Post surgery

Not medical advice, just what I was told following similar surgery: light showering is good as keeping clean is important, but don’t scrub at your wounds and pat dry with a clean towel. The steristrips etc stay on unless you soak them for ages. Do your arm exercises three times a day - diagrams on the Breast Cancer Care Now site if you can’t find them. This will reduce the chances of tight scars and lymphodema (I think that’s right). Report to the breast care nurse if your scars bleed, ooze, feel very red and hot or smell wrong. Most infections are superficial but best tell someone just in case. Take regular paracetamol- avoid ibuprofen in the early days as it can increase bleeding. Painkillers stop you staying too still and not moving. Keep a supportive bra on at all times. Once it starts healing you can rub in your favourite moisturiser. I don’t know about arnica but sounds ok to me (check with your BCN). Drink plenty of fluids as that will help the healing. Cuddling a soft cushion can help, especially with the armpit pain. Don’t drive and don’t pick up anything heavy with that arm.

ive probably forgotten some things but hopefully that’ll be a reminder for you 

Hi there, sorry you feel a bit down and haven't had the advice you need.  I had a lumpectomy and I was advised to keep the wound and dressing dry for 10-14 days after surgery.  I did shower, but basically kept the wound area dry.  I didn't put anything on it and I only removed the dressing when I had my follow up. I am sorry I can't advise on massage or arnica, but hopefully someone else will pop along here soon with some more ideas.  Hope you're on the road to recovery soon x

Huh, I was under strict instructions to shower every day and it was fine to get my dressings wet. Did you have the soluble internal stitches and glue combo? Maybe that’s the difference? H definitely needs advice re her specific surgery

I had a dressing over the soluble stitches, maybe that makes a difference 

Probably. None of my soluble stitches were external, just glue and steristrips

Thank you for replying, I’ve been wiping my surgery site gently with wet wipes tonight. I’ve not been told about arm exercises yet either. I will have to get on top of things first thing on Monday. I think it looks like under skin stitches, and completely covered in surgical glue. 

Well that sounds like it should be kept dry to me. Do check. Here’s the link for the arm exercises https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/publication/exercises-after-breast-cancer-surgery-bcc6

You can download the leaflet in .pdf form

Thank you 

That's not great you didn't get any instructions on next few days and weeks. I got arm exercises that I had to start day after surgery.

As others have said, having a shower is fine but don't wash your wounds/dressings for first few days while they're healing.

Also, I would stay away from any kind of creams for now, including the arnica .You want to keep everything as clean as possible, and you could risk infection if something goes in to your wound before it has healed up properly. The bruises will heal by themselves.

I started using bio oil about 4 weeks post surgery, which is what bio-oil recommend.

Hope you are feeling OK after surgery.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I’ve managed to arrange a district nurse to see me tomorrow for advice. My Mac nurse has had to take passionate leave. You’re all so good at making someone who is feeling alone realise there are ladies out there who understand and care, so thank you