My doctor mentioned that he could remove no lymph nodes while standing in the hallway. I had the surgery, and he removed 9 perfectly good lymph nodes. I have had lymphedema after surgery and whole body looks terrible shoulder cracks. It is painful. You will need someone to help you if you are like me and could barely hold a cup of water. Couldn't even mouse for a long time. My hand still keeps me awake 8 months after. The plan was to test 1 lymph node on each side as I had stage 1 on both breasts. I called another hospital a few days after the surgery and was told by a doctor that he would not take my doctor's leftovers. I found out recently *heard on the news that the hospital I went to has a grade D in surgery. My surgeon was a 5 out of 5 on the net . . . ! queston mark!! I was awake last night looking at my veins that are visible through my skin. My skin looks like someone who just lost 100 lbs. very saggy, etc. I wish someone would tell me how it is OK for me to be treated like this and what they would advise. I have had an open wound ever since month 3 after surgery. I am concerned about how I will get it repaired with having so many lymph nodes removed. Your life could be forever altered like mine. If you are like I was before surgery you don't have your normal brain to absorb it all, because your brain wants to kick out the miserable stuff. I did not know anything about breast cancer. Can anyone tell me what they would do in my present situation. I have been treated very differently by medical staff after surgery. I made it known to the doctor right off the bat that a plan to test 1 lymph node on each side that morphed into having 9 good lymph nodes removed was not something that I thought was fine. My PA thinks it is fine. Other doctors think it is fine or say nothing. People are very ignorant about the lymph nodes they do lots of good things for you including fighting cancer. Try to get all the knowledge you can and get at least one more opinion. I did not. So much for trusting the doctor.