Indication:
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure where the doctor will be removing your entire breast and the nipple. This is done in most cases as a treatment for breast cancer. Sometimes the skin of the breast may be preserved as part of reconstruction.
Treatments:
You will have presented with a lump in your breast or discharge from the nipple or an ulcer/wound in your breast, retraction of the nipple etc. After a detailed evaluation and examination of your condition the doctor decided to take you for a mastectomy procedure. There are different types of mastectomy:
1. Simple mastectomy - It is the removal of breast tissue and nipple
2. Modified radical mastectomy - It is the removal of the breast, most of the lymph nodes under the arm, and often the lining over the chest muscles
3. Lumpectomy - It is the surgery to remove the tumour and a small amount of normal tissue around it.
4. Skin sparing mastectomy - Majority of the breast skin is preserved.
...
more
Self-care instructions:
Do's and Don't s after mastectomy surgery:
- Clean the surgical wound with mild soap and water and keep it dry. Change the dressing daily. If clips or sutures were put from outside then you will need to visit the doctor for its removal.
- If drains are placed to drain away blood and fluids keep it clean. Note the nature and amount of fluid coming out of it.
- Do not try to wash or scrub surgical tape (Stern-strips) or glue. Let them fall off on their own. Be careful not to touch or remove the stern-strips or sutures.
- Take the medications as prescribed.
- When sitting, keep your arm on the side of your surgery up as high as your heart to help prevent swelling.
- Do not allow anyone to check blood pressure, draw blood or give injection on the side of the surgery.
Common things to expect at home:
- Pain at the surgery site that usually subsides with pain medications.
- Shoulder stiffness, tingling and numbness which get better over time.
- Swelling in the arm on the side of the surgery, lasts longer if appropriate care is not taken initially.
- Blood and fluid may come out through the drain placed at the incision.
- An odd feeling of losing your breast
Side effects/Risks:
- Shoulder stiffness, tingling and numbness
- Swelling in the arm on the side of the surgery called Lymphedema
- Fluid might get collected at the surgery site after the drains are removed which is called a seroma.
- Scabbing, blistering, or skin loss along the edge of the surgical cut
- Other complications of a surgery like blood clots in the legs that might travel to your lungs, blood loss, and reaction to medications, difficulty in breathing, infections of the lungs, kidney, surgical scar etc.
...
more
Call your doctor if you have:
- Temperature above 101.40 F.
- Swelling of the arm on the side you had surgery (lymphedema).
- Surgical wounds are bleeding, are red or warm to the touch, or have a thick, yellow, green, or milky drainage.
- Pain that does not get better with medicines.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Cough that does not go away.
- Difficulty to drink or eat.
...
more
Schedule for Consultations/Diagnostic tests:
You will have to come for follow up on day 7 for wound review and general check up. At this visit you will be given the laboratory report of the specimen that was removed during surgery. You discuss with your doctor about further line of treatment
...
more
Recommended Physical Activities, Do's and Don'ts:
- Do simple exercises to relieve tightness.
- You can start with brisk walking or try a stationary bike.
- Be careful that you do not put weight on your arms. You can try restorative yoga.
- Later you can start vigorous exercise like running, swimming, cycling, hiking, more vigorous styles of yoga and other aerobic exercises.
- Eventually you may be able to work up to 30 minutes, five days a week.
...
more
Full recovery might take 3-6 weeks.
- Do all your routine normal activities except those which need more of physical strain and tension on the side of the surgery.
- For the first few days or weeks after the surgery avoid carrying children and heavy weights.
- Avoid the works which needs your arm on the surgery side raised.
- If you are not on any sedative or pain medications you can even start driving comfortably.
- Do not sit in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub until your doctor tells you it is okay.
- Wear a loose-fitting bra as it may be more comfortable.
...
more
Regular diet can be started as soon as you recover from anesthesia. Initially you have to start with fluids. Have plenty of water, fruits and vegetables as well as low fat foods.
Eat healthy and live happier!!
...
more
