Hey ladies I am scheduled to have WLE with GA and I don’t know what the heck to expect? Can anyone help?
Is there anything I should bring or what should I do after the surgery for care purposes?
Btw- It is going to be a outpatient surgery. Nothing overnight, thank God
Any advice or suggestions??
icare
Hi Icare
I had WLE as day patient I took pair of PJ’s and a dressing gown and pair of slippers and a book!!!
They will give you a lovely pair of support socks to wear very attractive! NOT !
I actually dont think got to wear PJ’s looking back they give you a delightful gown to wear so defo take dressing gown
I went to surgery about half one got back about half three and went home at five it was not too bad little pain and they gave me pain killers for that. I would suggest you buy a comfy sports type of bra to wear after a lot of pepole found them comfy to sleep in I am not that well endowed so I found I could sleep without but I wore it for a few days after as underwired were very uncomfortable. I had dressings on both cuts and had to leave them on till went back for results but one fell off in shower and when phoned the breast clinic was told it was fine to leave it uncovered. My scars are really neat and healed very well.
Good Luck with your op hope I was of some help
Hi icare, i had a WLE & node sampling 3 weeks ago. I did have to stay in overnight even though it was meant to be a day case but that was only because me & general anaesthetics don’t get on, i just needed to sleep off the nausea & dizziness. U’ll probaby be fine but i would go prepared to stay in just in case.
I took in a dressing gown as i didn’t want my backside hanging out of those gorgeous hospital gowns they make u wear. A book to read while ur waiting, slippers, pkt of mints, bottle of water, can’t think of anything else at the mo.
U’ll be checked into the ward by the nurses, the surgeon will come & have a chat, so will the anaesthetist, good time to tell him if u have any GA probs. I had no problem with the op, it went well, wasn’t in pain at all. When u go home u may have drains in if they take nodes although i didn’t. The wound on my boob didn’t really hurt but the one under my arm was quite sore,my BCN murse gave a little heart shaped pillow for under my arm which was a godsend. Make sure u do the exercises ur BCN gives u if u have node sampling. My wounds are healing nicely & look very neat which im pleased about.Good luck with the op, let us know how it goes.
love Heather x
Hey Tb you were very helpful… I just love to hear from people with experiences instead of someone just talking and haven’t been thru NOTHING! My surgeon told me that the procedure will take take maybe a 1hr and a half the most. Did you have a port and if so was it removed when you had the WLE??
I’m sooo sorry that I am so curious!
Awww thanx Heather! I am having node sampling even though they haven’t felt any it’s just she wants to be sure. You guys are making me feel better already. When I had my port installed I didn’t have any problems from the anesthesia. She gave me the amnesia anesthesia and I still don’t remember too much of nothing.
Is it safe to do any lifting or straning? How long did you guys stay in after surgey before you started going places?
Yep node sampling is standard so thought u might be having it done. Another thing just to mention is that they do have to go through nerves to take the nodes so when u get home ur arm may feel numb at the top & also feels a bit like it’'s sunburnt,tender to the touch, nothing too bad but just so u know that’s normal. U will have bright blue wee as well,lol. I would have been freaked out if i wasn’t told that beforehand cos when i say blue, i mean blue!
I would be very careful of lifting too much, with node removal ur at risk of developing lymphoedema so u have to be careful. Ur BCN should have given u booklets re this. I went out about 3 days after op just for a walk, i felt ok apart from sore/stiff arm & a bit tired, still had 2 weeks off work though,lol.
I’ve never heard of amnesia anesthesia?? Did u have chemo before the op?
Heather x
Yeah I had chemo first. I had my last cycle of chemo on July 5th. Did you have to get any pre-testing before the op? I have to get a chest x-ray blood work and ekg.
definately, unless you are quite flat chested get a good sports bra with seperate cups. get it bigger in the back than your normal size in case you swell, or just to be more compfy in bed.
As to lifting afterwards, it does take a week or so for you to get full strenght and movemoent afterwards.
