How Long Is Recovery After a Lumpectomy?

Hi Melanie. I haven't had my lumpectomy yet but I've read about others on this site. Most have written that the surgery went pretty quick and recovery wasn't bad. If it's a straight lumpectomy I think recovery is about a week.

Thank you

I've had both: a lumpectomy at 35 and reconstruction at 67 years old. The lumpectomy with lymph node removal was not as difficult as the breast removal. The lymph node removal was difficult because you naturally did not want to raise your arm EVER. Within 2 weeks I had to raise my arm above my head to start radiation treatments. I walked my arm up the shower tiles daily. Naturally, it did get much easier when the staples were removed. The lumpectomy area healed very nicely and swift. All I had on the lumpectomy area was a steri strip. Bra back on after a week.' Good luck to you.

I had a lumpectomy in April, and a lot of tissue was removed. Stage 0 class 2, clear margins. I did NOT have 30 seconds of pain. And the "scar" looked like a scratch. I couldn't believe it. No drugs. I asked my surgeon how this was possible. She said it's the IV drug cocktail she used for surgery. It included a long acting numbing agent. (She is the head of the breast cancer division of a major teaching hospital.). I had plastic surgery a few weeks after that with a plastic surgeon. He evened out the breast with the lumpectomy and reduced the other breast to match it. I have never experienced this level of pain in my life, and I've had bilateral knee replacement! It wasn't just pain. It was severe burning because of nerve regeneration. It lasted for weeks. He kept telling me he wouldn't give me pain meds but they didn't want to have drug addicts. I called the surgeon who did the lumpectomy. She immediately prescribed oxycodone. The moral of the story? Pick the right doctors! Check the Castle Connolly directory for top docs in your area.

Hi- I had lumpectomy with 2 nodes removed 3 weeks ago. The pain was not awful- Tylenol and lots of ice were my best friends for about 10 days. Then no ice and no meds. I took off surgical bra after about 10 days as it was leaving an irritation on my shoulder and used a sports bra. I think I have been blessed so far in this journey.

Lumpectomy today. Pain not bad. Nor given a bra so will try my sports bra. Feeling very blessed! Nodes clear, waiting on path report.

Recovery time after lumpectomy typically ranges from a few days to several weeks, with most people returning to normal activities within 1-2 weeks, though everyone heals differently. Pain levels vary but are generally manageable with prescribed medications, and many find the discomfort decreases significantly after the first few days - wishing you a smooth procedure and recovery.