Lumpectomy Advice

Hi Opalfruits2001, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I is a lumpectomy in Oct  and I did have to have lymph nodes cleared in Nov as they found cancer in my sentinel node. Up until I had radiotherapy things were good and I had a good range of movement, They will give you exercises to do after surgery, these help with the healing and keep your arm mobile and help with scar tissue. I found a good soft supportive bra (no underwire) or crop top was good. Some use sports bras but I didn’t find those particularly comfortable. Marks and Spencer’s bra fitting  service was great and they were able to help and I could try on a range of soft bras. I took just paracetamol after the surgery and kept that up for 3-4 days before reducing the dosage and easing off them. It’s worth taking a blouse or shirt to put on after surgery so you don’t have to lift your arm. It’s much easier to slip on. Same with pjs a button up front top was really useful. 

Wishing you all the best.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi, sorry you find yourself here. I also took a pair of non slip slippers and a dressing gown with me to hospital. I hope all goes well for you and wish you all the best. 

Hi Opalfruits2002

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with breast cancer. Bring something with you to keep yourself occupied while you wait to go down to surgery as there can be a bit of a wait between you checking into the hospital and your surgery.  The pains down your arm is probably because you are stressed.  It can be stressful while you are waiting for things to happen.

Wishing you the best of luck with your surgery and whatever treatment your medical team puts you on.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Good shout on the tops. Will see what I can sort this weekend. Also, I had totally forgot to sort new bras. I’m going to have to find time to pop to M&S and restock ready for next week. 

You mentioned ‘before radiotherapy’. Did that affect your movement a lot? 

That’s what I’m hoping regarding the pains as the biopsy initially came back clear. 

I’m going to try to take my switch and hopefully it won’t take that long. The nurse said it’s about an hour for the surgery but to factor in the time before and after to the day.

How long was your recovery if you don’t mind me asking? Just worried as I have 2 toddlers who are quite active. 

Hi Opalfruits2001, the radiotherapy has made the underarm scar and breast sorer than before. I didn’t do my exercises as often and yes it did stiffen a bit but I have restarted the exercises and movement is much better. I thought that as I used my arm I wouldn’t need to exercise but I guess it’s the type of exercises that help stretch muscles you don’t perhaps use when just regularly moving your arm. Hoping this may also help with the soreness too.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

I didn't require any painkillers after leaving hospital sane day but I didn't have any nodes removed .  Bras- a lot will depend where your scars are.  Mine was top left of breast, nowhere near any wires or seams so I could wear a soft padded underwire bra as being a G cup it held my breast up to stop pulling on scar.  I came home in zip up hoody.  Pillow for car to protect from seatbelt and make you feel more secure.  Take to hospital dressing gown as you usually walk to theatre.  Plus phone charger in case kept in. I had radiotherapy 2 months later and aside from under my breast my skin held up well - large breasts tend to get skin on skin burns.  Aloe Vera in fridge is good to cool skin.  Good luck xx

Hi Opalfruits2001

It took about a week for me to recover from surgery.

I found I got sore after a while from wearing cropped tops day and night, so would wear a soft T-shirt with the bra/ cropped top over it. Having bought sooooooo many bras I’ve just discovered Sloggi zero feel bras which are very comfy and give a bit more support than a cropped top - feel shapely again. I had 4 lymph nodes out and got some swelling there afterwards, I got a little heat pad off amazon, the wheat one that you pop in the microwave, that helped. One of the nurses also recommended a small cushion. I have a small rectangular furry one and it has been really helpful. I’d walk around with it under my arm for support, and  at night I cradle it on my left side (op was on left) for support or if lying on my right side it sits in my cleavage and my boob rests on it as I found it painful when my boob was laid on or pulled to the other side. Vitamin B was also good for nerve pain from the lymph node removal. And finally I had really hypersensitive skin and nipple. I discovered that if I taped my nipple down with some silicone plaster (mepilex light) then as that didn’t rub as much the rest of my boob and armpit were not as tender. It’s a bit of trial and error but the lymph node site was more sore than the boob, but I didn’t need painkillers and with exercises and allowing your self some time to recover you will be OK. I found the anaesthetic took a few days to leave my system, but I was working home 2 days after the op.

Sorry for the brain dump! Hope some of it is helpful

on my surgery days, first one said come early so i was there for opening, nly went in around 2 or 3 pm, home by 6-7pm.

second surgery i came for 10am, as had to sign consent on the day, but similar timeline, home for 6-7pm.

it depends on the surgeon, mine did afternoon ops, know some prefer morning ops. also they tend to take the most difficult cases first, just in case.

if you take electronics, i recommend a battery brick to keep them charged. also a good bag yo put your stuff in while in surgery. the second surgery i let handbag at home and took stuffall bag w zip.

i also had seroma so had swollen boob for 3 weeks, , 4th week new surgery (less swelling and no aching )

i didnt bother with draining it because the swelling was widely distributed, so it ached but not real pain. found a zip sports bra best support for sleep. as some say no stitches near seams so was ok.