Breast cancer surgery is a crucial part of breast cancer treatment that entails surgically removing the malignancy. Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and radiation therapy are all options for treating breast cancer.
Breast cancer surgery can comprise a variety of procedures, including:
- The entire breast is removed in surgery (mastectomy)
- A piece of the breast tissue is removed during surgery (lumpectomy)
- Surgery to remove lymph nodes in the area
- After a mastectomy, surgery is performed to reconstruct the breast.
Risk
Although breast cancer surgery is a relatively safe operation, it does include a minor risk of consequences, which include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Collection of fluid at the operative site (seroma)
- Pain
- Permanent scarring
- Loss of or altered sensation in the chest and reconstructed breasts
- Wound healing problems
- Arm swelling (lymphedema)
- Risks related to the medicine (anesthesia) used to put you in a sleep-like state during surgery, such as confusion, muscle aches and vomiting
What’s after the surgery?
- You should expect to be brought to a recovery room where your blood pressure, pulse, and respiration will be monitored.
- Cover the operation site with a dressing (bandage).
- Underarm soreness, numbness, and a pinching sensation are all possible symptoms.
- Get instructions on how to take care of yourself at home, including how to care for your incision and drains, how to recognize signs of infection, and how to follow activity limitations.
- Discuss when you should start wearing a bra or a breast prosthesis with your healthcare provider.
- Prescriptions for pain relievers and potentially antibiotics will be supplied to you.
- Return to your regular eating routine.
- After surgery, shower the next day
Note: * The information on this website is not meant to be used to diagnose health conditions or to replace legitimate medical advice.
Dr. Toufic Ata
Consultant Laparoscopic Bariatric and General Surgery
