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Days 1-3 After Breast Cancer Surgery (Lumpectomy & Mastectomy)

Yerbba – Breast Cancer

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Getting ready for breast cancer surgery or recovering right now? In this video, we walk through what to expect after a lumpectomy or mastectomy, including what happens when lymph nodes are removed, so you’re not left guessing.

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We cover:
• Going home with dressings and drains
• How to care for your wounds and when to call your medical team
• Why recovery times vary from person to person
• When and how to start moving your arm and shoulder safely
• The emotional impact of seeing your body after surgery
• Early signs of lymphedema and why reporting symptoms matters

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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:19 Drains and Dressings
2:54 Wound Instructions
3:46 Recovery Times
4:12 Movement After Surgery
5:40 Emotional Recovery
7:01 Report Symptoms

Disclaimer: Yerbba YouTube videos are for informational purposes only, do not constitute medical advice, and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical team, mental health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition.

18 Comments

@yerbba Creator 9 months ago Pinned

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@Vantasticviews2 10 months ago

I know every woman’s experience is different but I had a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy in May of this year and it was much easier to recover from than I anticipated. My incision was closed with Dermabond and the lymph node biopsy was accessed via the lumpectomy incision. No surgical pain whatsoever. However, I did have radiation after surgery and now have intermittent pain due to nerve damage. It’s nothing that affects my day to day life, and it’s a reminder that while occasionally uncomfortable, I’m ALIVE to feel that discomfort. Everything is a trade off. Hoping all who are getting prepped for surgery have as good an experience as I did. Big thanks to my surgeon and entire care team! ❤

@seg112380 10 months ago

Just a comment to encourage all my sisters out there who are about to have surgery: I had a lumpectomy to remove two tumors and the sentinel lymph node in October 2025 at age 44. It was my first time having any type of surgery, and I was very nervous about it, but I found recovery to be smooth. I never had more than moderate pain - Tylenol was enough after the first 24 hours. The first two days I had pretty limited movement of the shoulder on the surgical side, but by day 3 I was able to start doing gentle exercises and stretches to start recovering my range of motion. By the end of the first week I felt pretty much normal, and by the end of the second week I was getting back to my usual upper body strength exercise routine. I would highly recommend taking at least a week off from work if you can manage it, because going easy on my body and getting extra sleep really helped make my recovery easier. Sending my love to everyone experiencing cancer and everyone who loves someone who is experiencing cancer.

@craigkeller 10 months ago

Many thanks to Dr Griggs and the women who have shared their experiences. It really helps lower our stress levels. We’re scheduled for surgery next week.

@naththomas9946 10 months ago

Thank you, Dr Griggs, for your continuous support for breast cancer patients.

@vickit3124 10 months ago

I had bilateral breast cancers. My surgery was a lumpectomy on one side and a skin sparing mastectomy with expander on the other side plus sentinel node removal on both sides. I have to say that the lumpectomy side surgery was a breeze in comparison to the mastectomy. And six months later the implant exchange was really easy to recover from. It’s all relative I guess 😊

@Dalabombana 10 months ago (edited)

I had a nipple sparing mastectomy with reconstruction. I had a small
Implant and whilst was nervous having a foreign body in me, I shouldn’t have been (of course would prefer a real breast but this was the safest option recovery wise for me) …the recovery is fairly fast… the drain was the most annoying thing, but it was only a week. I am 1 week and 4 days out and feel physically ok. Bit sore where I had nodes remove but breast is numb so no pain at all.

I also had magtrace instead of the nuclear medicine tracer option for sentinel node biopsy, which I recommend for better peace of mind. It is quick and painless and can be administered up to 3 weeks prior to surgery (after all MRI completed). It has the potential (for some patients not all) to save unnecessary node removal.

@breakwhiskey2863 5 months ago

Thank you Doctor....❤

@jl6756 10 months ago

Thanks doctor for this helpful video. I had bi-lateral lumpectomies July 2025 with 2 sentinel lymph nodes removed on each side. Right at the 12 oclock position and left at the 9 oclock position. I prefer not to tell all the details other than to say it was a day surgery, I went home about 5 p.m. I did not need pain meds however, I feel I did not take enough FMLA. I returned back to work 3 weeks later however I felt I should have taken another week. I got tired very quickly and returning to full days was alot. I was 63 so it might be age related. No complications to speak off and I went on to radiation in Sept. We do what we need too just to get through it.

@victoriajaneke2350 5 months ago

The thing I find the most aggravating is the control I lost in my shoulder affecting my fine motor skills after lymph nodes (6) being removed. My writing and painting skills i.e. fine motor skills has been affected.
The op and healing was not a big thing but I am angry about the skill lost.

@ajk2009 5 months ago

❤ thank you 👍🏻 very thorough and helpful

@neshatkoly7501 10 months ago

I had a masaktomy in Jen.during and post I don't have much problems. but now my hand is sawling.numness

@bethphillips9693 3 months ago

I had a lumpectomy with bilateral breast reduction in early May. I immediately developed an infection - my body was spitting stitches and the entire incision was painful, red, irritated because of an apparent (unknown) allergy to adhesives/sutures. I did not have drains but I had copious drainage from both breasts. The incisions pulled apart (dehiscence) because many of the steri strips and sutures were removed. I ended up with large open wounds under each breast. It was pretty horrifying. I live alone so had to change bandages 2 to 3 times a day for 4 weeks. I am finally bandage free but still have healing wounds. I didn't anticipate any of this.

@mindydavis9132 10 months ago

i’m 8 months post mastectomy for a late local recurrence ~ and worried about the excisional area being lumpy and bumpy . I noticed it during the healing process and my surg onc has as well . i will be seeing her soon as i can’t help but feel overly anxious and concerned as the last thing i want is a 3rd recurrence 😢

@annangosi4391 10 months ago (edited)

I am here after my cousin brother is diagnosed with breast cancer.
A very difficult situation because he has been in ICE DETENTION (USA) since September 2024.
He has no family in the USA.
I live in France
Could you help?

@sharinebright 10 months ago

Hello doctor, I am diagonised with IDC II A, in my left breast and have undergone BCS two weeks back, I am HR +ve, Her2 -, with ki 67 32%, no nodes involved, Doctor advised for 8 cycles of Chemo and other doctor said 4 cycles is enough for my stage, also advised for oncotypeDX test, I should know, is that test reliable for deciding on chemo or can i go for direct chemo without OncotypeDX. Pls advice

@clorrainejohnson 7 months ago

Thank you for your videos. You have such a calming, sweet voice and it is just very comforting during this time. I also appreciate your easy to understand explanations. ❤️