Helpful tips 

How long do you stay in the hospital after a lumpectomy?

Joe Ford

How long do you stay in the hospital after a lumpectomy?

After a lumpectomy, you are moved to a surgery recovery room for a short time until you wake up and are stable. Most women go home with home-care instructions the same day, but a few women have to stay in the hospital for one to two days (especially after axillary node dissection).

Is lumpectomy a major surgery?

A lumpectomy is a common but major surgery with significant risks and potential complications. You may have more effective treatment options for your type and stage of breast cancer. You may also have less invasive treatment options for noncancerous tumors.

What are the side effects of a lumpectomy?

Lumpectomy is a surgical procedure that carries a risk of side effects, including:

  • Bleeding.
  • Infection.
  • Pain.
  • Temporary swelling.
  • Tenderness.
  • Formation of hard scar tissue at the surgical site.
  • Change in the shape and appearance of the breast, particularly if a large portion is removed.

How long after lumpectomy does radiation start?

Radiation therapy usually begins three to eight weeks after surgery unless chemotherapy is planned. When chemotherapy is planned, radiation usually starts three to four weeks after chemotherapy is finished. You will likely have radiation therapy as an outpatient at a hospital or other treatment facility.

Is it normal to have pain months after a lumpectomy?

Some people have pain in their breast, chest, arm or armpit for months or even years after they had surgery. It can happen after any type of breast surgery, including a lumpectomy (wide local excision), mastectomy, lymph node removal and breast reconstruction.

How long does it take to heal after lumpectomy?

Healing time after surgery can range anywhere from a few days to a week. 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.

How long will I have pain after lumpectomy?

For 1 or 2 days after the surgery you will probably feel tired and have some pain. The skin around the cut (incision) may feel firm, swollen, and tender, and be bruised. Tenderness should go away in about 2 or 3 days, and the bruising within 2 weeks. Firmness and swelling may last for 3 to 6 months.

How painful is lumpectomy surgery?

Lumpectomy is performed under anesthesia; hence, the procedure itself is not painful. After the surgery and recovery from anesthesia, patients may experience pain, which usually resolves in a few days and can be minimized with painkillers prescribed by the doctor.