Surgery Day
I have lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node arranged for Feb 7 at RBWH . I would like to know what to expect on the day. Could you describe what surgery day was like for you please?
Forum Discussion
Hi Mummaj. I have just had a lumpectomy and sentinel node mapping and removal last week.
there was a lot more than I was expecting.
The PRP X-ray place was downstairs from the hospital and I had to go and hand in my paperwork to the hospital for admittance and to pay the excess prior to going downstairs to have the preparation for surgery.
I had the radioactive dye injected around the nipple and had to massage the breast firmly for quite a few minutes to move the dye around. It hurts a bit for the injection but otherwise it was okay.
I also had to have a hook wire inserted as well, as I had a (supposedly) small hard to find lump as well. You don't say you need that so I won't burden you with that description.
I then had to wait until the CT scan machines were free, quite a bit of sitting around waiting, take a book or magazine. I first went into one room where 3 photos were taken using very large plates, one I stood up and leant on it, holding on to the sides, one I lay down and they put my arm on a trolley, and the plate came from the side, the last came from above very close (mention it if you are claustrophobic to the attendant I nearly freaked out) each photo took about 4 minutes and you have to stay very still.
I then went back to wait for the other machine to be free, more waiting.
I lay down for this one and my husband was allowed to stay with me and talk me through it. The plates come from both sides and apparently move around you. You have to have your arm up for quite some time and it can be uncomfortable but you can't move.
after that my husband had to leave and I went into a donut shaped machine which moved me around a little.
I kept my eyes closed and counted to distract myself from what was going on as I was very stressed. If you are claustrophobic perhaps ask about whether you are allowed sedation.
That all took over 21/2 hours. I had an X marked on my chest where the sentinel lymph node had shown to be.
when that was finished I was allowed to go up to the hospital and the nurses took me through to be prepared for surgery.
I had to answer a lot of questions for them to fill out some paperwork, be weighed and height checked.
I have allergies so I was given two red ID bands and went through to get undressed and into a gown and onto a bed. My husband could stay with me for all this.
I was given those white compression stockings to put on, (they are really hard to get on) the ID bands were put on my legs (I was having surgery on both breasts) and I had plastic bubble wrap stuff wrapped around my lower legs. These were later hooked up to a machine on the end of the bed that blew them up and vibrated them at regular intervals, they stayed on all the time I was in hospital.
the Anaethetists came to see me and went through any surgery history and allergies, she also told me she would set me up with a PCA so I could control any pain myself. I then saw her again when I was wheeled into the small room before you go into theatre.
before going into theatre a nurse came and gave me a Heparin injection to help stop blood clots. Into the thigh muscle and it didn't tickle!
I was then wheeled around many corridors to the small room where I was prepared for surgery.
the X on my chest was checked, I was having a reduction on both sides so I was marked up with markers all over, probably they don't do that for a standard lumpectomy.
The Anaethetists came in and found a vein to insert a cannula and the last I knew she said she would give me something to relax me and I was gone.
I woke up in recovery.
i was in recovery for about an hour and half as my blood pressure wasn't right, but then was wheeled to the ward. And settled in with a drip in one arm, a PCA and TV control within reach. My husband then came in to see me.
I hope that gives you an idea what to expect. I was in a private hospital, but I am guessing it is much the same wherever you go.
there was a lot more than I was expecting.
The PRP X-ray place was downstairs from the hospital and I had to go and hand in my paperwork to the hospital for admittance and to pay the excess prior to going downstairs to have the preparation for surgery.
I had the radioactive dye injected around the nipple and had to massage the breast firmly for quite a few minutes to move the dye around. It hurts a bit for the injection but otherwise it was okay.
I also had to have a hook wire inserted as well, as I had a (supposedly) small hard to find lump as well. You don't say you need that so I won't burden you with that description.
I then had to wait until the CT scan machines were free, quite a bit of sitting around waiting, take a book or magazine. I first went into one room where 3 photos were taken using very large plates, one I stood up and leant on it, holding on to the sides, one I lay down and they put my arm on a trolley, and the plate came from the side, the last came from above very close (mention it if you are claustrophobic to the attendant I nearly freaked out) each photo took about 4 minutes and you have to stay very still.
I then went back to wait for the other machine to be free, more waiting.
I lay down for this one and my husband was allowed to stay with me and talk me through it. The plates come from both sides and apparently move around you. You have to have your arm up for quite some time and it can be uncomfortable but you can't move.
after that my husband had to leave and I went into a donut shaped machine which moved me around a little.
I kept my eyes closed and counted to distract myself from what was going on as I was very stressed. If you are claustrophobic perhaps ask about whether you are allowed sedation.
That all took over 21/2 hours. I had an X marked on my chest where the sentinel lymph node had shown to be.
when that was finished I was allowed to go up to the hospital and the nurses took me through to be prepared for surgery.
I had to answer a lot of questions for them to fill out some paperwork, be weighed and height checked.
I have allergies so I was given two red ID bands and went through to get undressed and into a gown and onto a bed. My husband could stay with me for all this.
I was given those white compression stockings to put on, (they are really hard to get on) the ID bands were put on my legs (I was having surgery on both breasts) and I had plastic bubble wrap stuff wrapped around my lower legs. These were later hooked up to a machine on the end of the bed that blew them up and vibrated them at regular intervals, they stayed on all the time I was in hospital.
the Anaethetists came to see me and went through any surgery history and allergies, she also told me she would set me up with a PCA so I could control any pain myself. I then saw her again when I was wheeled into the small room before you go into theatre.
before going into theatre a nurse came and gave me a Heparin injection to help stop blood clots. Into the thigh muscle and it didn't tickle!
I was then wheeled around many corridors to the small room where I was prepared for surgery.
the X on my chest was checked, I was having a reduction on both sides so I was marked up with markers all over, probably they don't do that for a standard lumpectomy.
The Anaethetists came in and found a vein to insert a cannula and the last I knew she said she would give me something to relax me and I was gone.
I woke up in recovery.
i was in recovery for about an hour and half as my blood pressure wasn't right, but then was wheeled to the ward. And settled in with a drip in one arm, a PCA and TV control within reach. My husband then came in to see me.
I hope that gives you an idea what to expect. I was in a private hospital, but I am guessing it is much the same wherever you go.