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Lumpectomy recovery time?

First post and replies | Last post by Lms7663, 9 months ago

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Hi all, I'm scheduled for lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy next week. I’m wondering for those that had lumpectomy, how long was your recovery time? I’ve been informed I may come home with drains which I know may slow recovery a bit. Any tips on dealing with drains is greatly appreciated as well! Thank you!

By Nope 10 months ago
Hi - After my mastectomy I had two drains on each side. To keep the drain tubes from hanging uncomfortably, I used a drain pouch from Amazon called RecoverEase. I’ve tried to copy the link below. I also used a robe from Amazon that had drain pockets and I ordered a hoodie (from Amazon) that had drain pockets. I wore very baggy shirts and also pjs that buttoned up the front. I used a shower shirt (from Amazon) to keep the drain sites dry when I showered. My husband measured the drain output and kept the log. Here is the link from Amazon. Apo...

By S2425 10 months ago
Hi. I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy and bilateral oncoplasty reduction. I did have drains but just for a couple of days. I remember the first week of recovery was difficult with movement of arms but doing PT exercises helped me recover. I would say the first 2 weeks were difficult and then I made significant improvement during weeks 3 and 4. Best of luck to you and a speedy recovery!

By Iamasurvi... 10 months ago
@s2425 Great post! For future reference for anyone who sees this: We do allow links, but your post will probably automatically get sent to moderation. If you write a post containing a link and don't see it go live right away, that's why. I'll get an email about it and will view and approve it asap. (That's what happened to your post.) Thank you for your very helpful response to the original poster's question.

By thebreast... 10 months ago
Having drains to come home depends on several factors. Location of biopsy and how deep it is and how much tissue removal was required. NOTE: DRAINS actually can help you heal faster if they are needed. Some people will think they didn't really need them as it didn't seem to be draining that much. That's ok, and you can always call the dr office and talk with a nurse if you have questions after home. It's much better that way, than to get home and your body be one to produce a lots of slough off fluid and have to go back in to have drains ...

By Buttercup 10 months ago
I just had my lumpectomy w sentinel node biopsy 2 weeks ago and I’m a little sore but feeling much better. I was noticeably better after the first week. The recovery was easier than I expected. That said I did not need to have any drains. However, I also did not have reconstruction. I’m pretty sure I would have needed drains and I know recovery would have been longer had I needed reconstruction. So far I’m satisfied with my decision not to do reconstruction because my tumor shrank a good amount during chemotherapy, so the amount needing to...

By Lms7663 10 months ago
Thank you SO much for the thoughtful insights, appreciate all the tips too! I’m weirdly looking forward to just getting on with all of this so this unwelcome visitor can vacate the premises. Will definitely check out the helpful items on Amazon, and start assessing my surroundings for easier healing after surgery. Dr Wagner at KU will be taking care of me, and I feel like I’m good hands. I opted for no reconstruction. Thank you again for the help. Sending good vibes and good health to all of you, no matter where you are on your journey. ...

By Nope 10 months ago
I am in the exact same boat as you are wanting this to be over with. It’s now been over 2 weeks since surgery and I’m a little more tender than I was last week but I’m exercising it more now. I had my post op appointment this past week and my pathology report came back great. It appears they got it all but I will still need radiation as a precaution. I wish you the best of luck. I’ve been extremely happy with KU. You’re in good hands. You’ve got this.

By Lms7663 9 months ago
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First post and replies | Last post by Iamasurvivor, 2 years ago

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I was diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer in early 2022. My treatment plan included one year of Herceptin treatments spaced every 3 weeks apart plus 6 treatments of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and 3 weeks of radiation. I also tried the drug, Nerlynx, after completing my year of Herceptin treatment, but was not able to tolerate it due to side effects. I am grateful for the treatment plan as I am now cancer for over a year since the end of my treatment plan.

By Iamasurvi... 2 years ago

Nipple sparing surgery

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 2 years ago

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First post and replies | Last post by jleeh, 2 years ago

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Anyone gone through DIEP? Any tips for the second surgery?

By jleeh 2 years ago

Deep Inspiration Breath Hold

First post and replies | Last post by janedoe7, 2 years ago

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If you are having radiation on the left breast, you will probably be instructed to take a deep breath and hold it during treatment to move the breast away from the heart and limit the amount of radiation that reaches it. You may want to practice this beforehand. They will want you to take the exact same breath each time, and you will need to be able to hold it for several seconds. If you've never developed any awareness of your breathing, the first day of radiation is not the ideal time to start. If you don't get it right, you'll have to do it ...

By janedoe7 2 years ago

Just a little pink

First post and replies | Last post by FOF101, 2 years ago

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I had a lumpectomy and had to have 20 days of radiation. I went everyday at the same time to Menorah and the nurses were amazing! I did not have any major reactions to the radiation. The area that they pinpointed on my breast just got a little pink and it looked and felt like a sunburn. Radiation is not hard at all, but the 1st time you go in the room it freaks you out a little bit because of the size of the machine and the fact that the nurses go out of the room because of the radiation. The actual radiation only takes about 5 minutes. Super e...

By FOF101 2 years ago

Tips for recovery?

First post and replies | Last post by Helen, 2 years ago

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Anyone had to switch from Tamoxifen to Arimidex?

First post and replies | Last post by Gwoodhood, 2 years ago

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Herceptin and Perjeta for HER2+ cancer

First post and replies | Last post by Iamasurvivor, 2 years ago

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I am grateful for the developer of Herceptin and Perjeta for HER2+ breast cancer. I took both drugs (via my chemo port) every 3 weeks for 1 year. This treatment has an amazing success rate for stopping reoccurrence in HER2+ breast cancer.

By Iamasurvi... 2 years ago

First post and replies | Last post by Iamasurvivor, 2 years ago

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