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You
should expect to stay at the hospital at least 24-48 hours.
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You
will have a large incision at the mastectomy/lumpectomy
site which will be closed with several stitches and covered
with a large, bulky gauze bandage. The day following
the surgery, the doctor will remove that bandage. The
incision will then be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide and
a thin layer of antibiotic ointment (Neosporin, Bacitracin,
etc.) will be applied and covered with a light gauze bandage.
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You
will also have one or two drains to allow for drainage
of fluid around the incision. These drains will be emptied
and the sites cleaned for you while you're in the hospital
by the nurses. The nurses will teach you to do this prior
to leaving the hospital and you should continue to do
so at home. Please call our office with the drainage amounts
every morning so that your doctor will determine when
you should return to the office for drain removal.
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While
at home, you may shower and wash both the incision and
drain sites with soap and water. In addition to showering,
you should clean these areas as you were taught in the
hospital.
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You
may experience some discomfort at the incision and drain
sites. Your doctor will provide you with a prescription
for a pain medication. For minimal discomfort acetaminophen
or ibuprofen may be used. Follow the instructions on the
label. If you experience constipation, take milk of magnesia
or a mild laxative and drink plenty of fluids, especially
water.
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Your
doctor will encourage you to start simple arm exercises,
such as brushing your hair or squeezing a ball. This will
help restore normal range of motion in your affected arm.
These will be taught to you by the nurse and the Reach
to Recovery volunteers. Please avoid heavy lifting.
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Prior
to your surgery, we will notify Reach to Recovery and
a volunteer from that organization will visit you either
in the hospital or in your home if you give permission.
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You
should be able to return to work within 7-10 days, and
resume driving approximately 7 days after surgery unless
you are still taking prescription pain medication, still
experiencing pain or a lot of soreness. Your pathology
report will be called to you either by your doctor or
the nurse as it becomes available.
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Call
the office for the following signs and symptoms:
....Increased pain, redness or swelling beyond incision
or drain sites
....Any drainage from mastectomy/lumpectomy incision
....Any green or yellow drainage from drain sites
....Temperature above 101
