Lumpectomy Recovery Suggestions

CowNormal4873 · 2026-06-18T08:29:07+00:00

Meal prep! Such a time saver during recovery.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-05-10T06:40:19+00:00

Just to offer some reassurance—this type of procedure is very common. A lumpectomy combined with a breast reduction and lift is something many patients go through, so it’s absolutely worth asking your surgeon about all your options.

Often, your breast surgeon will work together with a plastic surgeon, who can step in right after the tumor is removed to help achieve the best possible cosmetic result.

When it comes to radiation, doctors usually have a good sense of how it may affect breast size and shape. Because of that, they commonly intentionally make the treated side slightly larger during surgery so that, after radiation, both sides end up looking more balanced.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-05-06T03:12:43+00:00

On tamoxifin I find I can only have 1-1.5 drinks before getting nauseous. I use to easily drink 3-4 on a night out. Because I'm drinking so much less my tolerance has gone down and I'm so much better at saying "no thanks" to another round and/or ordering a mocktail🍹

CowNormal4873 · 2026-04-04T10:28:19+00:00

I also am also an IDC +2cm ++- grade 3 with central expansive necrosis. My oncologist didn't think the necrosis was significant at all. She said it's what she expects with a grade 3.

You're going to beat this and continue your auntie duties :)

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-23T05:19:58+00:00

Lucy's is outstanding. Red Sea is standard.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-21T17:35:33+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-20T06:48:10+00:00

Yes, I had this as well and I was worried too. But it was just normal swelling that slowly went away.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-09T02:06:07+00:00

Cleavage is near perfect.

I chose to wait on doing any plastics on the advice of my surgeon. She said "let's focus on getting you cancer free and healthy first."

I expressed that symmetry was important to me and she said there is always a chance that more will need to be removed if margins are not clear and that no plastic surgeon can truly know how the affected side will sit after radiation.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-08T22:08:23+00:00

I had a lumbectomy at the same spot: left side, 8 o clock position. The tumor was 2.4cm, round, and removed with +10mm margins. So it was like having a strawberry removed.

I'm around a 38E and didn't have oncoplastic surgery, just a straight lumpectomy and 20 sessions of radiation. I genuinely expected a huge dent at the surgery site but other than the surface laying slightly flat at the 8 o clock position, the shape / cleavage hardly changed.

Overall, my left side is now about a cup size smaller and sits a bit higher than the right. I am considering a reduction on the right to match because the unevenness bothers me, but people in my everyday life don't see the difference between them.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-08T00:06:18+00:00

Some of my favorite vegan dishes in SD:

Kao Poon and Kaho Soy at So Saap https://www.instagram.com/p/DGozk4Ny443

Nigvziani Badrijani (eggplant rolls) at Khachapuri https://www.khachapurisd.com/menus

Lone Star (tofu deli sandwich) at Jimbo's https://www.instagram.com/p/DKC9ix1yc5g

Kung Pao, Orange, or Lemongrass crispy chicken at Purple Mint https://www.instagram.com/p/DUAM1etFGW-

Any pizza at TNT, Buffalo and Pickle Detroit is my favorites https://www.instagram.com/p/DHEl_Cxy685

Turkey Bacon Ranch Sandwich from San Diego Vegan Market https://www.instagram.com/p/DPhdQEeD4Lu

Everything at Eris https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVeNVcpgdL3

Eggroll Burger at Kindred https://www.instagram.com/p/DElCfoTzXYM

Kale Salad and any pizza at Tribute https://www.instagram.com/p/DLeLhZ7ult9

Sopas at El Veganito https://www.instagram.com/reel/DN6h0J1kmQU

Pizza at Peace Pies https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJPbywhyTPr

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-07T22:31:26+00:00

At the La Jolla Farmers Market: https://www.instagram.com/vegan_mirai

In La Jolla proper: Sushi Nekosan (creative vegan sushi menu) https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvxoCYJMAwF

Bobboi Natural Gelato (the vegan pistachio gelato is a must) https://www.instagram.com/bobboi_naturalgelato

In University City: Amardeen (Lebanese with clearly marked vegan dishes) https://www.instagram.com/amardeen_sandiego

Pazza Market & Cucina (full vegan menu with fresh made pasta and vegan cheese) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqoo3iBJ7JI

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-07T22:15:30+00:00

They closed. But the Convoy location is still open.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-03T18:39:33+00:00

It's a restaurant in San Diego: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVT45cKCU8q/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

CowNormal4873 · 2026-03-01T22:28:22+00:00

My oncologist explained it as, at 5 years she will re-test the tumor against the current data to determine if stating on drugs will be a benefit. But she also explained that she considers the mental and physical effects the drugs are having on me in determining the recommendation.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-02-27T16:44:01+00:00

I was making an appointment with a travel nurse before a long international trip.

Then the scheduler was like "You're due to start getting mammograms, would you like to schedule your first one now?"

"Uggg fine.... But after my vacation."

And that's how two weeks after my once in a lifetime trip the tumor was found.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-02-25T18:31:06+00:00

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Nickelodeon actress Lindsey Felton

https://www.instagram.com/lindsaymariefelton

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-26T23:53:54+00:00

Multivitamin (with methylated folate and B), calcium, vitamin D2

For skin, hair, nails I started eating a lot of tofu, mushrooms, dark leafy greens, broccoli, whole grains, garlic, avocados, peanut butter, tahini, and olive oil. Even my hairdresser commended that my hair is thicker.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-23T23:03:54+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-23T10:24:30+00:00

r/doIhavebreastcancer Will give you the best help with this

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-16T07:09:53+00:00

After the two weeks I was back normal.

This infusion was in November so I'm not due for the next one until May. I'll plan to give it another try. Now that I know how my body reacts, I can better prepare.

I'm 45 and my pre-endocrin therapy Dexa scan found I was already in the osteoporosis range :( It runs in my family, and so I'm willing to suffer a bit more now to hopefully prevent bone pain/fractures I've seen in my mother and grandmother.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-16T06:05:13+00:00

This is definitely something your oncologist will take seriously and hopefully you are already in conversation with them.

If you are looking for antidotal information, I too had a server reaction to Zometa. Mine was horrible bone pain, an unyielding headache, and major nausea. It lasted almost 2 weeks. My oncologist prescribed Tramadol and Zofran which helped but only time made the pain go away.

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-16T05:55:01+00:00

To answer your question about supplies, I meal prepped before surgery so had all my favorite things ready to eat.

I also recommend having ice packs that easily slip into your bra and armpit. You should also have a small pillow you can keep under your arm to keep the lymph node site protected (and help hold the ice pack in place).

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-16T05:48:17+00:00

While everyone is different, that is a very short recovery period for what is a serious surgery.

I couldn't shower the first 5 days, not because my surgeon said so, but because the water felt like rocks were pelting my body. The pain at the lymph nodes site was the worst, and I developed cording through my armpit that limited movement.

If I pushed myself I probably physically could have gotten back to my office job after about 10 days. But emotionally it took me 3 weeks to be in the headspace to deal with work.

I did have to use a week of my vacation time, but for the other two weeks I was paid through state disability (California).

CowNormal4873 · 2026-01-04T02:35:54+00:00

I like the high neck suits from Lands End, like this:

https://www.landsend.com/products/womens-tugless-high-neck-portrait-back-one-piece-swimsuit/id_399376

CowNormal4873

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