Hello. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on Tuesday morning. Consultant said it went well and I was home early afternoon. No pain on Tuesday however have started to feel sore over yesterday and today (Friday). Had good support bra on constant since being discharged. Decided to have a shallow bath tonight just to feel (and smell) a bit better and removed my bra just before the bath. Not sure if it’s the weight of my boobs/gravity/age but the pain after I did this was excruciating. Ended up putting bra back on for the bath. Now worried I’ve caused myself some damage but also that I’ll never be able to take my bra off again. The Consultant did warn me that as my lump was at the top of my boob I may have an indent where the tissue was removed and this needs time to heal and to wear a bra night and day but I did not expect that level of pain. It was basically as my boob sagged down the way.
Those of you that have been through the same procedure, how long did the pain last? Appreciate everyone is different. And I will also take any lecture about doing too much too soon!
Oh dear Lambo….its early days yet, so try not to be discouraged by the pain it will get better.
I gather from what I’ve read, it does depend on location of the lump and how it affects your recovery. Mine was quite near the top, but more towards the arm pit. I started on coodamodal for a few days, then paracetamol. It was the pulling sensation than did it for me! But it does get better.
I slept in my bra for about 10 weeks….that probably sounds a long time, but I had to have a second op. The bra gave support and eased the pulling, which meant a better nights sleep. It was about the same time, that I was able to move onto my side.
Be careful about bathing with your stitches. I was told to shower and not get the wound too wet. It might be worth checking with a nurse about that.
Otherwise…take it easy and make the most of any help you can get. X
You’re over the worst bit now, the op is behind you and it really does settle down quickly. My lumpectomy pain was very mild, I didn’t take codeine, just paracetamol (unusual for me as I’ve a low pain threshold). I developed a seroma though (not painful just annoying) and did experience sharp stabbing pains intermittently a few days after surgery, which my BCN said was due to nerves healing which made sense.
I was also told not to have a bath or go swimming for a minimum of 2weeks and to always wear a bra to bed. One night I forgot and really noticed the difference. My boobs aren’t very big anymore, so I can see why you are in a bit more pain and discomfort. Honestly it does get better very quickly. Take it easy, and definitely reach out to your BCN if you need reassurance in the coming days.
Thanks for the replies. I asked about having a bath and the nurse said it was ok as long as it was shallow and I didn’t submerse either wound in water. After the pain needless to say the bra is staying on and it will be a quick sink wash or shower until I feel better! Not sure why I think I’m superwoman and could just go back to normal after two days (shaking head at myself…)
I had surgery on 12th November so a little ahead of you. I have two wounds. The one on the breast was ok but the one for the lymph nodes has been so painful. That’s getting better and now the breast is painful. I have tingling and electric shock type pains as the nerves heal.
As your movement comes back naturally and you forget the surgery for a second you will stretch, all healing but I found temporary painful.
I use a support bra in the day and sleep in a sport type bra. Whatever is the comfiest for you.
I also took shallow baths and my dressing stayed on until I got my results 2 weeks later.
The worst is over, it’s out but early days for healing. Use your meds for the pain until things improve. Feel better soon xx
I put a stretchy crop top over my bra by stepping into it and easing it up my body ( easier if you’re wearing leggings or PJ bottoms ) and unfastened my front fastening support bra and eased it out from underneath the top so that I still had a bit of support for washing bathing . If the crop top got a bit damp in the process then it dried again easily . Then I put a bra back on over the top and eased the top out from underneath. It sounds complicated but it wasn’t really - sometimes I just wore a crop top under the bra all the time as the material was very gentle against the skin. Hope the pain is settling down ok now xx
It’s so horrible to have pain, any time after your surgery, especially when you are least expecting it. Like you, I was more keen to have a shallow bath after my lumpectomy (21st Oct) rather than risk a shower. I couldn’t have any dressings on my incisions as I’m very allergic, so I couldn’t get myself wet in that area for at least 2 weeks.
I did use co-codamol at night for a few days to help me sleep, and wore a bra at night for about 4 weeks, as gravity made me feel sore without it. Pain settled during the first 2wks, but then came back in the form of nerve pain for a while. I had oncoplastic surgery where they rearrange the remaining breast tissue for optimal cosmetic result, so guessing that the nerves were affected by that. Even water lapping against the affected breast in the bath was painful! When I’d made sense in my head of what was happening, I worried less about it.
I hope your pain settles to be more manageable soon. This whole business is not much fun!
Well done on recovering from surgery now you will need lots of patience whilst you heal
A front fastening sports bra will help day and night and using wet wipes for boob creases and armpits is also good
I was given a heart shaped pillow fir under my arm and it was a godsend
Using a warm hot water bottle or heat bean bag ( the small ones you can out in the microwave) can help with pain relief too
Please make sure you are doing the arm exercises they may hurt or stretch you but keep going as if you’re going to have radiotherapy it helps to get your arms over your head for that later on
The pain is likely to be a mix of nerves, boob tissue and healing, all perfectly normal given the hole left behind but its also easy to develop swelling, a seroma ( a pocket of fluid and/ or blood) so if you are worried get yourself in front of your team
Take pain relief and ask about extra if its really hurting and to ensure theres no underlying infection
