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Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: What to Expect at Home

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Your Recovery

Right after the surgery you will probably feel weak, and your shoulder area will feel sore and stiff for a few days. It may be hard to move your arm and shoulder in all directions. Your doctor or physical therapist will teach you some arm exercises. You now have a higher chance of swelling in the affected arm. This is called lymphedema. From now on, you will have to be careful when using your arm.

You will have a scar under your arm that will fade over time. You may also notice a hollow area in your armpit. It may also feel like you have a lump in your armpit. You may lose some feeling under your arm, or the arm may have a tingling or burning feeling. The loss of feeling may last only a little while, or it may last the rest of your life.

You will probably be able to go back to work or your normal routine in 3 to 6 weeks. This depends on the type of work you do and any further treatment. If cancer was found in the lymph nodes, you will probably need more treatment.

An axillary node dissection may be done at the same time as other breast cancer surgeries. If this is the case, your recovery may be different.

When you find out that you have cancer, you may feel many emotions and may need some help coping. Seek out family, friends, and counselors for support. You also can do things at home to make yourself feel better while you go through treatment. Call the American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345) or visit its website at www.cancer.org for more information.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

 
  • Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
  • Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation.
  • Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weightlifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay. This includes housework, especially if you have to use your affected arm. You will probably be able to do your normal activities in 3 to 6 weeks. But for the next 3 to 6 months, be careful when you do tasks that use the same motions over and over, such as vacuuming, weed pulling, and window cleaning.
  • For 4 to 6 weeks, avoid lifting anything that weighs more than 10 to 15 pounds or that would make you strain. This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child.
  • Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
  • You will probably be able to go back to work or your normal routine in 3 to 6 weeks. It will also depend on the type of work you do and any further treatment.
  • You may be able to take showers (unless you have a drain in your incision) 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Pat the cut (incision) dry. Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay. If you have a drain coming out of your incision, follow your doctor's instructions to empty and care for it.
  • Take precautions to prevent infection and swelling in your arm. This is called lymphedema.
    • Wear gloves when you garden, handle garbage, wash dishes, and clean house.
    • Protect your hands and arms from burns, including sunburns.
    • Do not wear tight sleeves, elastic cuffs, bracelets, wristwatches, or rings on the affected arm.
    • Do not let anyone take blood pressure, draw blood, or give shots in that arm.
    • Do not carry heavy purses, suitcases, grocery bags, and other heavy items with that arm.
    • Keep the skin of that arm well moisturized.
    • Do not cut your cuticles.
    • Use an electric shaver if you shave your armpits.
    • Protect yourself from insect bites on the arm.
    • Wear medical alert jewelry that says you can develop lymphedema. You can buy this at most drugstores and on the Internet.

Diet

 
  • You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
  • You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fiber supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

Medicines

 
  • Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. He or she will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
  • If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
  • Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
    • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
    • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
  • If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
    • Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
    • Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.

Incision care

 
  • If you have strips of tape on the cut (incision) the doctor made, leave the tape on for a week or until it falls off.
  • After 24 to 48 hours, wash the area daily with warm, soapy water and pat it dry. Keep the area clean and dry.
  • You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it weeps or rubs against clothing. Change the bandage every day.

Exercise

 
  • You will need to do arm exercises once your doctor tells you it is okay. Do the range-of-motion exercises as instructed by your doctor.

Elevation

  • Prop up your arm on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.

Other instructions

 
  • You may have a drain in your armpit. Follow your doctor's instructions to empty and care for it.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

  • You passed out (lost consciousness).
  • You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
  • You cannot pass stools or gas.
  • You are sick to your stomach or cannot drink fluids.
  • You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
    • Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
    • Redness or swelling in your leg.
  • You have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
  • Bright red blood has soaked through the bandage over your incision.
  • You have signs of infection, such as:
    • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
    • Red streaks leading from the incision.
    • Pus draining from the incision.
    • A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • You have any problems.
  • You have new or worse swelling or pain in your arm.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter L189 in the search box to learn more about "Axillary Lymph Node Dissection: What to Expect at Home".

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.