Table of Contents
- What should I wear right after breast surgery?
- For the first week after your surgery, you will not want to wear a normal bra
- This is because your chest can be sore and the drains will be in place
- Wearing a normal bra can cause you pain, or irritate the area where you had surgery
Accordingly, Is a mastectomy major surgery? Mastectomy is a common but major surgery with serious risks and potential complications You may have less invasive treatment options Consider getting a second opinion about all of your treatment choices before having a mastectomy The type of mastectomy you receive depends on the stage and type of your breast cancer
What happens if you don’t wear your post op bra? If you do not wear a compression bra following breast implant placement or stop wearing it before your implant settles in a new shape and size, there is a high risk of your implants dislocating from their position
How do I stop my mastectomy bra from riding up? Buy a bolt of stretchy swimsuit fabric or Lycra
- This method is especially useful if you’ve had a mastectomy and want to keep your bra from riding up in front
- Swimsuit fabric is usually sold in bolts that are 60 inches (152 cm) wide
Further, Do I need to wear a bra at night after mastectomy? Women often cite comfort as an important feature of any bra after mastectomy A bra may also be important to you if you’ve had nipple-sparing surgery Many women find their nipples remain erect after surgery because the nerves to the nipples have been severed A well padded bra can hide this
What is the side effect of mastectomy?
Fluid may collect in or around the surgical scar and cause a balloon-like swelling This is most common after a mastectomy A seroma can also develop in the armpit after an axillary lymph node dissection The build-up of fluid can be uncomfortable, but is not harmful
At what stage should you have a mastectomy?
Your doctor may recommend a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy plus radiation if: You have two or more tumors in separate areas of the breast You have widespread or malignant-appearing calcium deposits (microcalcifications) throughout the breast that have been determined to be cancer after a breast biopsy
Do you still need mammograms after mastectomy?
Mammograms after mastectomy Women who have had a mastectomy (including simple mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, and radical mastectomy) to treat breast cancer should not need further routine screening mammograms on that side, but will still need regular mammograms on the remaining breast
What is the most common complication of mastectomy?
The most frequent morbid complication was wound infection, more commonly occurring in the mastectomy (434%) group versus the lumpectomy group (197%)
How painful is a mastectomy?
Reports indicate that 40 to 60 percent of patients who undergo mastectomy suffer from chronic pain — pain lasting longer than three months
What can you not do after a mastectomy?
Activity
- Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting and vigorous exercise until the stitches are removed
- Walking is a normal activity that can be restarted right away
- You cannot do housework or driving until the drain is out
Why is my stomach bloated after mastectomy?
During surgery for cancer, nearby lymph nodes are often removed This disrupts the flow of lymph, which can lead to swelling This is lymphedema Lymphedema can affect one or both arm, the head and neck, the belly, the genitals, or the legs
What happens first week after mastectomy?
It’s normal to have pain and discomfort for the first week or so around the wound site You may also have pain in your armpit (axilla) if you had surgery to your lymph nodes Some people have a tingling feeling or tightness around the scar This usually gets better, but it can take a few weeks
Do I have to wear a bra after mastectomy?
Patients who undergo mastectomy, including both those who do and do not receive reconstruction, need bras that can accommodate new breast shape, size, and feel, as well as scarring and skin sensitivity
How long do you have a drain after a mastectomy?
You will have the drain(s) for at least 5 days and up to 3 weeks Your drain will come out when the drainage is less than 30 millilitres (just over 2 tablespoons) in 24 hours for 2 days in a row A nurse can remove your drain You may take pain medication 30 to 60 minutes before the drain is removed
How long do I have to wear surgical bra after mastectomy?
Whether you wear a surgical bra after your procedure will likely depend on your surgeon’s preference and the type of surgery you had performed Some patients will benefit from wearing a compression bra around the clock for the first four to six weeks, but many will be advised not to, Dr Liu says
Can you use deodorant after a mastectomy?
Do not shave or use deodorant for 1 week after your drains have been removed You can shave and use deodorant after 1 week if your incisions have no open areas For pain, take prescribed pain medication, Tylenol®, or ibuprofen every 4 to 6 hours as needed
How long does tightness last after mastectomy?
Right after the surgery, you will probably feel weak, and you may feel sore for 2 to 3 days You may feel pulling or stretching near or under your arm You may also have itching, tingling, and throbbing in the area This will get better in a few days
How long does a simple mastectomy surgery take?
Before the procedure A mastectomy without reconstruction usually takes one to three hours The surgery is often done as an outpatient procedure, and most people go home on the same day of the operation
How do you shower after a mastectomy?
You may shower one day after the drain(s) is out and if you have a plastic dressing If you have gauze and paper tape, you may remove it two days after surgery and shower after that Use a towel to dry your incision thoroughly after showering Be careful not to touch or remove the steri-strips or sutures
How do you hide a mastectomy?
Wearing loose sweaters, jackets, or scarves draped around your neck and shoulders can disguise a flat chest Some women feel comfortable not wearing a bra and not trying to cover their loss This can work especially well if you had bilateral mastectomies
