armpit slnb this week, what to expect, what complications possible

I had a SNLB under my left arm and two wide local excisions on my left breast about a month ago.  I have to say the SNLB site was a little swollen and sore.  I was so terrified it would be painful so I rotated ibuprofen and vicodin alternately every three hours.  I took it very easy for the first three days, I had the procedure on a Friday and took a shower on Sunday morning.  I was baking Christmas cookies and wrapping presents less than a week later!  I am sure every ones recovery and pain is different, just listen to your body and don't rush things.  Also….my friend gave me an amazing gel pack thing you can put in the freezer and it gets cold but doesn't get hard like ice…that thing was my savior…better then meds!  Good luck, keep us posted!!!!

I had a SNLB under my left arm and two wide local excisions on my left breast about a month ago.  I have to say the SNLB site was a little swollen and sore.  I was so terrified it would be painful so I rotated ibuprofen and vicodin alternately every three hours.  I took it very easy for the first three days, I had the procedure on a Friday and took a shower on Sunday morning.  I was baking Christmas cookies and wrapping presents less than a week later!  I am sure every ones recovery and pain is different, just listen to your body and don't rush things.  Also….my friend gave me an amazing gel pack thing you can put in the freezer and it gets cold but doesn't get hard like ice…that thing was my savior…better then meds!  Good luck, keep us posted!!!!

I had a SNLB under my left arm and two wide local excisions on my left breast about a month ago.  I have to say the SNLB site was a little swollen and sore.  I was so terrified it would be painful so I rotated ibuprofen and vicodin alternately every three hours.  I took it very easy for the first three days, I had the procedure on a Friday and took a shower on Sunday morning.  I was baking Christmas cookies and wrapping presents less than a week later!  I am sure every ones recovery and pain is different, just listen to your body and don't rush things.  Also….my friend gave me an amazing gel pack thing you can put in the freezer and it gets cold but doesn't get hard like ice…that thing was my savior…better then meds!  Good luck, keep us posted!!!!

Hi.   I had my SNB and wide local excision almost 7 years ago.   I think every surgeon has different follow-up protocol, how long before you shower, how long before you drive, what kind of meds you go home with—I'm sure you will be provided that information based on how your surgery goes, how many stitches/staples, and if you have to have a drainage tube to tend to at home (if you do, you'll be able to handle that, it's unnerving and a bit of hassle, but soon this, too, shall pass!)

My simple little suggestions are button down clothing, so that you don't have to raise your arm up over your head to get dressed.   I got a few larger button down shirts (I'm female) and I also got a few larger type tank, spaghetti-strap tops, that I could actually step into.   I'm sorry that I can't remember the pain level, but I know, for me, that the pains and pangs can come and go, and the numbness, too.   It felt like my underarm fell asleep, but not anymore.   I know I didn't have to rely on the Rx'd pain medication for very long at all, like maybe 2 or 3 days, and switched to tylenol.   I found lying down difficult, and was comfortable with my arm elevated on pillows (or the armrest) in a barco-lounge type furniture at first.   I slept there initially.      I felt like I could have gone back to work in two weeks (I was a teaching assistant at the time), but was off for four weeks—probably not really necessary that long.

It was a while ago.  Sorry I can't be more specific about recovery, but the clothing tips should be helpful.   Good luck and let us know what the pathology turns out for you.  Wishing you the best.

CarolA – Stage III since Feb '05 

Hi.   I had my SNB and wide local excision almost 7 years ago.   I think every surgeon has different follow-up protocol, how long before you shower, how long before you drive, what kind of meds you go home with—I'm sure you will be provided that information based on how your surgery goes, how many stitches/staples, and if you have to have a drainage tube to tend to at home (if you do, you'll be able to handle that, it's unnerving and a bit of hassle, but soon this, too, shall pass!)

My simple little suggestions are button down clothing, so that you don't have to raise your arm up over your head to get dressed.   I got a few larger button down shirts (I'm female) and I also got a few larger type tank, spaghetti-strap tops, that I could actually step into.   I'm sorry that I can't remember the pain level, but I know, for me, that the pains and pangs can come and go, and the numbness, too.   It felt like my underarm fell asleep, but not anymore.   I know I didn't have to rely on the Rx'd pain medication for very long at all, like maybe 2 or 3 days, and switched to tylenol.   I found lying down difficult, and was comfortable with my arm elevated on pillows (or the armrest) in a barco-lounge type furniture at first.   I slept there initially.      I felt like I could have gone back to work in two weeks (I was a teaching assistant at the time), but was off for four weeks—probably not really necessary that long.

