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Tee23's avatar
Tee23
Member
6 years ago

After Surgery

Hi everyone! I have had a lumpectomy operation 3 weeks ago and removal of 5 lyph nodes. I was just wondering how long should i be feeling discomfort from the side of my breast and under my arm? Both scars are healing well with no sign of infection but I am continuing to have the discomfort and a warm sensation around the areas (doesnt seem to be swollen but breast is firm). Not sure if this is the norm as its only been 3 weeks or should I see my local gp for reassurance? Appreciate your feedback please.
lumpectomy
surgery

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  • JanineG's avatar
    JanineG
    Member
    6 years ago
    @Tee23 hi I hope everything settles for you sooner rather than later. As @Irb_03 said surface healing is a lot faster than the layers of tissue that have been cut underneath. I had similar surgery to you in 2015,  still don't completely feel comfortable under my arm, scar is painful if I press on the ends, and my breast is much firmer than the other one. Dont get me wrong it's much much better than it was, so if you already feel not so bad that's a great sign. JanineG xo
  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    6 years ago
    It's 18 months since my SNB, lumpectomy and wide local excision, and a year since my mastectomy and I still get all sorts of weird pains under there. Check with your breast care nurse or doctor for reassurance, but it sounds pretty normal to me. K xox
  • Scaredycat's avatar
    Scaredycat
    Member
    6 years ago
    I found the surgical site under my armpit more painful initially. That settled but I still get pain in my breast which is apparently normal.

    The thing I kept forgetting to mention to my nurse, oncologist & GP was that my breast was red, but not that painful  ...... it was picked up after my first chemo & was cellulitis. 
  • Blossom1961's avatar
    Blossom1961
    Member
    6 years ago
    @Tee23 I agree with @Irb_03  It sounds fairly normal BUT anything that gives you concern is worth getting checked out. My GP ended up being my go to person but if you have a good BC nurse then that is a good option.
  • Tee23's avatar
    Tee23
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thank you for your response. Yes i have a beautiful  breast care nurse, I will contact her tomorrow and see my gp if I need to but I'd say its exactly what you mentioned.. I appreciate this site to be able to air my concerns. Thanks again.
  • lrb_03's avatar
    lrb_03
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi & welcome, @Tee23. It can take a while for the discomfort from the node removal site to settle. With both the wounds just remember that tissue and nerves have been cut, moved around inside your breast and then stitched up again. That all takes time to heal. Having said all that, you've asked the question, so I'm guessing it's concerning you, so go and see someone, whether it's your GP, or do you have a breast care nurse you could contact? 
    Take care