Preparation for Mastectomy Surgery
Before surgery, you’ll get instructions about any restrictions and other important information, such as:
- Any drugs, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking should be disclosed to your doctor. Some chemicals may cause complications during surgery.
- Stop taking aspirin or any other blood thinners. Talk to your doctor a week or more before your operation about which medications you should avoid because they can raise your risk of severe bleeding. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), and other pain relievers, as well as blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants) like warfarin, are among them (Coumadin, Jantoven).
- 8 to 12 hours before surgery, don’t eat or drink anything. Your health care staff will provide you with detailed instructions.
- Prepare for a hospital stay. Inquire with your doctor about how long you should expect to be in the hospital. Bring a robe and slippers to the hospital to help you feel more at ease. Pack a bag with your toothbrush and a book to keep you occupied while you wait.
After your mastectomy surgery, you’ll be sent to the recovery room, where nurses will monitor your heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. Let someone know if you are in discomfort or sick from the anaesthetic so that you can be given medicine. After that, you’ll be admitted to a hospital room. The usual length of stay in the hospital for a mastectomy is three days or fewer. You may spend a little longer in the hospital if you get a mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time. Your surgeon or nurse will show you an exercise plan the morning after your surgery to help avoid arm and shoulder stiffness on the side where you had the mastectomy, as well as the production of considerable scar tissue. Until the drains are eliminated, some exercises should be avoided. To ensure that the fitness plan is correct for you, ask your surgeon any questions you may have. In addition, your surgeon should provide you with written and graphical instructions on how to perform the exercises.
