A few weeks after my lumpectomy i was finding the exercises very easy. I discovered the Australian breast cancer post surgery exercises on line & added these to my routine. The UK approach seems to be one size fits all, regardless of your fitness & strength before surgery. Do check with your breast care nurses & do only as much as you feel able.
2 Likes
Hi, I didnt see my surgeon after either, or at my follow up which is a good thing maybe
I had my op last july lumpectomy and the same as you shocked by the dressing and then scar, my lump was at the top but scar aroubd the areola and out to armpit, also seprate scar for node, i was told the reason its like it was (looked like a snail to me ha) is so they can pull the skin back so to get the best shape backas possible, oh and your scars fade so well!!! Mine have, i think in time will be so faint, my boobs wonky and nipple looks like off for a day out ha but like u i was 45 and who cares , id rather have a wonky boob and still be here, also i got pain a long time after, after radiotherapy i think nerve pain ect, i think i dod to much to soon so take it easy and good luck on results xx
1 Like
Hi Floss, I had my lumpectomy and sentinel node removal 5 years ago adn I too was surprised in the difference of the size. I wasnāt seen afterwards like everybody else and it can feel a little insensitive of the surgeon, after we are thrown into appointments after diagnosis then suddenly its like we are forgotten. Try not to stress about it, take the time now to rest adn do your exercises as recommended to ensure you get full movement back in your arm. I live with two different sized breasts and although my family and friends say they cant tell, it is apparent to me with a larger cup bra to accommodate one larger and a space in the other cup. Its only noticed by others if my dress a little bit low at the front, then you can see my cleavage is pulled to the left, but honestly I have learned to live with it and the NHS never mentioned it before, after or now.
Take this time now to rest, relax and focus on you and what you want out of life and always listen to your body xx
1 Like
I was told 2weeks as some lymph nodes were removed. Iām not having Chemo - was offered as ābelt & bracesā but I refused - but will shortly be having 5 sessions of Radiotherapy, infusions of Zoledrinic Acid - once every 6 months for 3 years to protect the bones - & will be taking Letrozole. Dreading this as have read about the bad side effects although the ladies I have spoken to who have/are taking it experienced no side effects. I guess Iāll have to āsuck it & seeā
Iām a theatre support worker. Im also receiving chemo for breast cancer. Ive not yet had my op. Thats in a few months. I have worked in breast theatre so for all you lovely ladies id like to share some info on āthe theatre sideā.
Lumpectomy is a very common operation and even in a small hub there are several done everyday. The lump is removed and placed on a marked board. This lump is then given a mammogram. The surgeon will check they are happy, enough of a margin is removed while the patient is on the table. If not more is removed and mammogrammed again. Margins are then rechecked. To be honest most of the time its first time right. The lymph nodes are then removed if needed. As well as any more specimens. At the point all the surgeon could probably tell you is that they removed what they wanted to. The specimens are sent off for testing. Not seeing the surgeon after your op should be expected i suppose. They will have other patients and clinincs to attend to. And no results at that time to give to you. I cant comment on your scars. I only ever see them āfreshā . Not healed. But i have yet to meet a consultant breast surgeon who does not give their patient 100%.
9 Likes
Thank you for that information. I had a lumpectomy in December 2024 - clear margins - followed by 5 sessions of radiotherapy. Although Iām recovering well I still feel that thereās a big blank about my treatment, and Iām the sort of person who wants to know details, so what you have said is very helpful.
Itās quite a leap of faith to walk into an operating theatre, climb onto the table, and put yourself in the hands of a surgeon who you met for the first time a few hours earlier, and an anaesthetist who you met for the first time in the theatre. I made that leap of faith, and am content with the outcome, but still have an underlying feeling of ānot knowing what happenedā, if that makes sense.
2 Likes
The Registrar popped in to see me on the ward after surgery but it isnāt always possible for them to do that due to demands of work - Iām a Recovery Nurse and I also know how hard the Surgeons work . You do feel that you want that individual extra service but it isnāt always possible for them to give that to every patient . I had a small Gynae op quite a few years ago and the Consultant came to see me that time although we had a perfectly sensible conversation I couldnāt remember a lot of what he said later so a post - op visit may be of limited value as you may still be under the influence of the anaesthetic even without being aware of it . If you have been offered a Holistic Needs Assessment this would be a question that you could ask as part of that and your BCN could speak to your Surgeon on your behalf about it and come back to you. I appreciate that it does go against all our instincts when we hand ourselves over to strangers in the way we do for surgery - I was fortunate in that I already knew my Surgeon and Anaesthetist . In some ways that makes it easier as I trusted them but it also increases the embarrassment factor .
