Lumpectomy - recovery and general info

[DominoRules]

After advice on what to expect on recovery from a lumpectomy.

I have a 2cm lump that will be removed with about a cm margin, quite unexpected and I went a bit blank when on phone to consultant and didn’t ask any questions! Trying to get stuff in place as I think the surgery will be this week.

How long until I can drive? Do I need a particular bra for afterwards etc? Any tips or advice welcome!

For info, it’s a phyllodes tumour and benign which is a huge relief but has to come out asap as they can grow rapidly

I had a fibroadaenoma of a similar size removed about 4 years ago and I can honestly say it was a quick in and out of the hospital in one day and minimal discomfort.

I guess it does depend on where the lump is situated and other factors but a couple of days of self-care and I was absolutely fine. From what I remember I could have driven the next day. Good luck.

@8lue8irds thats great thank you! I’m not very good at recovery stuff so hoping I can be back to normal quickly

I had a lumpectomy in 2021. It was on my right breast on the outside. I also had 3 lymph nodes removed.

When you go home ask whoever is picking you up to bring a soft pillow to put under your arm. It protects your breast from the seat belt and eases any bumps you might go over.

Are you having a drain? I had one in for 4 days and carried it around in a cross over little handbag during the day.

Buy some front fastening bras too, I bought some from Sainsburys which were great but bought them in a larger size to allow for any swelling and so I wouldn't feel restricted and uncomfortable.

I drove after about 3 weeks, my surgeon said that was fine.

Make sure you do any exercises that you are given religiously.

Good luck. It's quite an easy op to recover from.

@BG2015 good advice on the bras and pillow - the hospital is about an hour away so definitely will need that for the journey.

I don’t think I’ll have a drain and it’s just the lump which is fairly central above my nipple and near the surface as it’s easy to feel so hopefully straightforward

I was happy to drive almost immediately - as soon as the 24 hour prohibition expired.

My latest lumpectomy was also close to the surface and by the nipple. It was complicated by multiple previous surgeries in the area but I was in no real pain the next day (unless I bumped it!).

I wore a hideous M&S sports bra with soft cups and no wiring day and night for a couple of weeks whilst the bruising (which was substantial) went away. It was a good 6 months though before it went completely but I had some mammoplasty as well as it was a large lump and the surgeon (and me!) wanted a good cosmetic result.