Surgery is a common treatment for women with breast cancer. They may remove the affected breast through a mastectomy, try to save the breast with a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy, or undergo axillary lymph node removal. Breast reconstruction can also occur, which is another surgery from which women would need to recover.
Instructions
1. Care for the tubes coming out of your surgery site. These drain blood and lymph fluid that collects as you heal. Your medical team will tell you what to do, everything from emptying and measuring how much fluid is collecting. The drains usually stay connected for one to two weeks.
2. Move your arms as you recover from breast cancer surgery. Most doctors will not put your arm or arms in a sling, because they want to accelerate the healing process. You may feel pain free, but notice tingling, numbness or pinching in your underarm area.
3. Follow your doctor's instructions on recognizing infection, exercises and when to resume wearing a bra. Each case is different because of the individual circumstances.
4. Eat what the doctor advises and avoid the foods he says are not a good idea. Following the recovery plan as close as possible will speed your progress. Use pain medications and possible antibiotics if needed.
5. Understand the emotional impact of breast cancer surgery. Your body image may suffer following such a life-altering procedure.
6. See your doctor one to two weeks after surgery. He will go over the pathology report results and discuss what type of additional treatment is needed. You may be sent to a medical oncologist or a radiation oncologist for further treatment.
Tags: breast cancer, your arms, your doctor