks right around the perimeter of your nipple(s).

When I went to the hospital at 6 am, the very first thing they did was rub numbing cream on my nipples -- I thought it was the craziest thing I'd ever heard, since the lymphoscintigraphy was HOURS later, but they said it takes time to work. And I can honestly say that I felt almost no pain for any of the 8 needle sticks (4 in each nipple) -- just a little pulling and pressure. That cream really works, so kick and scream if you have to until they give it to you!

Traci

dmc_emmy said:

Sarah-welcome
I didn't have a lumpectomy, but you've received a lot of great advice from the ladies that did...I wish you well in surgery. Welcome to the boards, here you will find many fine women (and men) who will be able to offer you a wealth of information and help you when you have questions that you may want to consider when you visit your drs. The ACS site also has several questions that may pertain to your particular situation and prove to be helpful.
dmc

lumpectomy
It's always interesting to read the posts about everyone's experience ... because while the diagnosis may be very similar ... the experiences ... and the treatment may be quite different.

I had a lumpectomy 1/21/09 as an out patient procedure. I had to go to the imaging center before the lumpectomy. I'm not sure what some of the women are talking about regarding mapping the sentinal (sp?) node. If that is when they inject the dye ... I was told at the imaging center that they could NOT numb the area until after the dye was injected. It was painful but they told me to BREATH because that helps the dye spread faster and the pain go away quicker. As soon as that was over they numbed my boob and inserted the wire for surgery ... then I was off to the hospital for the lumpectomy. I had no drains ... and just an incision where the lump was removed and an incision under my arm where several lymph nodes were removed. Just a couple of large gauze type bandages. I think it all has to do with where the lump is ... how many lymph nodes they remove ... etc. There was no need for a plastic surgeon because I wear a "slightly padded" bra so the incision "dent" is not at all noticeable.

We are all so different ... but we are all in this together. I'll be thinking of you ... and please let us know how things go.

hugs.
teena

Welcome, Sarah McD
Glad you found us, though regretful for the reason. We're all here to support and encourage each other.

My surgery was similar to yours. Please, when reading posts on this site, always remember that each patient/situation is unique. Lumpectomy surgery can differ greatly, depending on tumor size and location, etc. As others have already stated - NO surgery is minor! I spent one night in the hospital. Came home with one drain. Yes, front-closing bras (I was instructed to get a few a size or two bigger than normal) and front-closing tops will be easier to wear at first. I was not "back on my feet" the next day. Yes, was up and moving around. But, didn't leave the house for a few days.

In addition to all the good info already provided here - please, strictly follow your doctor/nurse post-surgery instructions and recommendations.

Visit us often, we'll be here for you every step of the way.

Best wishes.