Hi, bluetit11, hope you are well. I feel I have turned a corner regarding the burning and pain, which is much more manageable. The rash is calming down. The only thing I’m experiencing is hot flushes which come out of nowhere, and my nerves throughout my body feel like their tremoring and awful tension headache, which I think is my anxiety x
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Glad to hear things are improving. Keep with full time paracetamol and ibuprofen until you don’t need them. Hot flushes might be hormonal if you become off HRT or are on anti oestrogen tablets x
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I realize this is from a while ago, but I’m curious about how everyone’s long-term recovery experiences have been after surgery. For those who’ve had the surgery, what helped you the most during the healing process? Any advice for someone gearing up for their own surgery soon? Let’s share some tips and support for anyone who might need it.
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Hopefully you’ll get a range of replies as there’s a range of surgeries but here’s mine.
For a lumpectomy (WLE) with a sentinel node biopsy in the same wound. It was day surgery. I’m a 38DD for reference.
Lots of rest. Plan a nap every day as sleep helps healing and your overnight sleep may be disrupted. Lots of sitting too.
Painkillers. I had no hospital prescription. Take both paracetamol and ibuprofen if you can as per the maximum packet instructions for the first week. Then see what you need. Don’t wait until you’re really sore. Make ibuprofen a bedtime dose as it lasts longer and try to overlap the 2 so you’re only without pain relief when you wake up.
Sitting up I popped a cushion under that elbow to stop my arm resting on the wound and let air circulate. Laying down I popped my 1” soft yoga pillow under that breast for a bit of support.
M&S post surgery sports bra by day and a cotton Sloggi one as a sleep bra. I have a Mr Bump cool pack (fridge temperature don’t use ice packs!) which was soothing to pop in my bra. A wet washcloth in a ziplock bag kept in the fridge would do the same job.
Bathed as per my instructions. No heavy lifting until check up. Mine was 7 weeks after surgery.
Drink lots to flush though anaesthetic and any waste products from healing.
I’m retired so could take it at my own pace but don’t expect to be up to full speed for a few weeks. You’re being professionally stabbed under anaesthetic and your body needs time and energy to heal.
I hope that helps.