It’s finally my surgery date tomorrow! I’m booked in for a lumpectomy and Sentinel node removal. Any advice from anybody that’s had this procedure what to expect… Tips/advice for pre and post surgery would be appreciated. Ive got to be there for 7.30am, what time was your actual surgery after you arrived and what time were you home by? What did you take with you?
Don’t know if its normal but I’m so excited to get in there for this surgery!!! Sending love to you all x
Hi @katie91
I had to be there for 7.30am too. Had some discussions with BCNs and surgeon who drew lines on my boob plus the nuclear injection thing for SLNB (not as horrible as it sounds!). I was booked for the afternoon so then it was just loads of waiting around. I was collected to get into my gown about 3pm, into theatre an hour later, dressed and having a sandwich and a cup of tea by not long after 6pm. Left for home around 7.30 as my blood pressure was a little bit low otherwise would have been gone before then. I took pyjamas but didn’t use those, face wipes, hairbrush and a toothbrush for a quick spruce up after. It was all a lot quicker and more straightforward than I had expected.
Tips are to take plenty of stuff to read/do as it can be really boring! Go outside and get some fresh air if you’re waiting for hours (if it’s not chucking down with rain!). Post surgery I would recommend getting a decent sports bra, not one of the supermarket ones, but one actually for sport, as they are often moulded and padded so feel supportive and protective plus designed to hold everything snugly in place which helps with swelling.
I hope everything goes smoothly for you tomorrow. x
Hi there,
I had this operation in March. I had to be there for 8am (nil by mouth from 11pm the night before) bur then found I was no 2 on the afternoon list so I did get a bit hangry before the op. I was still home by 8.30pm.
Tips would be to take nice slippers and a fresh clean dressing gown. You’ll feel nicer for that and I had to walk through the hospital to go for the sentinel node trace injection so was glad to have something decent. Also take stuff to read/puzzles/headphones. They gave me one of those heart cushions at the hospital but I had one anyway. I found it helpful.
Hope it goes well xx
I had the same op 4 weeks ago and concur with the above. Lots of waiting, have stuff to read, dressing gown and slippers.
I did take PJs just in case I’d need to stay in, and actually did end up putting them on to go home in as it was quite late by then. I was glad to be able to just relax on the sofa when I got home and then get into bed early, rather than getting changed again.
Afterwards do take it easy, keep on top of pain meds (take them before pain creeps up on you), and get into a routine of doing your exercises. I’d had chemo beforehand and my wounds have been slow to heal, which is normal post chemo apparently. I’ve had lots of close attention from my BCN who’s been keeping an eye on my wounds every couple of days and I’ve found that reassuring. Good luck!
I had to be there for 7am . I don’t know what instructions you have re fasting but I was allowed to drink plain water up until that point and filled a bottle and sipped it in the he car as I didn’t want to get dehydrated . They did give me a drip but the Nurse took it down as soon as I started drinking.
I was on the morning list and went to nuclear medicine around ten operation started at about eleven and finished at 11.45 . I was quite a while in Recovery - I had a bit of pain but I always feel quite sick so I had two different anti - sickness meds . Also there wasn’t a space for me at first so had to stay put in Recovery until about 2. I rang my partner to pick me up at about 4.30 - it’s a good hour drive and he got lost so it was way after 6 when I left .
I took pyjamas my medicines toilet bag dressing gown . My handbag with one card and a bit cash .Sturdy slippers are a good idea ( walked to nuclear medicine ) . There may be some waiting about so a magazine or book might be helpful - I took my ear pods as music calms me and if it’s noisy you may want to block it out. Don’t forget a charger .I messaged my friends while waiting to go in and again afterwards but didn’t encourage people to call as it’s important to get a bit of rest afterwards. I decided on a stretchy crop top and secret support vest which I pulled up my body to put on and my boob felt much better with some support - I slept in them once I got home. I put a soft jersey cardi on top that doesn’t need to be fastened and my winter coat slid over it easily. Don’t take anything that’s too fiddly .
