Lumpectomy recovery

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twnkltoz
twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member

I've been doing well recovering from chemo, UM, and radiation, losing weight and slooooowly gaining fitness back. However, now I need a lumpectomy on the other side because there's some precancerous calcifications and they want to get them out to be sure since I'm high risk.

Anyway, for those of you who had lumpectomies, how was the recovery? How soon was it before you could exercise and generally be back to normal activities?

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  • 1surfermom
    1surfermom Member Posts: 396 Member
    edited August 2016 #2
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    lumpectomy recovery

    I had a lumpectomy and a complete disection of all of the lymph nodes under my arm. By reading your post it appears to me that you will have a lumpectomy only. In my experience the lymph node removal was the worst. If it were just the lumpectomy, I think my recovery would have been about three days. I didn't have any significant pain in my breast after the procedure. I'm sure your surgeon will give the guidelines for exercising. Good for you for keeping up with your fitness. Love Surf

     

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
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    I had a large area taken out

    I had a large area taken out in my lumpectomy. I was in pain for at least two weeks. It helps to have a sports bra or at least one with good tight support. I would put the ice pack they gave me right into the bra and wear it. Even gravity would hurt when i would get out of bed with a bra on, so I started wearing it all the time til the pain subsided.

    Good Luck with yours!

  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
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    Pretty easy

    We're all different so all I can say is I hope your path is as smooth as mine was. My lumpectomy was on a Thursday morning. Friday morning I was up and out the door taking my regular walk. I went to a baby shower Saturday afternoon and could have returned to work on Monday had I not already taken a week off to recover. I did get a seroma near my armpit which actually was somewhat bothersome and had to be drained a couple of times, but the actual lumpectomy site was fine.

    Best of luck to you and keep us posted.

    xo

    Victoria

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
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    aisling8 said:

    Pretty easy

    We're all different so all I can say is I hope your path is as smooth as mine was. My lumpectomy was on a Thursday morning. Friday morning I was up and out the door taking my regular walk. I went to a baby shower Saturday afternoon and could have returned to work on Monday had I not already taken a week off to recover. I did get a seroma near my armpit which actually was somewhat bothersome and had to be drained a couple of times, but the actual lumpectomy site was fine.

    Best of luck to you and keep us posted.

    xo

    Victoria

    I had a lumpectomy and 6

    I had a lumpectomy and 6 lymph nodes removed. I came home the same day with no pain and no bandages. I was superglued back together.  I was off work for 2 weeks and never had any pain or movement limitations in my arm. I'm numb where they took the lymph nodes out, otherwise the whole procedure was painless.  Now chemo was a whole different story.  Best wishes.

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
    edited August 2016 #6
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    If there's one absolute about

    If there's one absolute about cancer, it's that everyone  has a different experience...even on the same procedure! thanks for weighing in, everyone. Hopefully it will be quick and easy. 

  • CoastalMom
    CoastalMom Member Posts: 38
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    Lumpectomy

    Totally agree with Peony!!  I had a lumpectomy,  4 lymph nodes removed, and axillary bx.  I was out of work for 2 weeks.  Completely numb.  Chemo is a different story!!  Ive been in chemo a full year,  just finished 2 weeks ago!

  • 1stTimeStage2
    1stTimeStage2 Member Posts: 38 Member
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    lumpectomy recovery

    I had  lumpectomy and 2 sentinal nodes removed. I did not use my left side and iced the area on/off for the first 2 days but I luckily found the entire experience to be easy. I never even needed a tylenol. I hope you have the same experience! GL!!

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
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    Lumpectomy

    Totally agree with Peony!!  I had a lumpectomy,  4 lymph nodes removed, and axillary bx.  I was out of work for 2 weeks.  Completely numb.  Chemo is a different story!!  Ive been in chemo a full year,  just finished 2 weeks ago!

    One year?

    That's a long time... Congrats on finishing! You should feel better soon, if you don't already.

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
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    My procedure is scheduled for

    My procedure is scheduled for September 1. I'm peeved because I was supposed to do a 5k run on the 5th!

