Compression socks after lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy

Going through breast cancer treatment Surgery
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Hi all, how long do you need to wear the compression socks for after surgery for a lumpectomy & sentinel node biopsy please?

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Hi @light26

I was told to wear them for a week. This was in the winter so bearable. I thought that sounded like a long time so see what other responses you receive.

Wishing you a speedy recovery :mending_heart:

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I’ve had 2 lumpectomies and a mastectomy and each time was told until fully mobile with a minimum of 24 hours.

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Hi @light26
I was told first 24 hours after surgery I had boots on that inflated up and down whilst in bed after surgery when I was being discharged doctor said didn’t need to wear them if I could move around and was active when I got home , I also had blood thinning injections to stop clots , I managed to walk around the garden every day and walk up and down the sitting room x

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Hi. I had them put on just after admission at 7.30 am. I was allowed to take them off on discharge at 5.30pm.

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As long as you keep moving regularly, 24 hours after op . They drove me mad …

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I was told two weeks when I had lumpectomy and slnb

Xx

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I was told 2 weeks also xx

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I had the compression boots in hospital as i had varicose veins they were heaven x

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Thank you everyone :heart:

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@light26, it depends on how active you are, having had 4 surgeries I was advised once I was up and walking you didn’t need to wear them in the daytime. My team suggested that I wore them overnight for a week post-surgery to reduce any risks, I have to admit I forgot after a few days post lumpectomies after my recent DIEP surgery I was more diligent as this was a 10-hour surgery.

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I had to wear them for two weeks. Very uncomfortable. I was allowed to take them off for 2hours each day to wash them.

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I was also told 2 weeks yet after bilateral therapeutic mammoplasty and sentinel node biopsy. Yet when you read through hospital guidelines across the UK there seems to be a huge variation - with many just saying wear until you are fully mobile and others saying 7 to 14 days or even longer. Some say only wear daytime and others at night. Wonder what nurses on here advise?

I find them really uncomfortable and have red weals at the back of my knees where they dig into the flesh. Took off for first time today (day 5 post op) to wash and the relief is enormous! I actually am fine wearing the support bra 24/7 as feels safer for recovering tissue but the socks are driving me nuts as constant discomfort!

Am doing what I’m told and sticking with it and will ask surgeon on day 9 when I have follow-up consultation.
Best wishes.

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On July 2nd I had single mastectomy with axillary lymph node removal, diep flap reconstruction and symmetry on the other breast. I got sent home with compression socks on but I started taking them off in the daytime while we were having crazy heat wave. But when I had my 3 week wound check last week I went in without them on and got told off by the nurse and she said I should wear them for 6 weeks even though I’m really active? I’m so confused because it’s so different between each area/hospital in the UK and I thought I’d only have to keep them on if I wasn’t very mobile?

I did 10000 steps the other day!

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My lumpectomy in March in Scotland I just wore them for the op. Took them off when I got ready to go home and left them in the hospital. No mention of wearing them afterwards by the ward nurses, the nurse who rang to give post op advice before I went in or on the leaflet I was given.

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I was told 6 weeks too, and was really surprised. I wondered if there were risk factors they were not telling me about. I am very active, out with my dogs walking.

I walked 6 miles on Wednesday ( 1 week post lumpectomy). So I am wearing them at night,but not during the day.

I mean they only supplied 2 pairs for 6 weeks!!