CONTENTS:
Description of your surgery
Before your surgery
On the day of your surgery
After your surgery
Your Follow-up care
Total Mastectomy to remove the entire breast and nipple.
Your surgical procedure:
1. After reporting to the surgery reception are, you will be moved to the preoperative care area. You will change, receive an IV and meet your anesthesiologist.
2. You will then be brought to the operating room. You will receive antibiotics and then receive general anesthesia. Your surgeon will then remove the entire breast and skin overlying it including the nipple.
3. A drain will be placed to prevent a fluid collection. This usually stays in for 1-2 weeks, depending on how much fluid is draining. Your surgeon will make this decision in the office at your follow-up visit.
4. Your incision will be closed with sutures, which are under the skin and dissolve on their own, then bandaged.
5. Most women spend the night in the hospital, but this is tailored to the individual patient.
6. The most common risks of this surgery include problems with either bleeding or infection. Your surgeon will have discussed these risks with you in the office.
Pre-testing:
You may need pre-testing when your surgery is scheduled in the Day Stay Unit.
Scheduling:
- You will be called the week before your surgery by a nurse from the Anesthesia Department. She will ask you questions to determine if you need any pre-testing or need to speak with the anesthesiologist.
- Your pre-tests are scheduled for
Day _________ Date __________ at _______ am pm
On the day of your pre-testing:
Report to Baystate Medical Center
Chestnut Surgery Building
759 Chestnut Street.
Use valet parking if parking is difficult.
Call our office at 413-794-4262:
- If you have a emergency.
- If you have questions.
- If you are getting sick. (We may need to postpone your surgery.)
The night before your surgery:
- Do not eat or drink after midnight (includes no gum or hard candy).
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Your surgery is scheduled for:
Day ___________ Date ____________
Arrival time* ___________
*Arrival time is 1½ hours before your
surgery is scheduled.
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On the day of your surgery:
- Do not eat or drink anything (no gum or hard candy).
- Unless otherwise instructed, take your normal medications with just a sip of water.
- Wear or bring a supportive bra. You will need to wear this bra when you go home. The bra will provide support that will decrease the amount of bruising and pain.
- Do not wear fingernail polish or makeup.
- Leave all valuables at home.
- Report to whichever of the following Baystate Medical Center locations your doctor's office has told you your surgery will take place:
□ Centennial One- Family Waiting Area
□ Chestnut Building- Second floor
Hospital staff will escort you to:
Radiology (if necessary) at __________ AM PM
Operating Room at __________ AM PM
Your Test Results
We will have the test results (pathology report) on your biopsy in about one week. Your doctor will discuss your test results with you at your follow-up visit.
WARNING SIGNS!
Call us immediately at 413-794-4262 if you have any of the following:
Redness, pus, or enough blood to soak the bandage at the incision.
Severe pain that will not go away after taking your pain medicine.
Temperature over 101.5°F.
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Driving. We do not recommend you drive until after you are evaluated by your doctor during your follow-up visit.
Activity. Avoid activities that increase chest movement or have repetitive arm movement.
Pain. Some pain is normal. You will receive a prescription for a strong narcotic pain medicine. If you prefer a milder pain medicine, take 2 extra strength Tylenol (acetaminophen) every 4 to 6 hours. During the first 48 hours, avoid medicines that can cause bleeding (like aspirin or Motrin).
Clothing. Wear comfortable clothing; a front closing shirt may be more comfortable than over-the-head type shirts.
Showering. You may shower 48 hours after your surgery. (Remove the outer bandage first; afterwards, pat dry.)
Sleeping. Avoid sleeping on the side of your operation since this may cause more swelling.
Wear your bra.
Bruising. Bruising is normal. This will go away over a couple of weeks.
Drains: You will have a small drain and will receive specific instructions in the care it.
Checking Your Incision. A little blood on the bandage is normal. If the bandage becomes soaked with blood or other fluids, please call our office immediately.
Removing Your Bandage. Unless otherwise directed, you may remove the outer bandage
24 hours after surgery.
When you remove the bandage, there will be
a row of small white tapes directly on the incision. Please, do not remove these strips
of tape before your follow-up visit with your doctor.
Keeping Your Incision Clean. After you remove the bandage, you may get the incision area wet (48 hours after surgery). Pat the incision dry.
Do not take showers that would soak the area until after you have been evaluated by your doctor during your follow-up visit.
Occasionally, you may notice a hardened area where the tissue was removed. This is normal. As the area heals it first becomes hard, then softens over the next several months.
YOUR FOLLOW-UP VISIT
Please call 413-794-9338 to schedule
a follow-up visit with your doctor.
Day _________ Date __________ at ____ am pm
On the day of your appointment:
Report to Baystate Medical Center
Comprehensive Breast Center
3400 B Main Street
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