It was a while ago.  Sorry I can't be more specific about recovery, but the clothing tips should be helpful.   Good luck and let us know what the pathology turns out for you.  Wishing you the best.

CarolA – Stage III since Feb '05 

Hi.   I had my SNB and wide local excision almost 7 years ago.   I think every surgeon has different follow-up protocol, how long before you shower, how long before you drive, what kind of meds you go home with—I'm sure you will be provided that information based on how your surgery goes, how many stitches/staples, and if you have to have a drainage tube to tend to at home (if you do, you'll be able to handle that, it's unnerving and a bit of hassle, but soon this, too, shall pass!)

My simple little suggestions are button down clothing, so that you don't have to raise your arm up over your head to get dressed.   I got a few larger button down shirts (I'm female) and I also got a few larger type tank, spaghetti-strap tops, that I could actually step into.   I'm sorry that I can't remember the pain level, but I know, for me, that the pains and pangs can come and go, and the numbness, too.   It felt like my underarm fell asleep, but not anymore.   I know I didn't have to rely on the Rx'd pain medication for very long at all, like maybe 2 or 3 days, and switched to tylenol.   I found lying down difficult, and was comfortable with my arm elevated on pillows (or the armrest) in a barco-lounge type furniture at first.   I slept there initially.      I felt like I could have gone back to work in two weeks (I was a teaching assistant at the time), but was off for four weeks—probably not really necessary that long.

It was a while ago.  Sorry I can't be more specific about recovery, but the clothing tips should be helpful.   Good luck and let us know what the pathology turns out for you.  Wishing you the best.

CarolA – Stage III since Feb '05 

Hi.   I had my SNB and wide local excision almost 7 years ago.   I think every surgeon has different follow-up protocol, how long before you shower, how long before you drive, what kind of meds you go home with—I'm sure you will be provided that information based on how your surgery goes, how many stitches/staples, and if you have to have a drainage tube to tend to at home (if you do, you'll be able to handle that, it's unnerving and a bit of hassle, but soon this, too, shall pass!)

My simple little suggestions are button down clothing, so that you don't have to raise your arm up over your head to get dressed.   I got a few larger button down shirts (I'm female) and I also got a few larger type tank, spaghetti-strap tops, that I could actually step into.   I'm sorry that I can't remember the pain level, but I know, for me, that the pains and pangs can come and go, and the numbness, too.   It felt like my underarm fell asleep, but not anymore.   I know I didn't have to rely on the Rx'd pain medication for very long at all, like maybe 2 or 3 days, and switched to tylenol.   I found lying down difficult, and was comfortable with my arm elevated on pillows (or the armrest) in a barco-lounge type furniture at first.   I slept there initially.      I felt like I could have gone back to work in two weeks (I was a teaching assistant at the time), but was off for four weeks—probably not really necessary that long.

It was a while ago.  Sorry I can't be more specific about recovery, but the clothing tips should be helpful.   Good luck and let us know what the pathology turns out for you.  Wishing you the best.

CarolA – Stage III since Feb '05 

Hi.   I had my SNB and wide local excision almost 7 years ago.   I think every surgeon has different follow-up protocol, how long before you shower, how long before you drive, what kind of meds you go home with—I'm sure you will be provided that information based on how your surgery goes, how many stitches/staples, and if you have to have a drainage tube to tend to at home (if you do, you'll be able to handle that, it's unnerving and a bit of hassle, but soon this, too, shall pass!)

My simple little suggestions are button down clothing, so that you don't have to raise your arm up over your head to get dressed.   I got a few larger button down shirts (I'm female) and I also got a few larger type tank, spaghetti-strap tops, that I could actually step into.   I'm sorry that I can't remember the pain level, but I know, for me, that the pains and pangs can come and go, and the numbness, too.   It felt like my underarm fell asleep, but not anymore.   I know I didn't have to rely on the Rx'd pain medication for very long at all, like maybe 2 or 3 days, and switched to tylenol.   I found lying down difficult, and was comfortable with my arm elevated on pillows (or the armrest) in a barco-lounge type furniture at first.   I slept there initially.      I felt like I could have gone back to work in two weeks (I was a teaching assistant at the time), but was off for four weeks—probably not really necessary that long.

