- Hello all, so im now booked in for the first stage of my cancer treatment on 12th March for a lumpectomy and biopsies on my lymph nodes. I was also told most of my nipple will be gone. I was just after some advice really on what to expect and how you all coped before and after your operation. Is there anything you can suggest I may need to help with my recovery. I’ve read all the leaflets they have given me but I wanted to hear from people who have actually been though it themselves. Thanks Sarah xxx
Hi Sarah - I had a lumpectomy 10 days ago . I had to take it easy for a few days but feeling much better 10 days in…… there is no right or wrong way , we all deal with diagnoses/ surgery/ treatment as best we can . All I can advise is to take one day/one treatment / one stage at a time . You will get there , the support of the ladies ( and gents ) here will help you through the maze . We have got this ! Much love x
1 Like
Make sure you have Paracetamol and Ibuprofen ( if you can take it ) at home . Clothes that button / down fasten at the front or are loose and easy to get in and out of are good. I wore a crop top with an extra dressing just laid over the original one in case of leakage - the top kept it in position and an old secret support vest over that for 48 hours then moved into the post- op bras I had bought in advance. I tend to bleed / bruise easily so I felt it was important to have lots of support and sometimes had a bra and crop top on - that may be just me but I never bled or got a seroma. Usually you get some post - op calls from the BCN and you can ring them if you’re worried.
Don’t try to overdo it the first few days rest - have little walks out to build up your strength if you can but if you only feel up to being inside then keep getting up and walking about a bit to keep your circulation working and do the post - op exercises that you are allowed to do. You may feel a bit wobbly for a day or two so make sure you drink plenty of water . Have snacks available in case you don’t fancy a full meal - toast , biscuits , soup etc.
Hair washing can be awkward or uncomfortable - my friend treated herself to a cut and blow dry 3 or 4 days after surgery .
Hope it goes well xx
Hi @sarahjaneavfc. I found lumpectomy and slnb very straightforward and I recovered well physically. I was given codeine in a high dose but I didnt use them. I had a heated blanket which was very soothing to snuggle under for netflix time and i dozed a fair bit for the first few days. I’d say that what helped me was just rest and a short daily walk to the school and back to get kids. I had a non wired front zip bra too. Dont try and do too much and take it easy. I’m sure it will go well. Good luck x
Dear Sarah
I would echo what others have already said, taking it easy for the days before and after your operation, wearing loose fitting clothes where you can put these on easily and they do at at the front, including a front fastening bra or bra tops. I also didn’t wash my hair but used instead dry shampoo. Also used small pillows to keep comfortable in bed and short walks around my estate after the operation to keep mobile. Wishing you all the best x
Alison
1 Like
Definitely a small cushion for under the arm
Xx
2 Likes
Thankyou so much for your advice 
Thankyou xxx
Thankyou so much for your advice
Hi Sarah you will be surprised it’s not as painful as you think , I agree with everyone else take it easy , I had heart shaped pillow I used under my arm which helped
My husband washed my hair over sink I put a pillow on my chest as padding , loose blouses and a support crop top or front fasting bra is easy to get on and off
I wish you well x
1 Like
Thankyou so much for your advice
1 Like
Thankyou, better get my Husband in training
3 Likes
I was told I could have a shower from day 1. They put waterproof dressings on. So I just showered as normal. I think some people are told not to shower or bath. It depends on type of stitches used or dressings applied. If you’re having the isotope and blue dye, then your breast will be blue for a few days. When i looked at my breast after wards, I was a bit alarmed, but the blue dye and any swelling faded and it looked pretty normal after the dressings came off.
2 Likes
Hey,
I had my lumpectomy 20th December last year, I just had a really quiet crimbo, you just need to recover, so lots of peace and quiet and do nothing, no housework, no lifting etc but I’m sure the surgeon or oncologist will explain the do’s and donT’s, or if still worried speak to a McMillan nurse, they helped me a lot through my cancer journey.
Mine wasn’t as bad as I imagined it would be,and I was well looked after.
So I wish you much luck…you will be fine.x
1 Like