Hi all. Random practical question. Did you shave your armpit before lumpectomy/SN removal? I am guessing they may do at hospital?! Is it recommended not to in case you nick the skin? My op is next Tues. Thank you xxx
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Hello @blue80
I don’t think I heard any advice not to and I’d suggest you probably do it beforehand. Personally my incision was below where hair grows (so no need for them to shave) and it will be difficult for you do it post operation as you will have dressings and limited shoulder movement in the early days.
You may have heard that after having lymph nodes removed you are at greater risk of developing lymphoedema which can occur if you develop any kind of infection and care should be taken to avoid the risk of cuts (so wearing gardening gloves not having injections or bloods taken from that arm) so you may want consider other hair removal methods post operation
Good luck with your operation on Tuesday
AM xxx
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Thanks for replying. I have just bought myself an electric ladyshave so hoping that will help with longer term to try and avoid cellulitis/lymphodema x
My mastectomy with slnb was 4 weeks ago. My pre op instructions was to use hair removal cream or wax under arm 1 to 2 days before op, but not to shave.
There has also been a thread on here around September discussing deodorants, if you haven’t already seen it x
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I did a wet shave with a good quality dispo razor about 48 hours prior to surgery to give any nicks time to heal though beforehand though I didn’t see or feel any. If you can leave a gap between shaving and applying deo that helps to prevent irritation and if I remember rightly you aren’t supposed to go into surgery with deo on.
I think I bought the wrong electric shaver or maybe I’m just useless with it . It’s great for my legs but I’ve made a mess of my pits with it every time I’ve tried. Last time there were no nicks but red and sore - I ended up putting alcohol gel on 
to stop any infection getting in.
I’ve gone back to my dispo but luckily I don’t need to shave very often these days. I’m wondering whether to give cream a go .
Best of luck with everything Newbie
Joanne. X
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I was always told to wax rather than shave ,doesn’t come back so spiky.
Hope it goes well for you
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They recommended electric shaving or cream post - surgery . I don’t think waxing was recommended at any point but I’m assuming you would need to get this done professionally - have you tried it ?
I get my legs waxed periodically but not tried my pits .
Joanne
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Yes always have mine waxed you don’t get the stubble.
One day no deodorant takes minutes.