Hi, I found a lump mid February and it’s taken forever but I finally had my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy yesterday. Feeling pretty good today and only in pain if I move the wrong bits! I have more dressing than boob going on and can’t quite work out which bit is what yet. I was a bit miffed that the surgeon didn’t come to speak to me afterwards so I’ve had no feedback whatsoever, but hoping all went to plan (is this normal?). Just so pleased to have finally had something done and hoping it’s all out, and now onto the next lot of waiting for the results! I’m day one of three weeks of no driving and “no lifting anything heavier than a kettle” and I’m already bored 
Hope everyone is managing to have a good weekend 
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Great to hear you are feeling pretty good after your surgery! I also didn’t see my surgeon afterwards and so, like you, had to assume all went well too (thankfully it did!). I hope the rest of your recovery continues to go well. x
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Hello @floss2
I’m glad to hear you’ve had your surgery and are experiencing the relief of “getting that bit out of the way”
My lumpectomy experience (nearly 4 years ago) was having been last on the list there was no possibility of the surgeon seeing me afterwards: I know that for the patient any surgery is major, but in terms of what the surgeon does on a daily basis a lumpectomy is a relatively straightforward procedure and whilst it would be nice to have some immediate feedback, I’m not sure they necessarily see it that way.
I also expect part of the reason you aren’t seen as a matter of course after a lumpectomy is that it’s not until what has been removed has been analysed by a lab that they can actually give you a meaningful report.
At your follow up appointment you will be told what the margins are which means they can tell you if any cancerous cells were found on the edges of what was removed: the best result is being told they got “clear margins” meaning that they were able to remove every bit of the tumour, but this isn’t always possible depending on where it was located
I know it’s easier said than done, but for the time being at least try to challenge your energy into the recovery process: make sure you do your shoulder exercises! And I sincerely hope you get good news at your results appointment
Sending you lots of healing hugs
AM xx
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Well done @floss2 your doing very well
All my lumpectomy’s never saw surgeon until follow-up appointment and histology results , I know your bored but make the most of the sunshine , go for nice walks
Hope all goes well x
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Thank you ladies.
I’ve finally had a look in the mirror this morning. I’m really surprised that the affected side is a completely different size and shape!! I was just expecting a scar and a dip and maybe a bit smaller, it’s like someone else’s chest! I’m not distressed by this because I’m 45 and I know it’s not important, but still really surprised! Also surpised that they went in at the top when it was round the side - seems totally illogical to take the scenic route! But of course the surgeon knows a bit more than me about what he was doing 
I’ve just seen another thread and it’s made me wonder - after it all heals up, will it be completely different from what it looks now? It looks kind of square!! It might perhaps be a bit hard at the moment and go back to being more droopy later on? It’s so different from the other right now!
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Hello again @floss2
Most definitely! The human body is amazing in it’s ability to heal. I was only thinking the other day how my breast looked after surgery and how it’s now a small scar and only a slightly different shape from the other
AM xxx
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Hi, so pleased everything went well. I didnt see my surgeon either. As someone said, they dont know anything until it has been analyzed in the lab. I was only told by recovery and ward nurses that all went well.
I had my surgery 2 years ago and have been left a bit lumpy bumpy but at 55 I am not too bothered. I have my annual check up in a couple of weeks.
Make sure you do those exercises to help prevent shoulder and arm stiffness.
Good luck with your results appointment - finger crossed for you xx
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I guess maybe plans of recovery are individual. I had my lumpectomy last year and was advised not to drive for 1 week - I may have cheated on this to get food after a few days ( avoiding hard breaking, only a short trip). Was down the gym after 2 weeks. Were you given a leaflet with exercises to do? You need to start these day one to prevent cording.
3 weeks sounds cautious to me for a lumpectomy, but if you have been told that, there could be good reason, so ask your BCN on Monday to clarify.
