What was your lumpectomy recovery like?

[MisterSister]

I have a surgery date in a month for lumpectomy. I'm starting to rethink that.How was lumpectomy for you? Pain, mobility, appetite, appearance, etc.

[mathematics]

I had a lumpectomy as it was what I was advised to have done. I also had all the lymph nodes on my left side removed at the same time so I had to wear a drain for I think about a week or two after the operation, which was not a problem. The first operation healed up quickly and no problems I then found out they had to clear the margins around the site as they had found some precancerous cells. After this operation I have to be honest the scar became infected and sore. However it was straight into chemo and radiotherapy. I am glad now I had the lumpectomy as although my one breast is smaller than the other it poses no problem to me, my scope of movement is fine and I decided not to go for any corrective surgery. I have to be honest that was all just over ten years ago and I rub moisturizer into my scar and I also do exercises to drain my lymph in the mornings. I have not had any problems with the lumpectomy at all and found it less invasive and in the long run better. Take care.

[MisterSister in reply to mathematics]

Thank you for sharing that with me. 🙂

[caren422 in reply to mathematics]

I had a first lumpectomy for DCIS (Stage 0) in January 2014. My recovery was very smooth. I had 15 days of radiation in March 2014--part of a clinical trial to lie on my belly. Not a single problem or side effect. I opted to not take an AI.

I had a second lumpectomy in March 2016, because my oncologist/surgeon saw some strange cells that she told me was probably was scar tissue which it was. but she admitted at my next 6 month check-up that she was afraid it might have been DCIS again.

Next January 2024, will be ten years and I have been fine.

[Kazza1111]

I had a lumpectomy in January, the biopsy was negative but they found cancerous cells had formed after the biopsy so I had to go and have the lymph nodes tested, which were negative. All ok. I've just finished radiotherapy , no chemotherapy.All ok, using lots of moisturiser after the radiotherapy and trying to keep up with my exercises.

[Multigravida1956]

I had a lumpectomy in February and recovery was quick, minimal discomfort, I didn’t require any post operative analgesia. I also had 3 lymph nodes removed at the same time.

[smithtennyson]

I had surgery in January, unfortunately they didn't get the correct margins around the outside and I had to have another op in February, also lymph nodes removed, which were negative. Needless to say I wasn't happy, but now glad that I went ahead with it. No, chemotherapy but I had radiotherapy in April, and all went well, really if I'm honest I had minimal discomfort...still a few uncomfortable days as the nerves knit back together again but all is copeable. Hope it goes well x

[Ditzy60]

I had a lumpectomy no lymph node removal. Minimal pain, no mobility issues. Drain was in for a few days until drainage was minimal. Had op on Monday went back to work following Monday ( office job)

[1KITTEN]

I had a lumpectomy of the left breast & sentinel node biopsy of the left underarm. Biopsy was clear & the lumpectomy went well but ended up with a seroma underarm my left underarm incision. It took time but cleared up on its own. My left breast is much smaller. Some pain due to scaring. I did 15 radiation sessions & I'm taking a hormone pill for 5 years. Just remember to ask your doctor or medical team any questions you may have.

[Dafduck24]

hi MisterSister. Yes was painful but after a few days didn’t take painkillers and was going out socially after. Must keep up the arm exercises if having lymph nodes removed. Made such a difference with me. My arm is very mobile now. Breast still slightly uncomfortable sometimes if do something to physical or wear a bra that rubs. Hope your op goes well and you recover quickly.

[Mistydeb01]

I had a lumpectomy & sentinel lymph node removal 9 weeks ago. Pain was manageable and the worst of it was the first few days after. Travelling in car is a bit of a challenge as speed bumps are not good for weeks after. Just need to be careful with what you do. Excercises are good to do, just don’t go crazy with them.

Scar looks good, onco didn’t actually see it until I pointed it out (mine is at bottom part of boob). Lymph node scar looks like a red scratch. Right boob looked square once dressings were off but it’s changing as time goes on. Surgeon was good, did a bit of reconstruction to pull more boob tissue into gap.

All good, no infection, clear margins and no problems with arm movement. Don’t think I lost my appetite. I don’t think it looks bad or hideous, but that’s subjective and everyone is different with how they view body image Finding a bra that was comfortable was/is a challenge, as it heals internally what was comfy is no more. I still have a few uncomfortable moments but not sure if I’ve done something to irritate it.

Good luck x

[Mabrock]

I had three different lumpectomies and sentinel node removed- 2 were to clear margins. There was very little discomfort or pain with each, I chose a lumpectomy as that is the least invasive. A few people questioned my decision of not having a mastectomy, I felt that could be done later if necessary. Very happy with the decision. Best of luck with this journey.

[twiceshy2]

I have had two Lumpectomies in same breast 6 years apart, last one July 2022 - three lymph nodes removed both times (thank God both times clear margins and lymph nodes) - I had minimal pain both times and back at work in week (office job) - second time I did have to do more exercises with arm for lymph nodes to drain - I chose lumpectomy the second time as it is least invasive and actually what Doctor recommended. Best of luck.

[MisterSister]

I thank you all for your generosity in sharing your own experiences. It sounds as though not one of you regrets lumpectomy, as opposed to mastectomy.

[suenavywife in reply to MisterSister]

I also had two lumpectomy’s, one on each breast, 17 years apart. Doctors recommended genetic testing, which I agreed to, and it was discovered that I have the Chek 2 gene. This puts me at a higher risk for other cancers, none found yet. My doctors talked about a mastectomy and I opted against it. June 19 will be 4 years since my last surgery. I made the decision that if cancer returns I will probably proceed with the mastectomy, but GOD willing I won’t have to make that decision. I had radiation and no chemotherapy.

I don’t look forward to the yearly mammograms, as it seems they are more painful every year. I was told that the radiation changes the breast tissue for years after, no idea if this is true or not. and I have a yearly breast MRI, which is very uncomfortable, as I have bad shoulders and the MRI position is not a comfortable position and not quick. I’m 66 and told my doctor let’s reevaluate the need for these two tests at 70 and I’ll decide how long I want to continue with them, I was told, by my doctors, I’ll need to have these tests for the rest of my life, not sure that will happen!

Good luck to you and Gods blessings on a Great outcome!

[Sagebud]

Hi MisterSister. I tried to reply the other day, but I don't see it in the list, so I'm writing again. Hopefully it's not a duplicate. Anyway, I had a lumpectomy, left side, in mid April. They also took 2 lymph nodes for examination. The armpit scar for the lymph nodes is worse than the one on my breast, but not terrible. I have full mobility, but was limited right after surgery. I normally have a yoga practice, so that helped with stretching. I have no lymphedema at all and did not have a drain either, which I've read about here. Overall, not a terrible surgery or recovery. Hope this information helps.

[1KITTEN]

My lumpectomy of my left breast & biopsy of sentinel nodes of my left underarm went well. Very little scaring. But did have a seroma at the incision of my left underarm. A bit painful but cleared up nicely. Did 15 sessions of radiation went pretty well. But I did put lotion on areas to be radiated 3 times a day before my radiation treatment. It really helped. I did burn a bit but was given a prescription to help heal it. Then 5 years of a hormone therapy pill. Started with Tamoxifen but it wasn't for my so switched to Letrozole it seems okay but there is side effects with all medications. So just talk to your doctor & medical team if you have any questions or concerns. I wish you well & hope this helps a bit.