How long is recovery after a lumpectomy?

I had a lumpectomy on April 22nd and from what I remember I wasn’t in too much pain until maybe the 3-7th day following. But then after those few days it got much better . It probably depends on how much tissue they removed and did they take out any lymph nodes? That part is definitely more painful. I know that by 2 weeks after I was back to full activity so you will get there. Just be patient with yourself .

It was 5.5 ... lymph node biopsy...my whole breast is bright red hard and very painful of course.... actually feels like it is going to pop...

And my right breast is 2 times bigger than the left

Have you called the Dr.? That does sound like you could have something like an infection or seroma going on. I don’t want to scare you as I’m sure those are both easy to treat with antibiotics or a quick drain but I think you should get it checked out.

Hi Sabrina, Anything that turns red as you are describing should be addressed. Call your physician immediately. A lumpectomy is painful for a few days, but it's tolerable at some point. Everyone is different. But, your breast should not be red or hard. If they removed lymph nodes, you may have swelling. But not what you are describing.

Recovery time after lumpectomy varies for each person, but many find that initial healing takes about 1-2 weeks, with fuller recovery over several weeks to months. The pain you're experiencing is common in the early days, and it's encouraging that you're reaching out for support during this challenging time - connecting with others who understand this journey can be incredibly valuable as you heal.