Think about driving too, on some insurances you are not covered until the doctor gives you the full clear. Depending on where the scar is the seat belt can hurt. i started two weeks after the op, but it took two days to use both arms on the steering wheel, and i could not use my left hand for the indicators, which was a bit of a shock cos i had good movement, but no real strenght
Thanks a lot everyone… I feel sooo much better knowing that other people have been thru what I am about to experience and had a great outcome. You guys are simply the best. Honestly I was a lil nervous because I didn’t know what to expect from this op.
Well sounds like I will be well enough to go out of town for the Labor Day weekend! YAY…
Hi Icare
I was out and about after about 3 days but not doing anything too strenuous The hospital may give you exercises to help with keeping movement as well. But if you have gone through chemo this will be a doddle!! I am doing mine the other way round just coming to end of chemo and rads and the op and recovery was like a walk in the park compared to this!!!
I didn’t have a port?? but my veins are like hose pipes apparently lol!
Best Wishes will be thinking of you on the 10th but I am sure you will be fine
Jill x x
Hi Icare,
I was worried, just as you were, as to what to expect. I found some very useful advice on here too! I packed as if I was going to be staying in overnight - socks, pj’s, drinks, snacks etc but didn’t take the dressing gown in (hubby has instructions to bring that in if I was staying in overnight!) I would recommend that you take a dressing gown with you!
I had a WLE and Sentinal Node Biopsy on Wedneday. My biggest fear was that I would react to the general but I’m pleased to report I didn’t and was home by 2pm. Luckily, I only have a scar under my armpit and a little bruising to my boob and my underarm. I am doing the exercises as given by the BCNs and am doing well. I think I have only had 3 sets of tablets since coming home and have hit the codine on the head (I get constipated at the best of times, so don’t need any more hassle thank you!!)
If there is anything you need - just shout … it seems I will be attached to the laptop for some time whilst I’m on recuperation!!
Kind Regards
Anne
hi icare, take a dressing gown, or you will be a member of the bums on show gang, the gowns they give you open at the back, take some magazines or a book, and some socks, my feet were freezing when i came round , i 2 had a WLE and sentinal node biopsy, under my arm was a bit sore after for a few days, practice the exercises as soon as you wake up, the ward will give you these, oh you will need slippers as well, i took some baby wipes, just to freshen you up a bit, try not to worry too much about the surgery, its ok not as bad as i expected, your quite sore afterwards, but not agony, before you know it your back on the ward drinking luke warm tea, and eating ya sandwiches, angie xx
Thanks sooo much ladies… The advice is so helpful and hear you guys tell me its going to be ok makes me feel so much better. I wasn’t fearful about the surgery I had for the port but for some odd reason I got kinda shaken up by this one. I think what made me fearful what knowing I will be put to sleep with GA! I’ll be fine because you ladies are so ENCOURAGING! I LOVE IT!
Listening to all of your stories is encouraging… I’m glad to know everyone’s surgery was a success and I know mines will be too… I LOVE YALL SOOO MUCH
icare
Hey ladies… I just had my wle about an hr ago. It went well. So much than I expected. I also had a snb but came back negative! YAY! I am totally grateful and I’m super glad its over
Welcome back, icare11, and now you should be going to bed to have a good night’s sleep and lots of rest! Don’t worry if you get a bit weepy in the next couple of days, general anaesthetic tends to do that to people.
FANTASTIC about the nodes, isn’t it brilliant that they can test them so quickly.
had it an hour ago and back on the net—brilliant!!
snb negative—double brilliant!!
look after yourself and all speed for a great recovery
So pleased that is over for you great news the snb was negative. Take good care of you
Mekala x
Thanks ladies! I am so glad that its all over. I had my port removed also. I didn’t get any exercises to do. Thought I was supposed to. They gave Norco for pain and that works wonders! I didn’t know the results from the snb comes back so fast. It was quick but negative.
Ask them to give you an exercise sheet AND demonstrate how to do them. Sometimes they’re too busy and forget. It’s so important to do the exercises so you don’t lose mobility.
Also what are some good tips on taking care of myself now?