Having cyst on breast removed - what to expect

[poppy34]

Hi after nearly two years of various treatment have decides to have glactaceole I got bf (basically a persitent blocked duct) removed next week under general anaesthetic.

Has anyone else had something similar and can they tell
me about recovery? As have a lively toddler want to know what to expect about after effects of anaesthetic , how long it take to scar over and how easy or not it is to shower, dress , lift dd?

Also any tips on dealing with scar - have heard bio oil helps.

Hi. I had a fibroid removed when I was 18, it was large and mobile a 'shooting mouse'. About 2"x 2". The surgeon left me a very neat scar by making the incision around the edge of my nipple so that very quickly it was hardly visible at all, barely a white line 12 years on. You will feel really tender and achy for a few days and I found laughing and lifting my arms was painful so I would assume that you might need to be a bit careful with lifting our toddler. Healing was quick, as was recovery from general. As soon as I had come round and felt ok I was allowed to go home. Shower and dressing just takes a little bit of care and maybe a little more time if moving your arms is uncomfortable but I only remember it being a couple of days really. Hope this helps.x

Have they discussed doing it under a local with you, or is that not an option? I had a rather large fibroid removed last year under local. The surgeon recommended it rather than a GA. Again, the incision was around the aureola (sp?) so I can't see a scar. It was quite hard and lumpy, the scar, for a few months, but I can't feel it now. I was a bit tender and had to have a waterproof dressing on for a few days, but don't remember any real difficulty with movement or pain either.

Thanks both of you - that's really helpful. It's about 5cm diameter (I have grown quite used to it but it foes need to go) and is about 3cm away from nipple so gave resigned myself to scar as needs to be cut around. We did discuss local but it's that little bit too big (they need to cut round to stop milk fistula forming).

Dd will just have to walk or cuddle on other side for a few days.

Hi Poppy

I had a general anaesthetic last week for a v minor operation (varicose veins). I felt fine afterwards but was very glad my DH had taken the week off work, as I slept quite a lot. I think the GA can really knock you for 6.

DH looked after the children for most of the week. I was sleepy and felt v tender, and really would have struggled doing the evening routines. I know it's a different op, and a different bit of your body, but I'd imagine that you'd need to plan for you having no responsibilities at all for at least a week, and then easing back in v gently.

I had to keep my leg dry for a week, and wear a surgical stocking day and night, so I couldn't have showers for a week. I had v shallow baths with my leg dangling over the side (now there's an image you don't need imprinted on your mind!) and used a damp flannel and soap so I didn't splash. Maybe something like that would be possible for you?

I don't know how you feel about homeopathic remedies, but I took arnica, which is supposed to help with bruising.

I've heard that vitamin E oil is good for scars.