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Yes, I started the exercises yesterday. The physiotherapist really drummed it in to me about taking it very easy, I think from all the posts I’ve read about how quick others improved I was surprised by her timings and how cautious she said to be. I asked if I could do more than the three reps of exercises a day as I’m keen to get back my strength etc but she said not to.
On another note, I felt really well in myself yesterday but today I feel a little sickly and tired despite having only got up two hours ago. I guess this is things starting to catch up with me now?
What it looks like after probably depends on a combination of how much was taken, the relative size you are, and the position it was taken from, so its individual. There’s not been much difference in size or shape to me - my nipple may be about 1.5cm higher, so had a slight boob lift on that side. Also had some oedema to breast skin after radiotherapy and cording, so Id advise lots of massage and exercise after radiotherapy ( after only 1 SLNB, it still happened).
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Have you had any codeine since the op? I find that makes me tired and sickly if I take more than 30mg. I was fine with paracetamol , only took 1 codeine before doing the nighttime reps before bed.
I was more tired for a couple of days after the op also, it does take a bit of time to get over it.
I hadn’t thought about the codeine - I’ve taken half the recommended dose both nights since, that could be having an effect today. I just wanted to sleep well. I’ll not bother tonight and see if it makes any difference, not sure I need them anyway.
Mine was like that! After surgery the bottom was really flat and looked square (I joked it looked like a Minecraft boob!). Mine sorted itself out after a couple of months. x
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Nobody said anything about not driving to me - I know that it’s illegal to drive for at least 24 hours after any general anaesthetic and I think I left it about a week because I didn’t really feel like myself . @floss2 be kind to yourself sometimes the anaesthetic drugs and the fact that you are rid of the cancer makes you feel a bit buoyant for a while then a day or two later it can hit you. This happened to me after a previous small op so I was careful for a few days after my breast surgery. I wasn’t prescribed Codeine - I bought the weak strength of Cocodamol over the counter which is 8mgs of Codeine per tablet pings 500 mgs of Paracetamol but I managed without it - even the weak strength makes me constipated and I didn’t want to exchange one pain for another . If you have the ones that contain 30mgs of Codeine then they may be making you feel a bit sickly but could be good to help you get a good night’s sleep . I had a booklet with my exercises telling me what to do at what stage - I got full movement back quite quickly so a month after surgery I decided I was going to go sea swimming ( not for everyone but it’s my passion ) . My friend who had breast surgery a few years before me said it was too soon and she was right - it felt like something was tearing under my arm . No damage was done thankfully and 3 weeks after that swimming was ok . I also thought the recommended exercises were a bit conservative for the first 2 weeks but it’s probably best to follow the recommendations. Wishing you a speedy recovery . Xx
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Hi
Please rest, stay hydrated and do those exercises
Make sure you have a great support bra and leave the scar to heal
You are likely to have swelling for a while, you might bruise, you might have pain or aches…all perfectnormal
Not seeing a surgeon post op is also normal
Your follow up will give you more information and next steps. Take someone with you if you can
Rest, walk, hydrate, exercise repeat…boring but it works
Good luck xx
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Well done you. You sound upbeat and have such a positive attitude which is so important. Wishing you all the best.
I had surgery in December and was surprised about how different my boob looked. It had a dent on the top (they went in at the 12 o clock position to the nipple) and it was almost like it was caving in. Then as it started to heal I ended up with a weird crease down the side! It’s only now nearly 6 months later that it seems to of settled and looks fairly normal, my scar has started to fade and I am back to wearing a normal bra. My Nurse said it takes a while for the tissue to all grow back and settle back into the breast, it’s just so bizarre how the body heals. Glad your surgery went well and definitely take the advice to relax and allow your body time to recuperate-I was up trying to mop the floors and immediately regretted it!
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Thanks @lambo01 . That’s really interesting that yours settled like that, maybe there is hope for mine to look like a boob again one day, and hopefully a bit like the other! I’m desperate to mop my floors, they are shocking, but I know it’s a bad idea so I’m refusing entry to visitors instead
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