Bruising After Lumpectomy

The usual side effects following lumpectomy include – temporary swelling of the breast, breast tenderness, breast soreness and hardness due to scar tissue that forms in the surgical site. There could be some bruising, which should usually subside in 2-3 days.

Before your lumpectomy, the hospital or surgical center may ask you to come in for a pre-operative appointment. It’s a good idea to take time for this appointment, so you can get most of the paperwork out of the way before surgery, and ask questions that you may have. Bring your insurance card with you and identification such as a driver’s license.

You may also benefit from taking pain medication your doctor prescribes after a lumpectomy until the discomfort subsides. Additionally, you may do well to care for your incision per your doctor’s orders and avoid full showers or baths until after he removes your stitches.

After a typical lumpectomy, removing a mass less than 5 centimeters in size, the recovery typically takes three to four weeks. If the procedure requires the removal of more tissue, the recovery can take as long as six weeks.

Initially after a lumpectomy of that size, the defect may fill in with fluid, which initially may give your breast a normal contour.

Up to half of all women who undergo a lumpectomy or mastectomy feel pain weeks or months later near the breast, adjacent armpit and upper arm on the same side. It is often described as burning, throbbing, and/or a sharp pain. In a study published in the September 2006 Journal of Pain,…

Radiation is almost always required after lumpectomy and sometimes is recommended after mastectomy. Studies have shown that radiation therapy markedly improves local control of breast cancer and also improves survival rates.

When should you call your doctor after a lumpectomy? While you’re recovering, call your doctor right away if you notice swelling in your arm or hand (known as lymphedema), a buildup of fluid under the skin, redness, or any symptoms of an infection. Breastcancer.org: "Lumpectomy," "Lymph Node Removal."

After a typical lumpectomy, removing a mass less than 5 centimeters in size, the recovery typically takes three to four weeks. If the procedure requires the removal of more tissue, the recovery can take as long as six weeks.

Usually it takes about 2 to 3 weeks to recover completely. However, with the help of proper care and guidance from your surgeon, you can certainly reduce the recovery time. Lumpectomy recovery is indeed a physically and emotionally exhausting experience for a woman.

After a lumpectomy without a lymph node biopsy, you’re likely to feel well enough to return to work after two or three days. You can usually resume normal physical activities, like going to the gym, after one week. After a lumpectomy with a lymph node biopsy, you may need to take up to a week off from work to recover.