Lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy

Hi Silvabell , I think it’s really hard to generalise about pain and recovery times. For me, a week was early days, I had a big haematoma, lots of swelling, definitely nowhere near back to normal. Didn’t have a lot of pain (only took paracetamol for a day) but plenty of discomfort. I’d had a previous lumpectomy years before, for a fibroadenoma. That incision was just an inch or so and I ‘bounced back’ very quickly. This time though it was a very long incision as the surgeon used just one to access the lump and the sentinel nodes. It healed well eventually but it wasn’t quick. Different locations and depths of incision will also affect pain and healing. I was out for short walks after a couple of days but felt very ‘protective’ of the area as it was so tender. 
Definitely keep up with the exercises, very important for mobility. But if you’re in a lot of pain and discomfort then don’t hesitate to contact the breast nurses to get it checked. 
Some people here have also mentioned driving again pretty promptly but in my case it was around 4 weeks before I felt ready. It’s very individual. Love and hugs, HFxx

Thanks, that's reassuring. I was perhaps expecting too much of myself too soon. It's tenderness and hardness, rather than pain in my breast plus sore and stiff under the affected arm and shoulder.

I've not yet dared to remove the dressings yet, as I'm a bit afraid of what I'll see. Did you feel like that? (They said I could remove dressings after 48hrs but not remove the steri strips). I've just had strip washes so far and avoided the chest/ underarm area completely.

I'm doing the post-op exercises and a bit on the static bike. 

Hi @Silvabell 

I had the same operation last Thursday - so only a week in. 

At first I was so scared of being in pain I took paracetamol every 4 hours but now I haven't touch them for days. I am feeling more sore (but not pain) as the days go on and I think it's just the healing process. 

I was told to leave the dressings on for 2 weeks and then take them off along with the steri-strips.  I was also told to wear a supportive bra 24/7 for 3 weeks - have you done this?  This may stop the movement and help you heal better. 

I will be scared of removing the dressings too - I hate stuff like this, i'm really not a good patient. 

It could be the dressing plastic that's causing discomfort though as you have had them on a while - I would maybe take them off.  if you feel scared to do this I am sure you can go see the BCNs and get them to help you. 

Keep us posted. 

Thanks for your answer, it's good to know I'm not alone with this situation.  

Yes, I was advised to wear a supportive bra 24/7 for 3 weeks. Also to do specific post-op shoulder/ arm exercises, with more advanced ones tomorrow eg walking fingers up a wall.

Were you also told to avoid heavy arm activities for 2 weeks? eg vacuuming

You definitely had different advice about dressing removal... maybe I should check with the BCNs.

Good luck with your recovery.

Hi Silvabell , re dressings…. I had to remove mine after 3 days because it was blood stained. I’d been given a spare dressing by the hospital. It was too awkward to put the new one on myself so my poor husband had to help! It was a shock seeing how long the incision was - the length of my index finger plus knuckle - but sort of a relief to get that over and done with. I went to the breast clinic a couple of days later to get the haematoma checked, there was a chance it might need to be drained but luckily it slowly reabsorbed so no intervention needed. Tbh seeing the incision helped me understand why it felt so vulnerable. I just did flannel washes too but sat in a shallow bath for washing other bits! What a palaver but it will pass. 
I was definitely told to avoid heavy stuff initially, possibly for 2 weeks. Great excuse for someone else to hoover! My arm felt heavy and awkward for a while, I kept wanting to keep it raised and sat with it supported on a cushion. Again it slowly resolved. Xx

Thanks so much for your reply. It is a comfort to hear other people have gone through the same thing. I'm going to have to steel myself to look at the wound sometime, maybe with my husband nearby incase I go wobbly!

Although I feel traumatised I keep trying to tell myself that I'm lucky to receive such good treatment, with surgery within 4 weeks of diagnosis. Everyone at the breast clinic is lovely too..

Hello Silvabell, it's so nice and reassuring to hear you had good treatment, with lovely staff and within 4 weeks too :)  Hope you feel less sore soon. It is traumatising, as it comes out of the blue, you have endless appointments and a month later surgery. So the emotional toll is high. I haven't got my head around it and my op is next week, I'm very anxious but relieved it's happening sooner rather than later. Can I ask a question about cushions/pillows? Did you buy a support cushion for under your arm and when you're out in the car as a passenger? If you did, do you have any recommendations? I saw some under arm little pillows on Amazon, some heart-shaped Cancer Research ones and someone recommended a plush toy called Squishmallows! Thank you.

Hi I was really anxious about my op but iike you, wanted it sooner than later! Now I'm a week post- op and so relieved to have that part done ( as you will have soon)... I now have a breather before the next treatments.

What I can say is that all the hospital staff are supportive and understanding,also the fellow patients..I think I told absolutely everyone I was terrified! So you will be well looked after. Just by expressing it, got rid of a bit of anxiety and everyone was kind.

Post op advice was to follow the physio exercises 3 times a day, remove dressings after a minimum of 48hrs (but not the steri strips). Paracetamol and codeine for pain relief, surgical stockings until fully mobile, avoid heavy activities for 2 weeks eg vacuuming.

I just got myself comfy with normal pillows at night ( also sports bra 24/7 for 3 weeks). My sister bought me a heart-shaped pillow which I've not used yet. It is made by Devon duvets and has ties so you can keep it in the right position. I may need that when I'm out  in the car with the seat belt on? I don't know how much it was.

Anyway best of luck with the op, I know what you're going through. It will soon be done and you will be so relieved! Keep talking ( ie don't bottle things up!)

Sorry my answer was mega long! 

All the best, take care

I had same yesterday, luckily, I have no pain and in fact feel really good, the difficult thing is remembering I’m recovering from surgery and must rest and not use arm as normal. My problem was 4 different nurses told me different things.

wear a bra, don’t wear a bra, it’s up to you, wear one during day but take off at night.

have a shower next day, don’t have shower for 2 days, leave it a week, it’s up to you what you can manage but keep wound dry.

I’ve done exercises twice today, 3 more to go as they said 5 times a day. Found it easy no pain but stuck to what I was told didn’t over extend.

sleeping is my problem, I’m a side sleeper ♀️ unfortunately some side as op. One nurse said that was ok another said sleep on other side another said sleep on back.

confused but happy tumour out feeling positive onwards and upwards 

good luck x

Hi hospital gave me v pillow to bring home, not really use to it yet tho