What to expect before and after lumpectomy surgery

I have my lumpectomy surgery in a few days but I don't know what to expect after the surgery and how will  the recovery be. Please kindly advice me from someone who has recently had this surgery.

I am very scared.

Hi Orange1  I had my op in august last year. It’s day surgery and when you arrive you speak to the surgical team who go through everything with you. After the surgery they get you to drink & eat & make sure you’re feeling ok. After an hour or 2 I was allowed home. 

it was sore but not that painful for me. I was sent home with pain killers but didn’t use them. You haven’t said if you’re having lymph node removal but if you do, there’s exercises to do in the weeks following. 

I found the op wasn’t anywhere near as bad as I had thought & hopefully you won’t either! Good luck! 

Hi shellbell24

Thankyou for your reply so quickly .

It assures me that I am not alone. Some of my lymph nodes will also be removed. I will remember your advice for exercise . 

Hope things are good for you nw.  

You will get a leaflet with the Excercise to do each day. This helps reduce the risk of lymphoma and frozen shoulder so it’s a must! The wound in your armpit for the lymph nodes is the most tender & you will find certain positions in bed uncomfortable but hopefully not too bad! 

Thanyou. May God bless u. 

Owww Orange1 - don't be scared....

First welcome to the place none of us here wanted to be a part of - since you are here know that you are in the best place, there are so many ladies and gentlemen with an array of knowledge - that any worries or questions can be answered.

When you read my reply to you do so known that I had never stayed in hospital, never had a operation and would hardly go to the dentist out of fear......

My operation was a combined operation, I had the lumpectomy and I had internal radiotherapy - given at the same time.

I have to say I could not believe how little to no pain I had ..... the operation side did not hurt at all.  I had one 3" approx line where the operation was performed and this was closed with internal and covered with a (think they are called 'stern strips') a type of 'tape' that is placed along the operation site.  This was left on for a week to 10 days depending on healing.

The only area I had what I would call 'minimum pain' was where I had the 'sentinel node' was taken from .... this area is under the arm towards the front and was about an "inch' in length. ..... this was strange sensation, this started a day or so after the operation and it was like a 'smarting' type of sensation - not painful as in pain, more of a type of stinging - when it got to the point that I thought I would take pain relief for it - it stopped (this latest a few days).

That was it !!  - I felt so bad on here saying this at first knowing what some of our ladies have had to go thought - I was truly blessed.  To the point it even made me think if all operations are like this.... why haven't I had a tummy tuck (realistic side of this I haven't lost weight to even consider it) - I can honestly say my experience was truly amazing - far different to what I was expecting.

I hope this helps easy your mind a little - oww and I will add 'before the operation' all my mind was saying was 'just get this out of here' - for some reason I hadn't thought everything that was going to go on - I just wanted 'it' out.

Please try not to be scared - just know that after the operation 'it is out' .....  if you need to talk - I am here for you 

Look out for the AWAKE thread - we all nip in and out of there day and night time - where we have questions, ideas, how the day has gone or what the other girls are up to..... well, Fruit Loops as they are called - a place where we can unwind - with people that we know 'truly understand what we go/going through ..... this is a link ....

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/breast-cancer-forum/f/general/128753/awake/1835108

and of course....

Hi lovely 

this is a scary experience it’s all a waiting game at the beginning 

I had lumpectomy on 16th January and some lymph’s removed for biopsy it is painful especially first few days but then I found I could cope with it although sleeping can hurt when turning  in sleep etc 

I think the sorest part for me was under my armpit where lymph’s were taken my boob two weeks on is still tender but ok 

I’m now waiting for biopsy results I get in two weeks 

we are all her to support each other so don’t feel alone we are here 

sending you positive vibes and love xx

Thankyou soooooo much. It make me a lot ease. I am so glad to have joined. 

Good luck for your results. 

Owww and what I forgot to say after reading Ginbin73's reply is ..... I slept on the settee, in a semi-upright position, I did this so I didn't lye on the area - and it was just easier to get up etc without putting extra pressure on the arm area.

The other thing I forgot to mention is, depending on how you are travelling, especially if you are going home in a car (it applies for all really) get someone to bring a "pillow" in for you - and place this between you and your seatbelt - it  helps support you against the seatbelt and most of all any bumps in the road xxx

I do think again like Ginbin has said it is the area where the lymph nodes are taken from that causes more of a concern and that isn't pain .... its a sore feeling that comes and goes