Hi Saffronseed
I think (but am not 100%) that a drain is used depending on the size & location of the lumpectomy. I had mine taken from under my breast and did not have a drain, nor at the site of the sentinel node dissection. All I had were large dressings which I was told to remove after 48 hours. I did this but felt the wounds still needed protecting so it is good to have a stock of large adhesive dressings (e.g. Mepore 11x15cm from Boots) to hand at home. Some one else might know when drains are used - but the nurse/docs should tell you at the hosp what to expect after the surgery.
Good luck
Cheers
Maggy
My understanding is that you only need a drain if you have axillary node clearance and/or a mastectomy. If you have both, you will have two drains. I had a SNB, which they were able to test during surgery. As it was clear, they did not remove any more nodes and so I had no drain. That was my first question when I came round after the op, whether or not I had a drain.
I did not have to use special toilets after the radioisotope injection or wear a warning tag. In fact, no-one said I would be a danger to anyone else.
Ann x
Hi,
I had a lumpectomy and SNB at the same time. They found it was a very simple structure with just one very obvious lymph node crackling and flashing bright blue so they only took that one out.No further surgery needed. So my underarm scar is weeny, under an inch but I had one long drain in and carried a bottle around with me until loss went down, nurse visited me at home each day. It was no problem just a pest carrying the bottle round everywhere. My Grandson called it Andrew and wanted his picture taken with the drain bottle! I was scared having it out so delighted to not feel it at all. Maybe it depends on the surgeon but I had no bruising so guess the drain saved me that.I have just had a letter for a 2 year routine bone scan and the letter says it is a risk to others for 3 days if you have a urine or blood test. I will not be able to see/cuddle my Grandson for 24 hours after it.Everyone here has the radioactive tracer the day before their op. Just wanted to wish you luck and that they get clear margins first go and that the pathology results are as good as they can be given we have this crappy disease
Good luck everyone
Lily x
Lily
It seems unusual to have a drain if you only had the sentinel node removed. I was told it would not be necessary because there are still plenty of nodes for the lymphatic fluid to drain into.
Ann x
Hi, I had this injection the day before my op, then went back following day for the photo´s early morning then op around 10am it´s a breeze, Lay back and think of England as us girls say!!!
Luv Teresa xxx
Hi
I had a lumpectomy and snb in Oct, I had the radioactive injection aprox three hours before my operation. I didn t find the injection painfull it just stung a little, but 12 weeks on I still have a blue tinge around the nipple.
Good Luck the waiting is the worst.
Wendy xx
Hi
Ann I have no explanation at all as I just assumed everyone had a drain. My surgeon was Austrian so maybe they do things differently. I hear in France lipofil is not allowed but here they are doing it routinely. The only other thing different was that the surgeon told me a famous doctor was watching my op (heaven knows why maybe I got a trainee eeek!)and he made the decisions about just one node. Wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall?
Take care
Lily x
HI,
Have been reading different experiences. I am a few days ahea of you having had my lumpectomy on 2/2/10. I did have the isotope injection for snb the day before. I did have blue wee but no blue boob. I did have a drain. I have two wounds, one for the lump above my nipple and one close to my armpit for the nodes. I am currently awaiting my results to see if bc is in nodes. I am very bruised and very sore. Drain came out about 12 hours after surgery and i went home. i had to visit my gp surgery yesterday to have dressings changed and will go back next wednesday (10th) to have staples out.
I, like you, am very confused, frightened and naive about the whole thing at the moment. We can only take it one step at a time, but maybe, as we seem to be going through exactly the same, we could keep in touch. Thanks also to all those who are well down the path for giving us the benefit of their experience.
Hi fourdogs, I have sent you a personal note.
There’s a bit about the dye and drains in the booklet I was given after my diagnosis. It’s how I found out about this site. You can download the whole text from this site at breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/bcc08_treating_final2.pdf
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From page 17:
Sentinel node biopsy is a relatively new way of detecting whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and is a form of sampling. It involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material and a dye
that identifies the first - or ‘sentinel’ - node to receive lymph fluid from the tumour. If this sentinel node is clear it usually means that the other nodes are clear too. This means that removal of
most of the lymph nodes under the arm may be avoided for those people whose nodes are clear.
From pages 20-21:
Everyone reacts differently to surgery but most people recover well
with few major side effects.
You will be likely to have wound drains inserted during the
operation. These are tubes that drain blood and fluid from the wound
into a bottle. These drains will stay in for a few days after surgery
and will then be removed by a nurse. You can walk around and move
quite normally with the drains in. Some patients are able to go
home with their drains in and return each day to have them checked.
In some hospitals day case breast surgery may be offered ? this
means you may be able to have your surgery and go home the same
day. This will depend on whether it is available in your area,
your general health and the type of surgery you are having.
Some people may experience pins and needles, burning, numbness
or darting sensations in the breast area and down the arm on
the operated side. These symptoms are quite common and may go
on for a few weeks or even months. The scar may feel tight and
tender. If you have had breast-conserving surgery you may find it
more comfortable to wear a supportive bra, even in bed at night ?
though if you are more comfortable without a bra that is fine too.
Your arm and shoulder on the operated side are likely to feel
stiff and sore for some weeks. Your breast care nurse, surgeon or
physiotherapist will give you advice about exercises to help you
regain full movement. Exercise is an important part of the healing
process, which you should continue after you go home. If doing the
exercises is uncomfortable you may find taking painkillers before
doing them can help. If you have radiotherapy it is important to
continue these exercises, probably for at least two years, and many
physiotherapists would advise carrying on with them permanently.
Other normal effects following surgery include experiencing some pain
or discomfort and bruising or swelling around the operation site.
===
I hope this helps.
Paola