What to expect from mastectomy for breast cancer

The surgeon removes breast tissue and may assess or remove nearby lymph nodes, depending on the cancer and treatment plan. The breast skin and nipple may or may not be preserved, and reconstruction can be immediate or delayed. These choices depend on anatomy, cancer treatment, and your preferences.

After surgery, the chest may feel numb, tight, swollen, or bruised. A drain can collect fluid near the wound and is removed when the surgical team considers it ready. The pathology report helps guide further treatment.

Before surgery, discuss medicines, smoking, allergies, previous operations, lymph-node surgery, reconstruction, and whether you will need help at home. Follow the fasting and medication instructions from the hospital.

At home, keep the wound and drain site as instructed, record drain output if asked, and wear the recommended support garment. Gentle arm movement may be prescribed; avoid lifting or strenuous activity until your team clears it. Attend wound and pathology appointments.

Call the surgical team for increasing redness, warmth, drainage, wound separation, feverishness, worsening swelling, or pain that is not controlled by the prescribed plan. Seek urgent help for sudden chest pain, severe breathlessness, heavy bleeding, or fainting.

Ask which mastectomy type is planned, whether lymph nodes will be assessed, how a drain works, when arm exercises begin, when pathology is expected, and what reconstruction or prosthesis options suit you.