Hi, I have a lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes coming up. I have been given lots of information about the surgery itself, but they haven’t said anything to me yet about managing afterwards ie what bra to wear (or not), what I will and won’t be able to do etc. Does this get discussed before I leave the hospital? Is there anything I should be doing beforehand to prepare? TIA.
I hope you are recovering well from your surgery, JacquiS xx. Make haste slowly xx.
Your surgeon should have advised you re the Breast Care Nurse ... if you went private for surgery, they may have their OWN BC Nurse (mine did) but as I live 4hrs away from the hospital, contact was only by email & it wasn't always a 'timely reply'! If you are in the Public System, you are usually assigned one. You CAN go onto the McGrath website & look up who is 'covering' your area!
https://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/get-support/find-a-nurse/
The ladies have all given excellent tips xx. Just be really careful you don't pick up any heavy stuff for a little while (at least until after you have your surgeon's first review - ask him about it!) They are almost 'reflex actions' eg if your grandchild comes towards you - or your pet!! But also it can be not lifting up wet washing (or hanging it out) as your reach (both up and down will be compromised for a little while, like getting things out of cupboards - glasses & plates or cooking pots & pans!). Even housekeeping! I hope you have plenty of support at home xx
My surgery was around my nipple, and the soft bra aggravated it (making it bleed!) so I didn't wear it much until I actually drove home (to stop the boob bouncing on the bad roads on the 4hr drive home!). (But I haven't worn a bra since I was in my 20s - now 73) ... so maybe that was a part of it as well! LOL
It can be a very emotional time too, so if you feel yourself getting sad or concerned about how things are going - have a listen to Charlotte Tottman's podcast on her own Breast Cancer story. She is a specialist Breast Cancer Psychologist who had a double mastectomy about 5 years ago. She was quite surprised at just 'how much' it affected her both mentally and physically, as she'd been helping ladies for decades .... and then experienced it all herself! The podcasts are very easy to listen to & I most find them very helpful. There are 2 seasons - start off with the first one here (What You don't know until you do Welcome):
https://soundcloud.com/bcna
Also, check out this post, that has a wealth of information in it (about our private groups, if you'd like to join one) and other bits post surgery too!
A big welcome to all New Online Network Members ..... | BCNA Online Network
Take care, and wishing you all the best for your recovery xx
Thanks, in the end it was the physio who gave me the most useful information. There is a breast care nurse there but I haven’t needed her. I see my surgeon for follow-up tomorrow so fingers crossed I don’t need more surgery!
In terms of a bra, Kmart actually makes a really comfortable post surgery bra with a front zipper closure. In the post surgery period I found the Kmart bra more comfortable and easier to wear.
Absolutely agree that the Kmart Bra with a sports back and zip up the front has been the most comfortable. I spent a day going to Myer , DJ's Harris Scarf, Bras N Things and another speciality bra shop to find a post surgery bra. There was nothing (even though websites stated there was) The Berlei bra was at Myer but only 1 left and 1 size. I then went to Kmart after work the next day and thought I can not loose as it was 2 for $20 ! and it has turned out to the be great. I rang BCNA the day before my surgery and they sent me out a Berlei one but I don't find them as good - there are 2 many hooks at the front and it feels like you are in a corset! BCNA also said I would have a Breast Care nurse see me in hospital but no one came to see me and I wasn't given any instructions for breast care. I hope this information helps!
Hi, athabks. I tried the K-Mart one but I have quite large breasts on a small frame so the cup size just wasn’t big enough. I did find some front opening “crop” tops from BigW thought which have been just as good as the post-surgical bra they gave me. Just slowly waiting for the wounds to heal and the pain to reduce when using my arm. It is getting better every day now though, so getting there.
Thanks, I will check it out. My surgeon has told me I will need a wirefree bra fior 3 months so anything supportive will be helpful.
