Recovery time from operation

Ask our Nurses your questions
1

Hello,

I am due to have my operation on 14th June. I am having the lump removed and the breast adjusted to make up the space left by the lump being removed - sorry, is it therapeutic mammoplasty? I’m only having the one side done first and then later I will have the other adjusted to match. At the meeting, I was in a daze and I just remember than saying that I need someone there for 24 hours when discharged. This is totally fine, but I can’t remember if they said how long it would take for me to heal. They mentioned something about heavy lifting or it’s all a blur…

I’m keeping myself at home this week to avoid coughs and colds but after the operation it would be nice to see a friend and go out for a meal. I just need something to look forward to. So, I wondered how long it will take until I am up about and able to leave the house etc.

Any help appreciated. Thanks

2

Hi

I had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal for checking

Was a bit sore but not as much as I expected and was pretty much ok after the first couple of weeks . They say no heavy lifting and also do the exercises

Good luck x

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3

Hi boobtube1 ,

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4

Thank you, that sounds very good. I can cope with that. No heavy lifting sounds good, my partner can hoover lol!

Thank you :slight_smile: xx

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No worries, thank you Lisa

6

My husband is still hoovering 10 weeks later​:shushing_face:

As @sweetpea1 said no heavy lifting. One thing to factor in is your ability to drive and whether you seatbelt will press on your wound. Mine was on my left and we have an automatic so I could safely drive after about a week.

Healing varies for everyone but I was going out after about a week. I recommend round the clock paracetamol and ibuprofen (if you can) for the first week definitely before bed so you get some quality sleep. Daily afternoon naps help healing too and I slept in a soft bra with my soft 1” Pilates pillow under the operation side to support it a bit.

The expectation was 6 weeks for proper wound healing when it came to guidance for using deodorant, creams etc. but I was out and about.

7

Thanks @bluetit11 - that makes me feel much better :dizzy:

I live alone but have a partner, so he’s coming to stay for a bit, though cleaning is not his specialism, he will need to get on it. I’m a bit of a clean freak so I’ll need to rope a few other people in too else I’ll be cleaning all the time I can just tell.

I do drive and I’ve already noticed the seatbelt rubs on the lump a bit, so I get you. I’ll definitely be taking paracetamol and ibuprofen, no problem there, and afternoon naps don’t sound too bad either. Pillow is a good idea too, thanks. They’ve asked me to get this post surgery bra which looks very intense, a softer one might be more comfortable. Deodorant I might struggle without especially if it gets warm.

I’ve stayed in a lot recently, scared of getting ill and having the op postponed so I’ll be desperate to get out and see people. It looks like it’s cheering up weather wise in a few weeks so I’m hoping to have a chat with people in the garden at least. Thank you so much xx

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8

I got the M&S post surgery sports bra and it was very good at stopping things jiggling (I’m a 38DD) which I’m sure helped but I got a thin cotton sloggi one to sleep in.

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9

As for deodorant I washed my pits carefully with an anti bacterial soap twice a day and was assured that kept the smell away.

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10

Hey @boobtube1

This is obviously going to vary from person to person but after my lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy, I started to feel a noticeable improvement in just under a week. I could tell I was feeling better because I was starting to get annoyed at the dressing, the compression stockings, the fact that I couldn’t wash properly and the back sleeping! I had my surgery a week before Christmas and was able to go for Christmas Day with the family with no issues at all.

A lot of it is trial and error and your body will definitely tell you if you need to stop, slow down or do something differently to how to normally would so my main piece of advice is just to listen to it.

I hope your surgery goes really well and feel free to fire away with any questions in the meantime. x

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11

Hi @bluetit11

Thanks for the antibacterial tip. It’s going to be 25 degrees when I come out so I’ll need something. Bra has arrived. Huge but looks comfy. I’ll get myself a comfy one to sleep in.

Xx

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12

Hi @mssteel

Thank you, that gives me some hope. It’s nice to know you had Christmas with your family. I will make myself listen to my body, I know what I am like, I’ll be tidying and washing up if left to my own devices, but I need to just to relax and watch TV.

I guess you just want to be up and about as quick as possible don’t you. I miss seeing people as I’m being very careful and not going out pre surgery. Probably a bit over the top but I would hate for it to be cancelled.

Thank you for responding, it really helps xx

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13

I completely understand that fear of something getting in the way of the surgery. Two weeks before my surgery I was at A&E with moderate UTI symptoms and because I tested negative for infection, they wouldn’t treat it with antibiotics. I was absolutely terrified this would impact the surgery, especially when I was still suffering 5 days later. I went to the GP, who wouldn’t treat it either so after finishing a total emotional meltdown, I went and just ordered some from the pharmacy and it thankfully cleared up within a couple of days of taking them.

I’m also one of those people who likes to busy about and was worried about how I was going to get things done, doing too much etc., but to be fair, the pain relief I took for the first few days made it very easy to relax. :wink:

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14

Yes, it’s very scary to think you might not be able to have it. It’s not overly dramatic to say my life depends upon it.

Glad you got the antibiotics in the end, it’s so hard when people don’t help you. A UTI is the last thing you needed in that moment.

I’m trying to get everything done before next Sunday so I can rest easy knowing the house is clean etc. I’m sure the pain relief will aid me to relax and the fact I feel I have not slept for weeks.

Hoping they’ll be a little time between the surgery and the next treatment, (never sure whether that’s chemo or radiotherapy), to get the house cleaned again and maybe enjoy some nice times Xx

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15

Hello boobtube1,

Thank you for your post asking about your recovery from surgery. Hospital appointments can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re being given a lot of information.

You are right in saying you will need someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours after your surgery due to the anaesthetic and it sounds like you are having a therapeutic mammoplasty. You should contact your treatment team for more information about your surgery and what to expect.

As @bluetit11 and mssteel have said recovery after breast surgery and wound healing can vary from person to person. Most people can look after themselves by the morning after the operation. It can help to take things gently at first and you can try to do a little more physical activity each day. Try not to set yourself enormous tasks and remember to rest between them as @bluetit11 has said. Your body needs time and energy to recover.

You’ll usually be advised not to lift or carry anything heavy until your wounds have fully healed.

You should be able to return to most of your normal activities within a few weeks of your surgery, although it can take 6 to 8 weeks for your wounds to heal completely. However, this does not mean you need to stay in the house and when you feel up to it you could plan to meet a friend and go for a meal.

Eating well will also help your body recover and your wound to heal.

Your treatment team will usually offer advice on when to return to driving. You need to feel comfortable and safe to do so, as well as being confident that you’re able to drive normally.

Our booklet Your operation and recovery will give you more information about what to expect after your surgery.

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Rosey

Breast Care Nurse

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