Recovery after breast removal includes the use of painkillers, the application of bandages and exercises to keep the arm of the operated side mobile and strong, as it is common to draw water from the breast and armpits.
As a general rule, most women who have had a mastectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the breast or part of it due to cancer, can recover well after the procedure and do not develop complications, but full recovery usually takes between 1 and 2 months.
- However.
- Women may need other treatments.
- Such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
- As well as family psychological support and participation in psychotherapy sessions.
- To learn how to cope with breast shortages.
After surgery, hospitalization lasts 2 to 5 days and the postoperative mastectomy can cause chest and arm pain and fatigue, and some women may experience a loss of self-esteem due to breast removal.
After breast removal, the woman may experience chest and arm pain, as well as numbness, which may decrease with the use of painkillers.
In addition, the woman may experience phantom pain, which is the sensation of breast pain that has been removed, shortly after surgery and persist during the following months, causing itching, pressure and discomfort, in this case you have to adapt to pain.and sometimes take anti-inflammatory medications according to your doctor’s recommendations.
After surgery, the woman ends up with a drain on her breast or armpit, which is a vessel to drain blood and fluids accumulated in the body, which is usually removed before departure, however, the woman may have to stay with him for longer.2 weeks, even when you are at home, in which case it is necessary to empty the drain and record the amount of fluid daily.Learn more about drainage after surgery.
After a mastectomy, it is normal for a woman to have a scar on her chest and under the bone, which will depend on the location, size of the tumor, and where the surgical incision was made.
The dressing should only be changed at the recommendation of the doctor or nurse and usually occurs after 1 week. During the dressing period, the dressing should not be wet or injured, to avoid possible infections that may be perceived by the appearance of certain signs and symptoms such as redness, heat or secretion of yellowing fluid, for example, so it is recommended to keep the dressing dry and covered until the skin is completely healed.
In most cases the suture is performed with stitches absorbed by the body, however, in the case of staples, they should be removed after 7-10 days in the hospital and when the skin is completely healed, the skin should be hydrated.skin every day with a cream, such as Nivea or Dove, but only on the doctor’s recommendation.
The bra should only be placed when the scar is completely scarred, which can occur after 1 month. In addition, if the woman has not yet performed breast reconstruction, there are bras with fillers or prosthetics, which give a natural contour to the chest.. Know breast implants.
The mastectomy recovery includes daily exercise to mobilize the arm on the side of the breast that has been removed, to prevent the arm and shoulder from stiffening, initially the exercises are very simple and can be performed in bed, however , after removing the stitches. and drains, they become more active and should be indicated by the doctor or physiotherapist depending on the severity of the surgery. Some good exercises include:
These exercises should be performed daily and should be repeated 5 to 7 times, thus helping to maintain the mobility of the woman’s arm and shoulder.
After surgery, the woman should follow certain medical recommendations to make a full recovery.The site of the surgery and the other breast should be observed every month and it is important to be attentive to changes in the skin and the appearance of lumps, which should be immediately informed to the doctor.
After surgery, the woman should avoid movements that require a lot of movement on the side from which the breast has been removed, such as driving, for example.In addition, you should not perform repetitive movements, such as ironing and ironing clothes, cleaning the house with a broom or vacuum cleaner, or swimming.
Therefore, during the recovery, it is important that women have the help of friends and family to help them in their daily activities and personal hygiene.
In addition, a woman who has had a breast removal should not receive injections or vaccinations, or do treatments on the arm on the ablation side, in addition to being very careful not to injure that arm, as the tongues on this side are less effective.
Recovering from a mastectomy can be difficult and leaving an emotionally fragile woman, so support from friends and family is very important, and it is important for a woman to know the experience of others who have undergone the same surgery to gain strength.
Breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as a mastectomy or a few months later, with the installation of a silicone prosthesis, body fat or a muscle flap. The most appropriate date depends on the type of cancer and should be decided with the surgeon..
Find out how breast reconstruction is done.