After Doing Mastectomy (Breast Removal Surgery), Pay Attention To These 4 Rules

Breast Cancer lifting

Breast cancer is one of deadliest disease which usually attacks a woman. We know that to prevent this disease is not easy, even when the disease going to be very dangerous, the doctor can ask you to do mastectomy surgery. Mastectomy is surgery to remove the breast in breast cancer patients. This procedure can be done at the initial or advanced stage, depending on the needs and conditions of each patient. 

Many people who will undergo this operation absolutely feel very nervous, I can't imagine what would happen if the breast is removed. To give a medical view, see the following explanation.

Various types of mastectomy

Mastectomy or breast removal is usually done in breast cancer patients. Mastectomy is divided into several types, depending on the condition and needs of the patient when the procedure is carried out.

Partial mastectomy

This procedure removes only part of the entire breast. This is done in breast tumors that are dense and the location of the tumor is centralized or have not spread in several locations of the breast. In this condition, the nipple no need to be removed, depending on the location of the tumor.

Total mastectomy

This operation is performed on all parts of the breast. The part of the tumor or cancer has spread in several locations in the breast, it can even be in the form of a hundred percent solid.

Radical mastectomy

Radical mastectomy means lifting the entire part of the breast, including other organs around it. Among them are lymph nodes under the armpit to the chest muscle tissue under breast fat tissue. This is done when the tumor has spread wide enough, for example to the organs around the breast.

Modified radical mastectomy

This is done by removing the entire part of the breast and lymph nodes, but it is not necessary to lift the chest muscles below the breast, depending on the location of the spread of the cancer cells.

What needs to do after a mastectomy?

After you get a mastectomy, there are some rules you need to pay attention to. Of course, you need adjustments to get used to your current conditions.

1. Overcoming postoperative pain

After you do a mastectomy, you are asked to stay in the hospital first for one to three days, it is depending on the development of your condition. Radiation can be done if it is needed, for example, there is still residue from the tumor's active cells.

You may feel pain in the area of surgery. The pain can last for several days. You may be given medication to reduce pain or discomfort after a mastectomy.

Pay attention and continue to report the progress you obtained after getting the medicine from the doctor. There are certain types of drugs that can increase bleeding in certain patients, such as aspirin. You should also tell your doctor if you have certain drug allergies.

Some types of drugs can also have an impact on the digestive tract, such as constipation (difficulty defecating). You need to increase the consumption of water and foods rich in fiber.

If it still hurts, you can use an ice pack for your armpit. This can occur because of the removal of lymph nodes in the area. You can also slip a small pillow to make it more comfortable.

2. Be careful when cleaning yourself

Make sure you keep the former surgery area clean and dry, especially at the beginning of the postoperative period. After surgery, there are stitches or bandages that you should not remove or touch, except with the doctor's instructions.

Be careful when cleaning yourself, for example, bathing time. Ask your doctor and nurse at the hospital how to not make your surgery marks worse or infection.

3. Monitor for side effects

If you got a fever after surgery, if it is below 37.7 degrees Celsius is a common side effect of mastectomy. Swelling in the former surgery is also often reported. But if it's sustainable, call your doctor.

4. Do activity after mastectomy

You can do your activity as usual, but please avoid heavy activities, lifting heavy loads, or heavy physical training until the stitches have been removed. Ask the experts what you can and cannot do after a mastectomy.

Most people will return to work in three to six weeks. The length of recovery time to be able to return to work will vary for each patient. All depends on the type of work, and of course the development of your own health condition.

After a mastectomy, you may be asked to practice various movements so that the flexibility of your limbs returns. Follow the advice of a therapist or health expert about the types of exercises you can do.

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