2 Likes
Thank you for your response. Let me stress that I wasnāt complaining; merely trying to voice my feelings.
I certainly didnāt expect to see the surgeon afterwards, particularly as I was last on the list.
I just felt as though Iād been suddenly placed on a roller-coaster, with a lot happening to me, and struggling to learn a new language, trying to take in what was being said, and doing my best to reassure people who care about me. It was pretty overwhelming for a woman who is normally in reasonable control!
I am beginning to accept that Iāll never know what was done to me, but I am nevertheless grateful for the excellent care I received. I repeat that my previous post was intended as an observation of my experience, not a complaint.
2 Likes
I wasnāt sure - having been a Nurse I know how things work and sometimes other people donāt and have different expectations. Iām glad that you got really good care and yes I think itās particularly hard for people who are used to being very much in control of themselves and their lives to relinquish that control . Remember what I said about the Holistic Needs Assessment though - if youāre offered one and want to ask any questions about anything at all itās a good chance to do so. We also have a support group that the BCNs organise itās every 3 months and Iāve had a lot of benefit from that. I had a failed procedure done under local anaesthetic before I had my surgery and I had concerns relating to that and after mentioning this to the BCN at our group a meeting was arranged for me with the Radiologist who performed the failed procedure which gave me closure , her too probably as I was the only person for whom the procedure hadnāt been successful . Xx
2 Likes
@leicester1 thatās really interesting, thanks for that insight. Iād expected the surgeon (or someone) to give me feedback because I got that after my only other op years before (checking innards to see why I couldnāt get pregnant). I could of course tell Iād been operated on but just wondered if it had gone to plan more than anything I think. Maybe a little post-it note to say āI removed it and a node xā 
In other news, for those that read through the thread pre-lumpectomy to get a feel for what they are facing, the boob is no longer square after a week 
Actually much more boob-like now. Iāll be curious to see what itās like when itās all healed. Iām no longer going to rename myself Sponge-Bob-Square-Boob, which I was tempted to do.
I posted this under the ask a nurse thread - Iāve no idea what Iām supposed to be doing about my dressings. I know this is silly and I should just contact the BCNs but you know when you leave something it becomes a thing you avoid more and more!!
I certainly didnāt take your comments as a complaint. I think from most patients perspective you made valid points. I just thought id fill in some gaps for you and maybe offer an insight that isnāt seen by most people. Iāve always said that knowledge was power. After a routine operation we all expect the surgeon or reg to say everything went well. we WANT to hear it. But until the tests come back they canāt. Iām gald youāre happy with your level of care. Its great to hear. I also wish you a speedy recovery
I also work in recovery sometimes. The amount of people who wake up and ask the recovery nurse how it went is a lot. I really do understand about you just wanting the post it note . Its just a bit of reassurance really isnt it. That they got it all i suppose.
Iām interested to see how i get on with my surgery considering the team i work with will actually be performing the procedure. Hopefully i donāt embarrass myself 
. If i do they can all stay away afterwards .
1 Like
Hi
I had an appointment about 10 days after lumpectomy for the nurse to take of my dressings and check the wound.
Xx
I bet youāve seen all sorts in recovery! I remember coming round from sedation years ago after IVF and the nurse calling my name and in my head I was repeatedly telling her to f-off because I wanted to keep them shut. Iāve been wondering for years if I was actually saying that out loud!! I wouldnāt want people I know doing it, I know thereās the trust thing which would make someone feel reassured when they know them but Iād be worrying about them seeing my boob and watching me dribble
2 Likes
@chillout365 Iām hoping I get that because Iām really not wanting to be pulling it all off, it looks gruesome. Removing plasters is worse than the wounds and injuries! Iām such a wimp!
1 Like
They asked me what I wanted and I said I wanted them to do it at the hospital.
Xx
Hi
Once your scars have nicely healed please try using bio oil. It really helped my pink pronounced scar flatten and now 2 and a bit years later its almost disappeared into a crease
Remember to exercise, stretch and massage as much as you can to help healing
You tube and your team can show you how to do this and wear a well fitted bra even if you are small as the uplift helps with bruising and muscle discomfort
Fingers crossed for your follow up
Xx
2 Likes