Introduction
There are a number of different types of surgery used to treat breast cancer. Your doctor will discuss with you what surgery is most suitable. This will depend on a number of factors including the type, grade and stage of your breast cancer, as well as your general health, age and your lifestyle.
Breast cancer surgery information
For most patients, breast surgery is done often as day surgery or a short admission of a few days. This is because most normal body functions are not affected even if you have complex breast surgery.
Breast surgery patient's recovery is focused on wound healing, pain management, and upper body movements.
In the case of a major breast reconstruction, such as bilateral breast surgery, a blood transfusion may be needed.
Post-operative dressing changes are often done at the Outpatient Clinic or in your surgeon's private practice. The drains used by our breast surgeons are usually simple and we educate you before you go home how to manage them.
Community nursing is available for patients who have additional, special needs.
McGrath Breast Care Nurse support
We are lucky to have the support of three McGrath Breast Care Nurses providing care across the Nepean Blue Mountains region.
From the time of diagnosis, and throughout treatment, they inform, organise, empower and support people with breast cancer and their families.
No cancer treatment is without its challenges, but this is where a McGrath Breast Care Nurse can help. They listen, guide and support people with breast cancer and their families every day through meaningful conversations, advice and quality care.
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Download McGrath Breast Care Nurses Information Sheet (PDF 371.48KB)Find breast cancer services near you
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Prehabilitation
Preoperative preparation can help you recover and reduce complications. You should physically and mentally prepare for your operation.
Eat a healthy balanced diet with high protein and high fibre.
Adhere to a diabetic diet if you have diabetes as high blood glucose can affect wound healing.
Try to keep fit before your surgery, the fitter you are, the better your recovery is.
Practice deep breathing exercises and make sure you take your regular asthma medications or puffers, if needed.
Stop smoking as soon as you have signed your surgery consent form.
Smoking can significantly increase complications and affect your recovery.
Smoking can lower the blood supply to the body's tissue causing problems with wound healing.
You may have some anxiety associated with any surgery. If you are unsure about anything, it is important to reach out to our Breast Care Nurses or to your Surgeon for reassurance.
Before surgery
Whilst most cancer patients will not develop lymphoedema, all cancer patients will benefit from screening and early intervention.
Before surgery, if timing permits, you will be booked to one our 3 lymphoedema early intervention clinics for a base line measurement.
We use the most advanced, non-invasive devise to assess even the smallest changes in your fluid levels post-surgery
We offer a proactive approach to early intervention providing education, strategies, and therapies as well as screening for lymphoedema.
Clinics are run by a qualified lymphoedema therapist and Breast care Nurse. Clinic sites are at Nepean, Katoomba and Lithgow
There is a Breast Care Nurse clinic for all breast cancer patients to attend, our Breast Care Nurses will contact you when your surgeon books your operation.
The Pre-Admission Anaesthetic clinic is only for patients who have complex health problems and you will be contacted about your appointment once you have submitted your Admission.
Buttoned up tops to wear on the day of surgery as well as after surgery can make you more comfortable.
Surgical bras that have zips or fasteners in front (a dark colour is preferable) buy them on line or at most department stores or bra stores.
It is important to ensure you have clean skin before your operation. You may wish to purchase anti-microbial body wash to use before your operation.
- Shower the night before and the morning of surgery.
- Pay particular attention to skin folds under the breast and the armpit area and avoid scrubbing your skin too hard.
- Pat your skin dry with a clean towel after each shower and dress with freshly-laundered clothes after each shower.
- The night before surgery, sleep with clean bed linen to keep your skin clean.
- Do not apply any lotions, deodorants, powders or perfumes to your body.
- Do not shave body hair with razors the night before or the day of the surgery.
What to bring to hospital
Make sure you bring your regular medications to the hospital.
Have a list you can provide to our anaesthetic team and your surgeon.
It is your responsibility to let your team know if you are on blood thinners, immunosuppressants, diabetic medications, or any other medications as they may interact with your recovery.
As many side effects from herbal and alternative medicines are not well known and may affect your recovery, they are best avoided before and after your surgery.
Please bring any sleep apnoea machines, walking aids etc if you need it for your admission.
You must bring any relevant scans that would facilitate your surgery.
Your surgery may be delayed if you do not bring them with you.
Please take them home with you upon discharge.
On the day of your surgery
Please attend the Day Surgery department iat Nepean Hospital, Building A Level 2.
Hospital admission staff will let you know fasting and admission information.
Do not eat or drink before your surgery. Fasting of food is required 6 hours before surgery and water for 3 hours before surgery.
Post-operative care
If staying overnight, prior to discharge you will be supported by a Breast Care nurse who will provide clinical care, education and support.
If you are discharged on same day of surgery, a Breast Care nurse will support you with a phone call and trouble shoot any issues or concerns
There is usually no need for you to change your dressings yourself unless your dressing is soaked with blood or if you have severe irritation to the dressings.
Your dressing is usually changed around 1-2 weeks time at your follow-up appointment at the Outpatient Clinic or at your surgeon's practice.
We encourage you to take your pain killers to manage your pain so that you are able to take deep breaths, be able to move your arm and be able to rest comfortably.
Most patients get good pain relief with a combination of regular paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory ibuprofen.
Some patients may need stronger pain killers in addition to paracetamol and ibuprofen.
When pain is not well controlled, ask your surgeon or Breast Care Nurse and adjustments to your pain prescription can be made.
If you have a drain, these are simple, discrete and easy for patients to manage themselves.
You will be given instructions and training on how to manage your drain.
If you have any issues with it, we will arrange community nurses to assist you.
Deep breathing exercises
After breast surgery, patients may feel too much pain and they tend to take shallow breaths. Deep breathing exercises are important to enable you to open up the bases of your lungs particularly after having general anaesthetic.
The amount of breathing exercises you do depend on your own health and the type of breast surgery that has been done.
We recommend that you do regular deep breathing exercises (deep inhalation and deep exhalation many times a day) during the first few weeks of your recovery.
Arm exercises
You may feel a combination of numbness, pins and needles, and pain in your arm pit area following surgery. This can make you inclined to stop moving your arm and shoulder, which can freeze up quickly.
Instructions for arm exercises are provided to you by our Breast Care Nurses and it is advisable to take pain medications so that you can do the arm exercises.
General exercise
Gentle exercise such as walking is encouraged to keep your circulation going to avoid deep vein thrombosis (clots in the leg), which can occur after surgery or a period of immobility.
A healthy diet, high in protein, iron and fibre helps you heal, recover and regulates your bowel habits.
Constipation can occur due to a combination of your pain killers and reduced mobility. If this tends to occur for you, try use more the simple pain killers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, and stronger pain killers less often. These types of pain killers do not tend to cause constipation.
Alternatively, we can discuss prescribing some strong pain killers that avoids constipation.
It is quite common to feel a bit down after surgery. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to our Breast Care Nurses.
During hours please call the Breast Care Nurses or your Surgeon's practice.
After hours, if urgent please attend the Emergency Department.