I was wondering if people could tell me how their experience was of their lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy and their down time after it/recovery time. Also, what would you recommend for me to buy in preparation for it? (Will I need a different pillow etc?)
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Hi there, my personal experience was that it took a few days to feel back to normal. Some people need 2 to 3 weeks though. They will give you a sick note for 2 weeks after surgery for your employer if you work. I didn’t buy a special pillow or bra. Used a normal pillow for resting under arm and a front fastening sports bra. Avoid underwires. To be honest the reality was nowhere near as bad I’d imagined and i had very little discomfort. I know others on here may have different experiences but if you do the exercises they give you, you should recover well. There can be issues like seromas and stiffness - just call your nurse if you have any concerns and they will help you. Good luck. When is your op? X
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Thanks for that info 
my op isn’t for 6 weeks but just starting to think past chemo and wonder about the surgery side of things! I don’t feel like I’ve seen much chat about lumpectomies so thought I’d ask to try suss it out as I don’t have much info at this stage and it’s good to get other people’s real life experiences too!
Hi, it takes a couple of days to get over the anaesthetic. I suffered a bit of pain from where the lymph nodes were removed, but kept taking the painkillers they provided. I would say I stopped taking them regularly within a week or so. As my surgery was on the left, I was unable to drive for around 2 weeks as I could not change gear or use handbrake without saying ‘ouch’. After a year, I still get tenderness If I do heavy lifting. I would recommend an extra pillow to rest your bad arm on. I sleep on my side and found it more comfortable with extra support. Also recommend buttoned tops for the first few days at least. Ensure you do the exercises. It might seem daunting and difficult at first, but they do get easier and do help. On saying that, get plenty rest as well. Take care and best wishes x
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The lumpectomy and SNL biopsy was the first surgery I’d ever had. My only issue was with the anaesthetic and/or some liquid morphine that they squirted in my mouth in the recovery room. I was vomiting for 24 hours after that. The anaesthetist phoned me the next morning to check how I was and I mentioned the 
and he suggested if I ever have another surgery to mention it to the anaesthetist and there are anti-emetics they can put in the mix. Having said that, they sent me home with a load of codeine tablets and I didn’t take one. No pain at all at any stage. I wore a bra in bed every night for support until I saw the surgeon for results. I couldn’t bear underwired for a long time after. The MOST important thing is the exercises that they give you - they’re not strenuous but are important. A nurse at the GP surgery changed the dressing 3 days later and declared all was well. My scar is neat and I am grateful for having had such a successful operation for my first ever. I wish you the same.
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Hi belle1
Same as other have said I was tired and uncomfortable for a day or two. Could have worked after a couple of days (home based desk job) but was off work for two weeks as had a sick note for that time and my boss insisted I take it. Only painful part was after nearly a week I think I did too much and a swelling moved to under my arm which was horrible so don’t try and do too much too soon like I did! Driving after 10 days, also gentle gym and jogging 2 weeks, running after about 2.5 weeks. Did have a haematoma at 3.5 weeks which had to be drained by needle (quick and painless) and some antibiotics but other than that all quite straightforward. By the time I went for results after 4 weeks I was back doing strength/weight training, wearing my usual underwire bras and feeling as if it had never happened. I consider myself very fortunate.
Only things I bought were a couple of front fastening bras (useless, only really good for sleeping, better to use a proper sports bra than the supermarket ones in my opinion) and some brilliant crop tops from Primark I still wear now (invisible, seamless ones £8, size up!).
Hope everything goes okay for you. x
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Hi Belle1,
I had a lumpectomy with Auxillary Node clearance so slightly different but the lumpectomy part of my surgery was honestly a breeze! I felt a bit sick after the anaesthetic and tired but once I left the hospital I didn’t really need any painkillers for the lumpectomy part.
I found PJs that button in the front and a crop top bra that buttoned in the front very handy (M and S I think). Lived in these for a good few weeks from what I remember. Honestly don’t be worrying it was a lot easier than I expected. Just keep a wee eye on your wound I had a stubborn bit of an internal stitch that was meant to dissolve but kept making its way to the surface. It was causing issues but my GP got it out for me and put me on antibiotics just in case. As soon as we got rid of that stitch I was flying- healed up really quickly. Probably won’t happen to you but just thought I would mention as if we hadn’t dealt with that stitch do think it would have caused me issues/led to more scarring!
Hope all goes well 
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