My mom just had a lumpectomy and they took out the sentinal node and two other lymphnodes.?

Today she went to the followup appt and the surgeon was going to review the pathology report with her. She was shocked when he told her he was going to have to do surgery, and she said he said something about going in and putting in some kind of drain tube, but since she was dazed about it she couldn't remember why he was doing this. Do you know why he would be doing this? I'm a little concerned because she can't remember.

Your mum MUST talk this over with a professional, nobody here can give you the answer to your question. She should phone the hospital , or perhaps see her her GP should have received details of her report.

It's always advisable to take someone along to appointments where you will be getting information; my friend used to come with me and write down every word the doctor said because I was often too shocked, upset or confused to take it in.

Best wishes to you and your mum.

When lymph nodes are removed there can be a build up of fluid (swelling) in the tissues. The lymph nodes usually take care of this lymph-edema(swelling) as well as help the body get rid of viruses, bacteria etc. Is your mom having alot of swelling in the arm on that side? The Dr. may want to insert a drain to help her body to get rid of the extra fluid. There are several types of drains. A JP drain is used alot in this situation. It is just a small plastic tube coming out of the surgical site that has a small round plastic bulb on the end. When you squeeze the bulb and shut the stopper it provides suction. It is easily emptied by opening the stopper. I have had one of these in before. They put them in while you are asleep, and really aren't painful once in place. I hope this helps. Good luck to you and your mom.

Better clear it up with his surgeon what kind of surgery will be performed. If the biopsy is positive for malignancy, the surgery maybe mastectomy.