Lumpectomy

I personally did not wear a bra. I was told by the breast specialist surgeon that the surgery would be a large wide incision and would involve a lot of dressings, same for the axillary clearance. All my nightwear was front fastening. I was staged at stage2 with spread into the lymph nodes. I found the most comfortable position when sitting or in bed was a pillow underneath my arm just above the elbow, this raised my arm just enough to stop any pressure on my armpit stitches, I also slept with a few pillows so I was slightly raised up, I found if I was lying too flat there was pulling on my breast stitches.

I may also add, all that I have explained above was 36 year's ago, age 40, but obviously the procedure and recovery are still the same. 

Best wishes.

Hi HeatherLassie , all great advice from the fine folk here. I’d echo the pillow tips from Sanguinesse , I used a variety of pillows in different places for sleeping and sitting up, for quite some time afterwards. Everybody’s incision will be different in position and size, mine was a long single one for accessing both lump and sentinel nodes so ran right down from just under my armpit along the side of my breast. It was a shock to see afterwards how long it was as I’d had a previous lumpectomy years before which was a tiny incision in comparison! But all healed fine. 
Good luck with it all! Love and hugs, HFxx

Hi HappyFeet1

Wow, I can imagine that would be a shock! My consultant says it should be one incision on my breast to remove lump and another under my arm to remove lymph nodes. All the advice about pillows and sleeping/sitting is great as I've no idea what to expect. 

Can I ask how long it was after your op until you felt able to go out? I'm making a list of movies I want to watch and box sets as thinking I'll be at home on the couch for a few weeks?

In reply to your question to HappyFeet1 regarding going out. I would imagine it varies from person to person and how they feel physically and mentally. I actually decided to walk to the shops for a newspaper with my dog three days after I was discharged from hospital, I just needed to get out into the fresh air. My only worry was if someone bumped into me because I still had my stitches in. But I have to say, with hindsight. I should have stayed in a bit longer because, although I was only out for about 15 minutes I felt a bit light headed, but I just wanted to join the land of the living so to speak and feel normal, or as normal as one can feel under the circumstances. 

To be honest, I found the subsequent radiotherapy three weeks after the surgery affected me more physically, I had 30 sessions, five days a week for six weeks. That knocked the stuffing out of me a bit.

As I say, it depends on the individual how they feel physically, just do what your body tells you, if you just want to stay in and binge watch telly, that's fine. If you feel like a little walk outdoors, that's fine also.

I wish you all the very best.

I was actually the same, went out for short walk with husband and dog 3 days after op. Definitely felt very vulnerable though, would hate to have been bumped. And as Sanguinesse says, it’s really an individual thing. It’s a time to listen to your body and mind, and do whatever feels best for you xxx

Regarding getting out and about I did two short walks on flat tarmac the day after the op. I love to get outside and prior to surgery I ran 6 times a week plus a few walks and yoga, strength etc so it probably also depends on how active you are before.  I think I was lucky too with a lump and lymph node biopsy in the same incision so not much pain.

Hi Sanguinesse 

Thank you so much! You're totally right that it will vary from person to person and I definitely understand your need to join the land of the living. I'm the type of person who loves to be outdoors and being cooped up at home doesn't appeal but I'll definitely listen to my body and just do what I can at my own pace. Xx

Hi RunSkiTea

Thank you! This gives me hope that I'll be able to get out sooner than I imagined, as long as I'm careful and take it easy. Xx

Hi HappyFeet1

Thank you! I've a feeling my partner won't let me do too much or go far without him but I'll definitely listen to my body and take it at my own pace. Xx