Lumpectomy and Node Removal - How long off work?

Hi KCS, and a warm welcome to the forum. The time off work question is a tricky one as it’s a very individual thing. I had a lumpectomy years ago for what turned out to be a benign lump (fibroadenoma, don’t think they even remove them nowadays). Tiny scar, about an inch and a half (no prizes for guessing I’m no spring chicken), had a week off. Fast forward to this time around, had wide local excision and node sampling, thought I’d have a couple of weeks off…. But in the end was off for 4 months from date of op. It’s really difficult to predict, I think, so I’d be inclined to err on the side of caution and warn your employer that it’s hard to know at this stage. My scar was far bigger this time as the surgeon used the one excision to evict the beast and sample a couple of lymph nodes. And after 2 weeks I didn’t feel remotely ready to go back. 
Also depends hugely on your job - mine was mentally and physically very demanding, and I was lucky that my school were very supportive. But some folk here have worked throughout treatment; some out of necessity and some because they actually felt better for it. 
This is the time to listen to your body and do what feels right for you. Many of us feel guilty being off sick, especially as we mostly felt absolutely fine before the diagnosis. But I realised that I needed the time, it covered me through to 4 weeks after radiotherapy. You may not know at this stage what treatment you may (or may not) need beyond surgery. So again it may be wise to say to your employer that you won’t really know until after the op and once you’ve had your results appointment. 
Wishing you well and sending a big virtual hug your way, HFxx 

Following 

My operation is also 20th of July pre op 11th of July. 
LICAP surgery lumpectomy & lymph nodes to test them. 
I’ve told my work & they have been supportive we have agreed 3 weeks with me letting them know once I have pathology results and next steps. Issue is after being there for 11 years I’m only entitled to 5 weeks full pay 5 weeks half pay then SSP. so I’m reluctant to take any more than that in case I need more for radiotherapy etc afterwards. I can work from home so they are flexible with that.

good luck for your operation x

I’ve just started back to work after a year, but had two complicated operations as well as radiotherapy. At this stage you cannot be sure what path your treatment will take - as you see from this forum, plans often change. You can trust your clinic to do all they can to give you a good outcome but nobody has a crystal ball. All you can tell your employer is that you’ll try to keep him in the loop but no one knows for sure how much treatment or time you’ll need. Do not be rushed back to work. 

Hi, I had a lumpectomy and 1 node removed. My surgeon told me to plan for 6 weeks off to recover as he kept reminding me it is major surgery and the body needs time to heal. I booked 5 weeks and honestly could have gone back after 3 but I took all 5 (went on holiday for the last 2) and was glad of it,

Probably depends on your job and where you work. I had my lumpectomy on a Wednesday and was back to work on the Monday, but I'm self employed so no sick pay and I also work from home. I don't have an easy job, but I was able to take frequent breaks even if my working day was long. I also worked throughout chemo with the first few days off, and I worked full time throughout radiotherapy. My work expected me to do the same job so I worked long hours when I was at work and only took the days off I really needed to. Looking back, I don't know how I did it and to be honest, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone that gets sick pay.

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer, it will depend on how you feel. You might not feel ready to back to work after 3 or 6 weeks, or even longer as some have said. Remember you will have your pathology results to get too so I think if it were me I'd wait until I at least got them so I knew what I was dealing with. I had chemo before surgery but I didn't know whether I'd get more chemo until the results of the op were in.

I still don't feel ready to back to an office and am working from home exclusively - it has been over a year since I finished my main treatment. But then, I always preferred working from home so this has been great. However, I just don't see how I would have the energy for the commute on top of work alongside the hormone therapy, not to mention picking up colds or covid when I feel like my immune system is not good with the ongoing treatment plus having hot flushes multiple times a day and not sleeping well - a medical menopause is not fun. I don't see myself ever going back to an office now if I can avoid it, I think it would be too much for me to cope with.

Hello Kelly... in my experience the lumpectomy wasn't the issue. It was a small dip and very neat scar and after initial  discomfort it was fine. The biggy for me was the lymph node clearance. They took 30. I had a drain in for 10 days after. I'm 8 weeks on and my arm feels weaker, even with religiously following the exercises and more which I believe has helped not retaining fluid in the area. It's not painful now but it does feel tight from breast area/underarm down to my elbow. You didn't say what your work is which I would think will be an important factor. As others have said this is major surgery and I can't see a couple of weeks will give you time to recover. Best wishes for your surgery.

I'd guess a month or so, as can be uncomfortable under your arm for a while. But everyone is different. The hospital will give you a 2 week sick note and thereafter I think your GP issues them. See how you go - is difficult to predict how fast you will recover xx

Thanks everyone, I’ve told my boss 3 weeks and then to see what happens as I don’t know how many nodes they’ll take etc etc. I’m 50 and work selling sofas which entails plumping cushions and moving big seat cushions around and carrying heavy fabric books so won’t be able to do any of that for 6 weeks as the consultant said not to.

pits like you all say then, everyone is different and I’ve just got to see how my body copes with it all.

thanks again everyone, you really are a supportive group xxxx

Hi 

had lumpectomy and mamoplasty and 6 nodes removed, doctor gave me note for 6 months but I felt it ok to go back to work after 6 weeks, but work in an office so also depends on job, but everyone is different take as long as you need, I’m a bit of a workaholic was probably a bit soon emotionally  

Hi

I had my op on Monday -  lumpectomy/mammoplasty & 2/3 nodes removed (advised before surgery so not sure how many removed) My BCN originally advised 2 weeks recovery for physical but said longer emotionally, my consultant gave me a sick note for 4 weeks.

I too was wondering how much time I would need off work but from the advice on here it seems a case of taking it a step at a time & seeing when ready.