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    edited August 2016 #11
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    You should probably not do the run

    I had absolutely NO problems and had a quick recovery.  I also had 2 nodes removed and a large section of tissue removed (much larger than the lump - it was a mini-breast reduction).  It is still major surgery (anesthesia) and you have been through a whole lot already.  So I think you should probably not plan on doing that run.  Just skip it.  There will be another one.

    Suzanne

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
    edited August 2016 #12
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    Sigh

    I'm sure you're right. It just makes me sad to keep missing out on stuff.

  • CoastalMom
    CoastalMom Member Posts: 38
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    One Year!

    Yes ONE year!!!  I was dx with Stage 1A her2+ and with that dx ~ herceptin is a must for a full year!!!  Thank you! Hopefully I'll start getting back to my normal self soon.  I don't think we ever get back to our "ole normal". It is a "new normal" Is what I call it.  I am still experiencing chemo brain, joint pain and am very tired but hoping to feel better very soon!  Thank you!

     

  • 1stTimeStage2
    1stTimeStage2 Member Posts: 38 Member
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    sorry about the run

    My recovery was easy but not that easy.

  • Iris_G
    Iris_G Member Posts: 50 Member
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    Pretty easy

    My lumpectomy was pretty easy for me.  I had the lumpectomy and sentinel node removal of 3 lymph nodes.  I, too, had a little more removed than just the lump! I tell my hubby that I now have 1 1/2 breasts!  I had it on a Tuesday and by Saturday was out mowing my 2 acres. I'm one of those who believe attitude is everything!  Good attitude, good results! 

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
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    Lumpectomy

    My mom just had a lumpectomy.  Recovery depends on what they take out.   At first they said she would have 2 drains and those would stay in about 10 days and wouldn't be able to drive until the drains were removed.  However, once the surgery came, they were able to remove the breast tumor and two lymph nodes (the one which was cancerous and another just for testing) and they were able only to make one incision.  She had the surgery on Friday and was able to drive on Sunday.   The only thing she had to watch was not to put too much pressure or lift anything heavy on the arm which had the lumpectomy.   That was two weeks ago and she is doing great!  (She's 82 years old)

    Since it is probably an outpatient surgery (my mom's was), you will need someone to be with you at least 48 hours or whatever your surgeon says.

    My best to you on your upcoming lumpectomy.

    Kathy

     

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
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    I appreciate all the input! I

    I appreciate all the input! I'm dreading it a little.

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    edited August 2016 #18
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    I have had "2" lumpectomies

    I have had "2" lumpectomies on the same side (very small breasted)-I did not have much recovery per say-Just wore loose clothing, button up was the easiest. I bought a night gown I would PULL up from my feet-instead of over my head.

     

    Denise

  • Leslie_B
    Leslie_B Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2016 #19
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    I had lumpectomy and then re-cision

    Hello - I had a lumpectomy on 8/4, then 7 days later I had a re-cision as my margins did not come back clean.  I 3 very small stage 0 cancers show up in the margins.  With the re-cision all my margins were clean.  I've had a little bit of a time with mine, fluid has been building up where the lumpectomy was and the DR has drained it once and then it drained itself this past Sunday evening.  I'm going in to see her again this afternoon.  The pain has mostly gone away but ice packs help and doing my arm exercises help a lot also!  Good luck with your surgery - everyone's is different.

  • cinsby88
    cinsby88 Member Posts: 1
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    Lumpedctomy & Sentinel Node Biopsy

    I had a lumpectomy and 2 nodes removed. The recovery wasnt to bad. Ice pack for for a couple of days with a bra that closes in the front with loose clothing. I gave myself a week to recover. I start radiation on the 6th. Good luck with your surgery. Just listen to your body and take good care of yourself and you should be fine. 

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
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    Thanks, all! I had my surgery

    Thanks, all! I had my surgery today and am now home and resting comfortably. The spot they had to take out was pretty deep. The doc thinks recovery will be a breeze, but the nurse navigator thought the opposite. Lol I'll just take care of myself and see.

    Thanks again for sharing your stories!