My Breakthrough
Lumpectomy
This is an operation to remove the breast tumour and a small amount of healthy tissue around it.
Before your operation
Procedures vary from hospital to hospital. But you'll probably go into hospital the day before your operation, especially if you are having surgery in the morning. You won't have anything to eat or drink before your operation. A nurse will check your temperature, blood pressure and heart beat, and you may be given a drug to help you relax.When you get to theatre, you'll have a general anaesthetic, so you'll be asleep during your operation and won't know anything about it.
During the operation
The operation takes about an hour.Your surgeon will operate in two areas:
- Your breast
- Your armpit (axilla)
In your breast, your surgeon will remove the tumour and a small amount of healthy breast tissue around it. This is called taking a margin.
In your armpit, your surgeon will remove one or more lymph nodes. There are three ways to check your lymph nodes:
After the operation
When you wake up, you may:- Feel "slightly woozy".
- Feel sore in your breast or armpit.
Be sure to tell your doctor or nurse. They can give you anti-sickness drugs and/or painkillers.
Everyone feels pain differently; some people need more painkilling
drugs than others.
Everyone feels pain differently; some people need more painkilling drugs than others. There's no need to be in pain. Taking painkillers regularly, before the pain comes back, will help you recover more quickly.
You can start eating and drinking as soon as you recover from the anaesthetic.
Your nurse or doctor should tell you about the care of your lumpectomy wound.
Procedures vary from hospital to hospital. But you should be able to go home a few days after your lumpectomy operation. Take it easy when you first go home.
It's best not to:
- Drive for 5 days after your operation.
- Lift anything heavy or do repetitive movements (like ironing or vacuuming) with the arm on your affected side for at least 4-6 weeks. Even then, gradually increase the weight of things you are lifting.
- Swim or play sport until your scar has healed - about 4-6 weeks.
How soon you can go back to work will depend on your profession. Your doctor can advise you.
