minor surgery

[sophieb]

hi ! i'm going into hospital on thursday to have a benign breast lump removed under local anaesthetic. Has anyone had this? I know it will probably be fine but i get a little queasy at the mere thought of the words needle, incision and stitches! how long will it be til i'm back to normal?

sophie

[Waaii]

My sister had this done a short while ago. She was a bit sore and told not to lift anything for a couple of weeks but otherwise she was fine. No lasting effects. GOOD LUCK

[arburgirl]

Hi Sophie,

Take good care of yourself after the surgery, I was unfortunate to have the nastier kind of lump, and the effects have not been pleasant either, so please, please keep checking yourself. all the best for Thursday.

[Waaii]

I didn't like to say but my sisters was too but she did not have to have any of the nasty therapies and is quite Ok
just to be positive. But do check it makes all the difference !

[elpea]

Hi Sophie... I would recommend you have a friend either come with you, or at least come to pick you up/accompany you home in a taxi. You'll be fine, but you'll be a bit tender, and feel a bit vulnerable. Also your body may be a wee bit in shock, so you might be shaky and weak. Best to have someone with you... even if you feel fine, a bit of company or someone to make a cup of tea for you when you get home will make all the difference. I had a cyst removed last year, and another treatment under local anaesthetic and it was ok, but after doing the first alone I got a friend to pick me up after the second one and it was a relief. Even though I fell asleep as soon as we got to my place she stayed with me, and it felt good to know she was there. You'll be tender until a couple of days after your stitches are removed - just make sure to keep the wound clean, and rest, rest, rest is the main thing that will make you better.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on
x

[sophieb]

Thanks guys! My mum is coming with me and i have a friend staying for a couple of days to help with the kids and stuff. I think i'm worrying too much about it! I'm worried that once they get in there it will be something nasty after all even though i know its not!

[Madgirl2]

Sophie

Did they say what the breast lump was? Does it have a name or description? I am going to a breast clinic on Wednesday to have a lump investigated and I'm really scared. I have a history of benign breast lumps but I'm 35 now and a bit more worried than I was when I was in my 20's.

[daisy48]

Madgirl, Easier said I know but please try not to worry too much at the moment. Many lumps turn out to be harmless cysts or as in my case benign lumps of gristle known as "Fibroadanoma's". I could have had mine removed but as it would have been for cosmetic reasons only, I chose to leave it alone. Good luck sophie!!!

[leedsgurl]

I've had 2 fibroadenomas removed - they're quite common, and there's just a tiny scar left (can hardly see it!).

[sophieb]

Hi to all! My own GP said it was just a fatty lump. I am 36 and there is no history of breast cancer in the family so GP didn't seem too concerned about it being something horrible.

Madgirl2 -easier said than done but try not to worry. Good luck with your appointment and let me know how you get on.
sophie x

[sunsocks]

I had my last two lumps done under local anaesthetic and was almost expecting to feel nothing at all - in fact the anaesthetic removed all the pain but you could still feel a sort of 'rummaging around'. Took a maximum of 40 mins to do them both

I would recommend that you wear a bra 24/7 for the first few weeks, if you are larger than a b or c cup, just to give a bit more support. This should help to keep the scar to a minimum.

Dont make the mistake that I made in trying to utilise the time off work to make some home improvements - stripping wallpaper the next day stretched the stitches .... Get armed with some good books and dvds and make sure you are waited on 'hand and foot'
Good luck - but you won't need it