It was a while ago.  Sorry I can't be more specific about recovery, but the clothing tips should be helpful.   Good luck and let us know what the pathology turns out for you.  Wishing you the best.

CarolA – Stage III since Feb '05 

Hi.   I had my SNB and wide local excision almost 7 years ago.   I think every surgeon has different follow-up protocol, how long before you shower, how long before you drive, what kind of meds you go home with—I'm sure you will be provided that information based on how your surgery goes, how many stitches/staples, and if you have to have a drainage tube to tend to at home (if you do, you'll be able to handle that, it's unnerving and a bit of hassle, but soon this, too, shall pass!)

My simple little suggestions are button down clothing, so that you don't have to raise your arm up over your head to get dressed.   I got a few larger button down shirts (I'm female) and I also got a few larger type tank, spaghetti-strap tops, that I could actually step into.   I'm sorry that I can't remember the pain level, but I know, for me, that the pains and pangs can come and go, and the numbness, too.   It felt like my underarm fell asleep, but not anymore.   I know I didn't have to rely on the Rx'd pain medication for very long at all, like maybe 2 or 3 days, and switched to tylenol.   I found lying down difficult, and was comfortable with my arm elevated on pillows (or the armrest) in a barco-lounge type furniture at first.   I slept there initially.      I felt like I could have gone back to work in two weeks (I was a teaching assistant at the time), but was off for four weeks—probably not really necessary that long.

It was a while ago.  Sorry I can't be more specific about recovery, but the clothing tips should be helpful.   Good luck and let us know what the pathology turns out for you.  Wishing you the best.

CarolA – Stage III since Feb '05 

I found the SNLB a fairly simple surgery.  I had 4 nodes removed.  Not too much pain.  Do keep the arm elevated when you sleep by placing a pillow under it.  They will probably tell you you can shower/bath as long as you keep that area dry.  No reaching or lifting until you get the OK but other than that life as normal.  You should expect any complications but if you see a large amount of swelling or any redness  call you surgeon.  Hope you get nothing but good news!

Mary

Stage 3

I found the SNLB a fairly simple surgery.  I had 4 nodes removed.  Not too much pain.  Do keep the arm elevated when you sleep by placing a pillow under it.  They will probably tell you you can shower/bath as long as you keep that area dry.  No reaching or lifting until you get the OK but other than that life as normal.  You should expect any complications but if you see a large amount of swelling or any redness  call you surgeon.  Hope you get nothing but good news!

Mary

Stage 3

I found the SNLB a fairly simple surgery.  I had 4 nodes removed.  Not too much pain.  Do keep the arm elevated when you sleep by placing a pillow under it.  They will probably tell you you can shower/bath as long as you keep that area dry.  No reaching or lifting until you get the OK but other than that life as normal.  You should expect any complications but if you see a large amount of swelling or any redness  call you surgeon.  Hope you get nothing but good news!

Mary

Stage 3

Regarding the ice pack….it is :

All-Temp Therapy Pack

http://www.nextag.com/all_-_temp-comfort-pack/compare-html

Looks like they come in various sizes….it was perfect because I could postion it in my armpit and the wide excision sites.  Also they look to be fairly inexpensive.  Again..best of luck 🙂

Regarding the ice pack….it is :

All-Temp Therapy Pack

http://www.nextag.com/all_-_temp-comfort-pack/compare-html

Looks like they come in various sizes….it was perfect because I could postion it in my armpit and the wide excision sites.  Also they look to be fairly inexpensive.  Again..best of luck 🙂

Regarding the ice pack….it is :

All-Temp Therapy Pack

http://www.nextag.com/all_-_temp-comfort-pack/compare-html

Looks like they come in various sizes….it was perfect because I could postion it in my armpit and the wide excision sites.  Also they look to be fairly inexpensive.  Again..best of luck 🙂