I had had a failed procedure and a long wait for the next one so like you I was looking forward to getting it done and feeling a bit high if anything. I was much less nervous than when I had had an endometrial polyp removed a few years previously .
Wishing you all the best xx
I have my mastectomy next Tuesday and cant wait - people look at me like I am crazy but I just want to get things moving. Thanks everyone for all the tips - got my christmas button up PJs ready!
I love your energy I was exactly the same 
7.30am but I got there as they opened at 7.05am haha
At about 8.30am a breast care nurse came and got me and walked me to the breast clinic where they had to put in the guide wires for the surgeon. This was a bit dramatic, the radiologist said in her 20 years she hadnt had a boob so fiborous it was bending the guide wires. She said it was like stone. She eventually managed to force them in. I wont forget that for a while haha It was all pain free thankfully.
Back at the day surgery and I believe I was taken to surgery at about 10.30am.
It took me a while to wake up but from about 2.30pm I was awake enough to find my phone and text home.
My advice would be to get your support bra/top on as soon as you can whilst the meds are still in you. And make sure you ask them when you are allowed to take pain medication. I forgot to ask and I only had paracetamol before bed and it really was quite uncomfortable.
Wiggle you feet loads after and keep your stockings on for atleast 24 hours after.
I took with me a thin dressing gown and my slippers. Turned up in my front button pjs and left in them (my coat covered them so no one knew or cared) they made me pack toothbrush and other things I might need incase I had to stay over night. I also had a ginger tea brewing in a flask for after but I could have also done with a bottle of water as I was so thirsty.
It has gotten easier each day, less painful and more movement. And I have managed only on paracetamol but I’ve taken things very slow
Oh and if you have the blue dye injection… your pee will be blue until the next day 
No advice. Just wishing you love & luck for tomorrow x
Hope everything goes okay for you today. x
Thank you all for your lovely messages and advice! I’m here now and waiting! I’m 2nd in at 10.30am and looking forward to a brew and toast after it 
I’ll update once I’m done and fully awake 
Wishing you the best of luck. I’ve got mine on 29th. It will be over soon and you can focus on your recovery xx
Thank you all for your lovely messages today! I went down to surgery at 10.15am and was awake by 1ish and the nicest cup of tea!! Felt abit shakey afterwards but nothing major. We were very well looked after on the ward and at home now tucked up watching a Christmas film. It wasn’t half as bad as I expected, hope you’re all doing well!
Going to take some painkillers now before sleep and hopefully get a good night’s rest xx
Hiya had exactly the same… well a lymph node ‘biopsy’ and lumpectomy…
My friends dropped me off at 7am and I was home by 3pm watching Netflix….
You just need some comfy, stretchy clothes… physically it’s fine… emotionally less so but it gets better every day believe me!
I’m 61 and I had a week off work…
Try ( I know it’s REALLY tough) to be positive… no choice really
Hope you’ll be ok x
Thank you for your message I had the op yesterday and would of been home for around 3.30pm if I’d not of had to wait 2/3 hours for meds!!
All in all though it went well and I made it back home for about 6.3pm straight into bed to watch Christmas films 
it’s stinging a fair bit today but hoping that will ease over the next couple of days. I’m self employed with parties booked in over the next week December is typically my busiest month so I’ll be going to “oversee” but won’t be doing ANY lifting!!
You’re certainly right we have no other choice than to be positive do we I did wake up this morning feeling so relieved that the lump was out. I know there is still some results to come and further treatment but it’s another big step towards the finish line!
Xx
Not only your pee, i had an alergic reaction to the blue die. My whole Body was blue. I looked like a smurf
Oh wow! Hopefully that went quickly???
Took about 3 days before i looked normal again.lol. My nipple took about 6 months for the blue to disapear.
Haha the things that come up during this cancer journey are mad! Never a dull day I suppose
7:30 seems to be the time! Even when you’re last on the list lol!
I was pretty relaxed about the surgery, however good luck and hugs.
I’m 2 1/2 mths out, it’s been a journey for sure but it’s doable under the circumstances! Just focus on you!
Wishing you all the best. Much