After a lumpectomy and lymph removal. Can I ask people if they would share their top 5 tips which helped them?
I live on my own so I am thinking get some healthy ready meals M&S someone said have meals suitable for people with Diabetes type 2. I am really not sure how difficult it is going to be, dressing, washing myself, dishes, how long before I feel more able to do every day things. I know I can’t drive for 2 weeks after and not lift anything heavy for several days.
So I would very much appreciate what people thought were the most important things to have to hand.
Food.
Clothing
Medicines
Healing Creams
etc.
What did people feel able to do the first few days after the op?
Many thanks for any advice offered.
Best wishes to all.
My post op Wednesday, the op is a week on Wednesday.
Oh yes the wire inserted on day of op anyone familiar with that experience? I expect my body will be in shock for 2-3 days after and in great need of nurturing.
I can’t help with lymph removal advice but I had a lumpectomy back in March (I had approx. half of my breast removed, plus a major duct excision)
After the surgery, I found I recovered from the anaesthetic quite quickly and was able to return home the same day. I found I was able to do basic tasks, easy cooking, showering, dressing etc the next day, but I got tired very quickly (this happened for 2-3 weeks or so) Because you live alone, I think preparing/buying meals before hand is a really great idea. I’d also get plenty of juice and fruit (nice healthy snacks that promote healing)
I bought a really soft bra with no cup seams that helped support my surgery breast. I also found I preferred loose fitting clothes because I couldn’t tolerate anything compressing my breast. I sleep on my side and found tucking a soft teddy bear between my boobs helped support my sore breast!
I think my best investment was a high absorbency towel (doesn’t need to be huge or fancy - mine was about half the size of a tea towel!) I found it was perfect for drying my scar, nipple and sore breast after showering (I could just place it gently over the scar and it instantly absorbed all the water without the need for rubbing or patting)
Regarding healing creams - I was advised not to use any creams on my scar for at least 6 weeks. For showering I bought liquid Castile soap which is super gentle and 100% natural.
I also tried to get my laundry out of the way before the surgery, so I wouldn’t run out of anything I needed for a couple of weeks (and I changed my bedding the night before in case I wasn’t up to it for a while!)
In hindsight, I think the most important thing is to really look after yourself (not just physically, but emotionally) Stock up on the things that comfort you the most (favourite treats, films, books etc etc) Anything that makes you feel good. Breast surgery is tough so you need to balance with lots of things that bring you comfort and pleasure.
Hi Astra, I had lumpectony and sentinal lymph nodes removed. Like you live alone and wondered what I was facing post op. Found I was far more capable than I had expected, but bear in mind they may not explain the risk of lympodema to you until discharge from op, so no straining, cutting yourself or bruising. It’s common sense really, you need to rest and go easy. Agree a good idea is change bed before you go into Hosp, wrestling with duvet cover change would be too much for you. Food - I have found I have odd cravings now and ‘off’ things I used to like, so variety. No car is a nuisance - I was forbidden driving for 6 weeks, so did have willing people lined up to help with shopping, fresh milk etc; you won’t probably be up to walking to /from shops for a week. Stock up on pet food if applies. I slept loads so not bored, but plenty of books stocked up and went through the lot. They say not to use creams etc on wound, but once it looked OK I gently applied savlon cream every night which I found soothing. Agree you may feel need to support the breast, partly for comfort, partly I think its a physiological response. Asda sell stretchy crop top bras, no seams or wires, packs of 2, and they were my saviour as very soft and I just put lint between them and wounds. Slept in them too. Wet wipes! With no deodorant allowed, you may find very handy to have plenty in stock. Best of luck.
My tip is to keep as active as you can, both prior to the op and as soon as you feel able afterwards. The fitter you are the more able your body is to recover quickly. I did lots of walking in the week before my surgery, but do whatever suits you according to your own level of health and general fitness. I was more or less back to normal the day after surgery (which was in May) and did not have any problems with arm movement. I am now going through radiotherapy and again trying to keep really active. It seems to be working as I have not suffered from fatigue or any other side effects. (Just for background, I am 66 with no other medical problems)
I had my op last Monday and I was extremely shocked at how well I actually felt afterwards. I was very sleepy though and slept the first 3 days. I’m a little sore but have been able to get dressed easily, take a shower and do my hair (of a fashion). Lifting pans and the kettle has been difficult but I had prepared meals and put in the freezer. I have managed a trip to my local shop today, washed dishes and done some laundry. Hope you’re okay x
I’ve had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy three weeks ago. Things that might help:
·Frozen meals - even if you can, you may not feel like cooking.
·Get food delivered rather than going out to shop.
·Say yes to every offer of help.
·Lots of comfy bras, for day and night. My DH had to do a couple of mercy dashes to Asda to buy more bras, haha! I was washing them everyday as it was a hot spell after my op and I was feeling rather a sweaty betty! They do seamless ones that you can step into and pull up, no fastening. Even a very pretty lacy one which made me feel feminine when I was feeling anything but. M&S also do comfy non wired bras and I got a couple of front fastening sports bras from Amazon.
·Tops that fasten up the front, such as shirts, blouses. Asda to the rescue again! You will not want to try manoeuvring into t shirts to begin with.
I found Boots own scar reduction serum helped afterwards, can barely see op scar now (2 years post op in February) didnt use until wound site healed but every day after that until redness disappeared it was a psychological thing for me partly, the need to take control of my healing i guess, hope sll goes well xx
I live alone. I am supported by my partner who comes down for my appointments and stays a couple of days.
We stocked up on food prior to surgery. Easy stuff, ready meals, healthy snacks and drinks. Bulk buys on fresh foods that you can freeze in single portions like fresh meat and fish. Friends pop round with soups and snacks that either get eaten then or frozen for later.
Reach out for and accept all the help you can get, even if you have never done it before. Make a list that any visitors can see. Keep people informed. It stops them feeling useless (not my words) and gives them the chance of helping you. Talk talk talk.
Post-surgery exercises. Do them, but don’t over do them. As you recover, look at gentle basic yoga poses and stretches.
Skin care. Vitamin E oil is good for scars to help them be less tight and to fade. You are likely to be told after a few weeks to massage booby to help the seroma and swelling disperse. Use moisturiser, the more natural the better. I use a homemade one containing natural oils and beeswax that I have been using this for a number of years anyway. It nourishes my skin and hopefully reduce any of the skin damage from radiotherapy next year. Keep things simple and natural.
Fresh air and sunshine. A remarkable tonic whatever the season, just wrap up well and don’t over do it. Try and get out every day. Post a letter, walk round the block, smile at someone, notice the changes of the seasons/sights/smells/sounds.
<li-spoiler><li-spoiler>Hi! I had lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removal on 10th Dec! I’m interested to read what people are saying about driving. The McMillan nurse at our hospital told me that if I drive before they give me the okay at my follow-up appointment my insurance company won’t pay out if I have an accident! <br><br>Apart from that I’d say drink plenty of water up to the time you’re allowed pre-op as it can help when you come round post-op if you’re well hydrated. <br><br>Sounds strange but I’ve taken photos of the different stages of bruising just for my own reference really. I took a photo of the way the dressings had been done by the nurses so I remembered how they went when I did them! <br><br>But main thing is rest, accept help, keep a written journal of your emotions, thoughts! <br><br>lots of love!!!xxx<br><br><br></li-spoiler></li-spoiler>