I am a male and, at age 81, had a large breast tumor and 3 positive axillary nodes removed by a great surgeon at the MN Mayo Clinic. Pre-op PET scan was negative. I went into the hospital at 6:30 a.m. and was wheeled back to my hotel by 3 p.m. It is not brain surgery!!! Hopefully you will have Onco-Type Dx testing of a sample of the tumor tissue to determine whether you will need chemo. I had a very low score. My surgeon and I had an agreement that she would remove only the positive nodes, and I would then have proton radiation to treat any cells that still lingered in the chest and axillary area. As a result, I did not have lymphedema. Had cording that was resolved through PT. I have been on Tamoxifen since 6/21. I write this narrative to help you be less worried and more realistic. It's not rocket science. Talk to your physician(s) about your treatment plan. Be calm and trust your surgeon. That trust is most important!! Good luck.