Questions as I prepare for a lumpectomy: Tips please

@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

@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

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.

@triciaot Thank you so much this is helpful. Quick question, how long was it before you could lift your arms over your head

@jules2026, glad to hear that the lumpectomy went well. I hope recovery continues to go well too. Was there anything you wish you had known before surgery? What is helping you during recovery?

I was 50 when I got the word dcis. Lumpectomy and radiation! I could do anything! No hurt tenderness yes but it goes away! I would get on meds after! I tried going with out meds! And 15 years later I got a small cancer! Got lumpectomy and radiation again but on meds and hopefully I will not get again! Hopefully you will do better!