'Strengthen Your Recovery' Pilates Program
From the BCNA website - a wealth of information
Thank you for sharing this! iserbrown
Hi Jacqui, I had my lumpectomy and sentinel node removal surgery at around 7pm on April 10th. I stayed overnight in hospital. I wore a soft cotton sports type bra straight after surgery. It was both comfortable and supportive. My surgeon put a waterproof dressing over the two necessary incisions for the lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. He said I could shower in the morning which I did. No problems, just took it slowly. I wore the bra to bed for a few days, and found myself holding my breast when turning over in bed for extra support. My surgeon told me not to lift weighty objects, and to massage the area, but other than that, to be guided by what my body allowed me to do. I had an appointment with my surgeon a week later, where he removed the dressing, examined the area and gave me my results. I felt I had quite a bit of swelling from the seroma. He aspirated, but hardly any liquid was captured. Again he advised massaging the area. Now, 3 months on, I have completed 15 sessions of radiation, and still have a hardened area in my affected breast, but other than that both experiences (surgery and radiation) have been better than I expected, with relatively little discomfort. I wish the same for you x
JacquiS Before discharge I was given a short info sheet from the hospital about what to expect during recovery, wound care, and what not to do including "No running/jumping or bouncing for 6 weeks" - my surgeon was a little surprised when he saw that notation a few weeks later and said I could bounce if I want to (I definitely didn't feel like it so soon!).
I struggled a bit using the post-surgery Berlei bra because I didn't have strength in my arm to do up the closures on my own. Crop tops came in handy (though they were a bit hard to put on at first due to limited arm movement) and I slept in them to keep my breasts from moving around at night. The hospital should tell you if you need compression or not. I went back to work a week after surgery and was wearing an wireless normal bra during the day but everyone is different.
Is the surgery on your dominant side? If so, it will take a bit of effort to use your non-dominant hand to do normal tasks like brushing teeth, cutting up food, or lifting things.
My breast care nurse had given me a booklet of exercises - she encouraged me to start doing them before surgery and then continue on post surgery. At first the limited range of movement felt frustrating but each day it got better.
I'd suggest stocking up on favourite foods and making sure you've got button or zip-up tops to wear as they will be easiest when you are first recovering. Baby wipes are good for a body-clean until you're ready to shower.
Listen to your body and go with the flow.
All the best.
Thank you so much for this - wet wipes are now on my shopping list :D
Thanks. It is on my dominant side. I have been told it will affect my arm movement, but it sounds like it’s pretty significant from what you are saying. I see the physio this Friday fir exercises to do post surgery.
Hearing about those difficulties you had is really helpful. It’s that kind of thing I feel so unsure about. Thanks
JacquiS My arm movement wasn't significantly impacted for long. I was brushing my teeth again with my affected side after a few days, driving the car four days following my sentinel node biopsy and a week and a half after my axillary dissection.
I took the surgeon's advice about not trying to do things above shoulder height at first. I found it quite easy to tell how much movement my arm wanted and not over-doing it.
The complicating thing was anything that required pushing or pulling (opening a fridge door, using cutlery, using a stapler at work) my arm didn't have the strength at first but I made do with my non-dominant side until my dominant side was ready. Everything was do-able.
The exercises are really helpful not only for the muscles but the mind as well as you will notice improvements as you regain movement.
I too are having my first lumpectomy and removal of lymph nodes next mth I have a breast care nurse she gave me lots of information and she signed me up for a berlei post surgery bra which I have now received .
breast cancer gave me her Moblie number to contact her with questions which I had done yesterday.
good luck with your operation
From my experience, I had a Breast care nurse working with the Surgeon who gave me lots of information and self care. Hopefully you will have the same. Pathology after the initial surgery will confirm the type of Breast Cancer, future treatment and if there are clear margins with the removal of the nodes.
It is a scary time as it is an unknown but once this part is done you will have a clearer picture, understanding of where you are at and what, if any, are the next steps.
Take care
Thanks. I have been told all about what to expect medically in terms of possible treatment, but all I have been told is I will need two weeks off post surgery and I will be sore. As well as some of the possible nerve damage, swelling etc.
