Questions as I prepare for a lumpectomy: Tips please

@jules2026
I think one big thing that made such a difference for me was just getting home. The weeks leading up to surgery were full of medical appts. By the time surg day arrived, I was happy for the pre-op sedation and let it work. When I got home that night, all I had to do was get into bed and sleep.
We might all be different in our cancer and healing journeys, but one thing we all have in common is the fight. We will make choices, have delicate conversations with medical people, wonder what else we can do, and that includes you. but please remember you will not be alone. We might start out as faceless strangers here but will quickly reach for that common thread of hope and will be connected in ways others can't understand. Wishing you every good outcome. Please let us know how you are. 🙏

Exactly, the amount of appointments leading up to the surgery is quite stressful. I"m meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and they are placing the seed for the surgery prep. My surgery is 8 days away. What you said about the pre-op sedation is comforting to hear, I will take your approach. Thank you for your kindness and the reminder that we are not alone. I will keep you posted.

Hi everyone, I wanted to reach out because the information shared in this group has been incredibly helpful to me. Understanding that I am not alone in this journey brings a lot of comfort.

I was recently diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma in my left breast (approximately 3 to 3.7 cm) and am scheduled for surgery on June 9th. I have chosen a lumpectomy with a breast tissue rearrangement and a bilateral lift to ensure symmetry. Following surgery, I will begin radiation.

I am currently struggling with the decision regarding the breast lift, specifically having it done on the healthy side. While I feel hesitant because the right side has no cancer, I worry that if I don't do it now, I will regret it later when my breasts look noticeably different.

Has anyone else experienced these feelings or faced a similar decision? I would appreciate any insights you can share. Thanks

@eervin Yes! I had a lumpectomy on right with breast lift on left. I’d do it again.
I was also conflicted with trying to decide beforehand. But the extra surgery was not a problem. No more discomfort, no extra pain. It is a little more limiting on not raising arms overhead on both sides. I wore button down shirts so nothing had to go over my head.
I had large breasts and glad to get rid of them. Although their goal was not to give me a reduction, but I went from a DD minimizer bra to a normal D.
Private message me if you’d like to talk - Tricia

@triciaot thank you so much for sharing your experience. Did you do physical therapy and do they expect you to eventually receive full range and motion of your arms ms.

I have full range of motion on arms - I was only limited to moving my arms while breast tissue and sutures healed, 3 months, after the first surgery. Lots of sutures, A lollipop and anchor, on both breasts. They also extended the suture line about 1 1/2 “ around the side, that keeps it smooth, no dog ears.
Limited range of motion most often happens with removal of lymph nodes. I didn’t have that.
I requested a prescription for PT because with that second surgery the skin was pulled tighter on the suture line, which was lumpier looking, and the scan showed what they think is a seroma almost 3 1/2” long!! The skin in that area is thicker, and while it looks normal, it is not as pliant - a result of radiation. So I think it was more difficult to shape the breast and suture it.
My cancer was in the lower outer quadrant so radiation was focused there - not everyone has radiation to the skin under the breast on the sutures.

I wanted to try to keep the suture line pliable as possible, and . . . I didn’t know but maybe help massage the seroma area and get the fluid moving. If there was going to be improvement to the area the best time to impact it was before the skin tightened and seroma became harder.
The PT did massage and mildly stretch the skin. Suggested a small vibrator I could use and also a silicone pad with bumps that could be put in my bra with idea to provide uneven pressure that might get fluid to move.

I have a 3D mammogram and ultrasound AND a MRI in 11 days. So we’ll see what that “seroma” looks like. I am kind of concerned when they added the MRI, not originally planned. The last scan report was Birads 2. I’m telling myself they only want to get a good look at the long seroma, nothing else. But it is a lot of scans coming 3 1/2 yrs after DCIS.

Hello, I have a lumpectomy scheduled for June 9, where can I get oppose surgery support bra. Thank you

@eervin Hello. I came out of surgery wearing a post op bra. I wore that one almost 24/7 for 3-4 days after surgery. After that I switched over to less tight/compressive bras that I bought on Amazon. Cydream was the brand. They are comfortable and not expensive. I didn't have much swelling after surgery so they did the trick. I didn't have any shoulder ranger of motion issues but the bras I bought closed in the front which is convenient. Best of luck to you.

@babs28 thank you so much. This was very helpful. I really appreciate it.

@brooklyn22 , I wanted to let you know that I had my lumpectomy 2 days ago and the procedure went smoothly, I have minimal pain. Thank you for the support and sharing your experiences, I'm grateful