Questions as I prepare for a lumpectomy: Tips please

I had a lumpectomy more than three years ago. I was told I could resume normal activities in 2 days. However, I have chronic pain from another condition and I took a week at home. I did do gentle exercise and some walking every day. I stretched my left side a lot (the lumpectomy side). I still have some pain/stiffness in armpit from lymph removal, so I stretch to this day. Overall, I had very little pain--something like three days on the prescribed painkillers and then just my usual regime (which probably helped). I had a lot of bruising and redness on the left breast, but it was not infected or even very swollen--more like irritated skin. It cleared by itself. I can't remember shower restrictions--maybe a week? You can check in with the surgeon in you follow-up after the surgery. I did just wash my hair with a little bucket in the tub--which was cheering! Obviously everyone is different, but generally I'd suggest not pushing too hard and listening to your body's energy level. I hope it will be reassuring to hear that now I can barely remember the recovery--and it certainly wasn't bad. Do what you enjoy--whatever mix of quiet and sociability, rest and mild activity. Your strength should come back quickly. I wish you a simple surgery and good recovery.

i had a lumpectomy many years ago.....basically an owie w a Band-Aid.

i later had dcis surgery (& mastectomy) on the same breast, 20 years later. surgery. i was tired and sleepy, but nothing worse---as any surgery would be. a body uses a whole lotta energy to heal...so....

i did not have radiation or chemo. It was done as a same day surgery, which in my opinion was a good thing. It that kept me clear of kootie pathogens that just meander thru the air.... (silly way to put it but also my earnest opinion). i had wound drainage that i measured each day. the instructions sounded sickening, but it actually was a clean and easy process. lastly, i fortunately had a nearby friend who changed the dressing for me for the first few days: kinda hard to reach, no?

to summarize.....no prob bob!!

I had a lumpectomy in October 2024. I had very little pain and alternated ibuprofen and Tylenol as needed. I was not prescribed any painkillers and did not need them. The most discomfort was from the removal of the lymph nodes (I had 2 removed). It felt like a rug burn on the inside of my arm between my elbow and armpit. I also had some discomfort in my armpit from the lymph node removal. The surgeon told me that the nerves can get aggravated when the lymph nodes are removed, and that was what I was feeling. By the time I started radiation 5 weeks after that discomfort was gone. I was fortunate that my tumor was on the right side of my right breast so the surgeon was able to get the tumor and the lymph nodes using the same incision.

I had a drain after surgery (not everyone does), and I did not shower until the drain was removed a week post-surgery. My husband washed my hair for me in the kitchen sink until I could shower.

I had IDC so I did need to have radiation. However, due to my Oncotype score I did not have chemo.

I wish you all the best for your surgery and recovery.

@mir123 , thank you for sharing your experience, I appreciate it

@carolinab thank you for sharing your experience. Sounded like it was manageable for you. This gives me hope

@ncadler thank you for sharing your experience, I appreciate it