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MASTECTOMY

PREPARING FOR A MASTECTOMY

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For those with early-stage breast cancer, a mastectomy may be one treatment option. This is where the full breast is excised with a few lympnodes around the area.  Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), in which only the tumor is removed from the breast, may be another option.

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STEPS TO BOOKING:

  1. Obtain a referral form from your physician

  2. Book an appointment with our office

  3. If you are using insurance (Present insurance Card)

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MEET THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST

  • Consultation booking

  • Laboratory and Imaging test completed

  • Preoperative questionnaire

   

THE DAY BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE:​

  • Fast 12 hours prior to surgery

  • Remember to leave all valuables at home (jewelry, money etc.)

  • Refrain from smoking and use of alcoholic beverages

  • Shower the morning of the procedure

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SURGERY TIMELINE:

  • Patient assessment about 45 minutes after check in

  • Anesthesia takes about 15 minutes

  • Surgery takes about 1-2 hours (depending on type and number of mastectomy)

  • Recovery requires about 1 hour

  • Upon clearance by the doctor the patient is released

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RESULTS TIMELINE:

  • Specimen taken to the laboratory by the patient 

  • Post operative guidelines given

  • Follow-up care

 

 

I'm ready to begin...

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

BENEFITS: 

  • To reduce the risk of cancer recurrence to between 1 percent and 3 percent. However, women may need radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy after the surgery.

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS & RISK:

  • Infection 

  • Bleeding 

  • Cosmetic changes/ tissues including flap necrosis, axillary, redundant tissue

  • Fluid accumulation in the operative site which may require aspirations 

  • Lymph-edema

  • Possible numbness near the incision or behind the arm, nerve damage producing weak muscles 

  • Pain

  • Although the risks and complications may occur only very rarely they do sometimes occur and cannot be predicted or prevented by the physician 

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POSTOPERATIVE CARE GUIDELINES:

 

Wound care

  • Do not remove the dressing, steri- strips or stitches 

  • If the strips fall off do not replace them. Call the Doctor

  • You may shower one day after the drain (s) is out  

  • Be careful not to touch or remove the steri-strips or structures 

  • Bruising and some swelling is normal for some women

  • A low-grade fever under 100 degrees Fahrenheit is normal 

  • You will have a Jackson- Pratt drain the day after your surgery 

       

Activity​

  • Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting and vigorous exercise until the stitches are removed 

  • Walking is a normal activity that can be restarted a day 

  • Following a lymph node dissection, don't avoid using your arm, but don't exercise it until your first post operative visit 

  • Discuss returning activities with us 

  • You cannot do housework or drive until the rain is out 

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Diet â€‹

  • You may resume your regular diet as soon as you can 

  • We encourage eight to ten glasses of water and non caffeinated beverages per day, plenty fruits and vegetables as well as lower fat foods

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When to contact Us 

  • Pain is not relived by medication

  • Fever is more tan 100 degrees Fahrenheit or chills 

  • Excessive Bleeding and bloody dressing 

  • Excessive swelling 

  • Redness outside the dressing 

  • Discharge or bad odor from the wound 

  • Allergic or other reactions to medication 

  • Constipation 

  • Anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, need more support

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