After undergoing a lumpectomy, you hope your breasts will heal and stay healthy. If you start to notice changes to your breasts after surgery, it’s natural to worry about what’s normal and when you should call your doctor.

One MyBCTeam member shared these concerns with the community. “The breast where I had a lumpectomy about one and a half months ago is changing. My nipple is changing color. The skin is darkening, but sort of red at the same time. My lumpectomy incision isn’t in this area. Is this normal?” they asked.

Most breast changes after a lumpectomy are normal and no cause for concern. However, any changes you’re concerned about can always be brought to your doctor. We’ll discuss the different kinds of changes you can expect and when to talk to your doctor.

Factors That Affect Breast Cancer Surgery Side Effects

Most people who receive a breast cancer diagnosis will undergo a lumpectomy (partial removal of the breast) or a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast). Some people choose a lumpectomy (also called breast-conserving surgery, or BCS) to keep most of the breast and remove only the tumor. It’s common to receive radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both before or after the surgery to further reduce the risk of your breast cancer returning.

This variation in breast cancer treatment makes it hard to predict exactly what changes you’ll experience. Your surgery side effects may vary depending on whether you had lymph nodes removed and, if so, how many. Whether you had chemotherapy or radiotherapy can also be a factor.

Breast Changes After a Lumpectomy

Although breast changes and side effects can vary, here are some common ones you can look out for.

1. Discoloration or Tenderness in the Breast

Your lumpectomy involved a surgical incision, so you might see changes in or near the area of surgery. These include increased sensitivity, discoloration, or tenderness that are part of a normal recovery. Many people receive a lumpectomy as an outpatient procedure and recover after a few days.

Normal tenderness should go away after two or three days, so if it lasts longer, you should call your doctor. Discoloration or bruising might continue for a couple of weeks, but this is still normal.

2. Size Changes

A lumpectomy aims to preserve breast tissue, but the appearance of your breast after surgery will depend on the tumor size, breast shape, and amount of tissue removed. Many people choose this surgery for cosmetic reasons, but changes in size are normal.

Some people notice firmness or swelling that can make the breast appear larger at first. Once the swelling goes down, your breast may look smaller. Over time, it’s common for the treated breast to be smaller than the other.

A plastic surgeon or breast surgeon who can perform breast reconstruction surgery can easily treat a difference in breast size.

One MyBCTeam member comforted another who was worried about size after lumpectomy: “Please don’t worry. This is a very common problem after surgery, especially with radiotherapy. My breasts are totally different sizes, but I’m fine with this. Thank goodness I’m lucky to have both still, even if they are different.”

As your breast tissue heals, the size changes can become more noticeable. New, sudden changes in size could be caused by swelling and could indicate other underlying problems. Be sure to let your doctor know about sudden or new changes.

3. Discharge, Fluid, or Swelling

Fluid buildup in your breast — called a seroma — could also cause pain, discoloration, and changes in breast size. After a lumpectomy, fluid can build up in the breast where the tissue was removed, causing swelling and discharge from the nipple or the surgical site.

Waiting for the swelling to subside may require patience. “I’m six months post lumpectomy and radiation, and the swelling is finally starting to go down,” shared one member. “My bra wants to ride up on one side. Lol. I’m forever pulling it back down.

Seromas can go away on their own in a month or so. If you notice excessive swelling or pressure, discoloration, hot skin, or increased pain after a few days, call your doctor. They can drain the fluid that’s collected in your breast.

4. Bleeding

Having a small amount of blood on the surgical dressing after your operation is common and shouldn’t be a cause for worry. However, if you have heavy bleeding or clots, call your doctor or nurse right away. Light bleeding is also temporary. Any bleeding and discoloration beyond a couple of days could indicate a more serious problem.

Bleeding under your skin, called a hematoma, can appear like a bruise. Usually, hematomas go away on their own, but it’s important to let your doctor know if you notice one because they may need to drain it.

5. Skin and Texture Changes

Your breast skin may look and feel different after a lumpectomy, especially if you also had chemo or radiation treatments. Your skin might have a rougher and thicker texture, and you may notice dimples in the skin as the incision area and breast tissue heal.

Since your breast contains scar tissue from the surgery, you may also notice changes to the firmness or softness of your breast. Feeling a tender lump that begins to turn hard is normal — it’s the incision site healing and not a return of your cancer. Scar tissue often feels a lot denser than normal tissue.

Call your doctor anytime you experience prolonged pain or if you notice a texture change much later after your lumpectomy procedure.

6. Nerve Pain

After surgery, as your nerves regrow and heal, you might notice your breast is more sensitive to touch. You might have a crawling or itching sensation or numbness as your body heals. Sensations like these are normal.

Some people experience burning or shooting pain in their chest or armpit that may not go away over time. If you’re ever concerned, talk to your doctor about treatment options for continued pain. Any prolonged or serious pain may indicate another underlying complication.

7. Signs of Infection After Breast Surgery

After any surgical procedure, you have a risk of developing an infection. Sometimes, discoloration or tenderness could be signs of infection. Here are some additional signs of infection after lumpectomy:

• You notice swelling.
• Your breast feels warm to the touch.
• You develop fever or chills.
• You start to feel generally unwell.

Infections may need to be treated with antibiotics, so it’s important to call your doctor right away because, unlike seroma, this complication does not resolve on its own.

One MyBCTeam member experienced an infection and identified it by unusual redness and fever. “I had a lumpectomy with infection,” they wrote. “I had redness accompanied by pain and a low-grade fever. I needed antibiotics and aspirations to drain the fluids. The process doesn’t hurt. Don’t hold back and think it gets better by itself.”

How Long After Breast Surgery Can You Get an Infection?

You can develop an infection at any point after the surgery until the wound heals. It can take around two to three weeks for the skin to heal and up to 10 weeks for the stitches to dissolve. During this time, you should follow your doctor’s and surgical care team’s instructions for caring for your wound. This can prevent an infection.

When To Check With Your Doctor

Every person’s experience after a lumpectomy is different. MyBCTeam members share a variety of experiences and concerns as they heal after breast cancer surgery.

They also regularly encourage each other to ask their doctor about any changes that they notice. “It’s better to call for nothing than not call, and something is wrong,” stated one member.

Many changes after a lumpectomy are normal, but it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor if you’re experiencing new or concerning symptoms. Your healthcare provider is your best resource if you ever have a question or concern about your breasts after your lumpectomy.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Did you experience any of the above changes after lumpectomy? Let others know in the comments below.