What should you know about double mastectomy?

A double mastectomy removes breast tissue from both breasts. It may be recommended to treat cancer in one breast, reduce risk in selected situations, or manage findings affecting both sides. The operation does not by itself decide whether you need medicines or radiation; those choices depend on the diagnosis and surgical findings.

The surgeon discusses whether the nipples, skin, and lymph nodes can be preserved or need removal. You may choose immediate reconstruction, delayed reconstruction, or no reconstruction. A drain may be placed temporarily to remove fluid while the wounds heal. Numbness, tightness, swelling, and altered chest sensation can occur after surgery.

Your treatment plan may include pathology review of the removed tissue. Options such as lumpectomy, mastectomy, or chemotherapy before surgery are considered according to the cancer type, location, and stage. Read about Breast Cancer and Mastectomy for background.

Before admission, arrange help with washing, dressing, meals, and transport. Ask which medicines to pause, how to care for drains, and when gentle arm movement should begin. Wear loose front-opening clothing and follow the wound-care instructions given by your team.

At follow-up, report pain that is not controlled by the prescribed plan and ask about shoulder exercises. If lymph nodes were treated, learn how to reduce arm swelling and when Lymphoedema Therapy may help. Breast Reconstruction can be discussed before or after the operation.

Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, wound separation, cloudy or foul-smelling drainage, or a fever. Seek urgent help for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, or heavy bleeding. A small amount of drainage and bruising can be expected, but changes that worsen need assessment.

Ask: Why is surgery on both sides advised in my case? Will lymph nodes be sampled? What closure and reconstruction choices fit my treatment? How long might drains remain? Which arm movements are safe, and who should I call after hours?