Before leaving hospital make sure you’re clear about:
- how to care for your incisions
- how to manage your pain
- when and where any stitches or staples should be removed
- your level of activity, particularly heavy lifting
- driving (check if your car insurance company has any restrictions following an operation)
- symptoms for which you should seek further medical attention
- any changes to your regular medication
- changes to your diet
- how soon after surgery you can have sex
- what kind of exercise you can do.
Caring for your incisions
If you have a water-resistant dressing, you can start showering your wound (along with your entire body) straight away. Other dressings may need to be kept dry for a period of time before the first shower- your surgeon will advise you of this. Don’t soak in a bathtub or swim until any stitches, wound closure strips or staples are removed.
If your surgeon has asked you to change the wound dressing at home, follow their instructions and keep in mind that a small amount of drainage from the incisions is normal.
Your scars will heal in about 4–6 weeks and will become softer and continue to fade over the next year.
Managing pain
Pain is different for each person. Your surgeon or anaesthetist will prescribe you pain relief. Throat lozenges can help if you have a soreness from the tube that was down your throat during the surgery.
Restrictions on activity
While light activity (like walking) is recommended, you’ll probably be advised to avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks after surgery.
Bodily changes
You may notice some symptoms in the first 3–6 months as your body reacts to the change.
These can include:
- body aches
- tiredness, as though you have the flu
- feeling cold
- dry skin
- thinning hair or hair loss
- changes in your mood.
Medications
Check with your surgeon before taking your normal medications, especially those that were stopped for the surgery.
Emotional Issues
Recovering from surgery can be stressful and emotional and it’s important to have the support of family and friends. Working with a social worker, therapist or support group can help you through the ups and downs.
Follow-ups
You'll need to have frequent check-ups for several months and regular ongoing checks. If you still have any of your original breast tissue, you’ll need surveillance breast imaging every year. If you’re taking aromatase inhibitor (anti-hormonal) medication, you’ll also have regular bone health checks (bone densitometry). Other examinations may be ordered depending on your symptoms and the characteristics of the original breast cancer.
Watching out for problems
- Delayed complications from breast surgery are unlikely but call your surgeon if you experience:
- fever
- increased pain or drainage from your wound
- redness or changes in the skin around your wound
- chest pain or shortness of breath
- nausea or vomiting that lasts for over 12 hours
- pain, redness or swelling in your legs
- dark urine or no urine
- pain that’s not relieved by pain medication.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Information is provided by HCF in good faith for the convenience of members. It is not an endorsement or recommendation of any form of treatment nor is it a substitute for medical advice, and you should rely on the advice of your treating doctors in relation to all matters concerning your health. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however HCF takes no responsibility for any injury, loss, damage or other consequences of the use of this information.