Your Guide to Preparing for Breast Cancer Surgery: Understanding the Journey Ahead

The type of breast cancer surgery recommended depends on various factors, including tumor size, cancer stage, and personal preferences. Our surgical team will guide you through the best option for your treatment.

• Lumpectomy: This surgery removes only the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue. Lumpectomy is a common choice for early-stage breast cancer treatments as it preserves as much of the breast tissue as possible.  
• Mastectomy: This surgery removes the entire breast, including all breast tissue and sometimes other nearby tissues. There are several types of mastectomy, ranging from simple/total mastectomy to more extensive surgeries removing muscles/lymph nodes. Mastectomies may be recommended for larger tumors, later-stage breast cancers, or patient preference.
• Hidden scar approach: This is an advanced surgical option in either a mastectomy or lumpectomy procedure. With a hidden scar approach, your incision is placed in a location that is hard to see, so the scar will not be visible once healed.
• Nipple-sparing mastectomy: This is an advanced surgical technique that preserves the nipple and areola along with the breast skin.
• Sentinel lymph node biopsy: This surgical procedure pinpoints and removes the sentinel lymph node(s) to determine if breast cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.
• Breast Reconstruction: After mastectomy or lumpectomy, many patients elect to have additional surgery to recreate the shape and appearance of the removed breast tissue. Reconstruction is customized to each patient and can be done using breast implants, using tissue from other parts of the patient’s body, or combining implants with natural tissue. Reconstructive surgery can be performed by our plastic and reconstructive sugery partners at the same time as cancer surgery or months/years later.

Steps to Prepare for Your Breast Cancer Surgery

Taking a few proactive steps can help you feel more prepared and supported before your surgery:

• Talk with your surgeon: Review your procedure details, risks, and recovery expectations. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions.
• Attend pre-operative appointments: These may include physical exams, bloodwork, imaging, biopsies, or consultations for breast reconstruction.
• Meet your care team: This includes your surgeon, oncologist, anesthesiologist, reconstructive surgeon, and nurses to ensure everyone is aligned on your care plan.
• Follow lifestyle recommendations: Stop smoking at least two weeks before surgery and avoid it for six weeks after to support healing. Limit alcohol intake as well.
• Optimize your health: If your doctor approves, focus on healthy eating, light activity, and proper medication management before surgery.
• Plan for transportation: Arrange for someone to drive you home after discharge.
• Prepare your home: Stock up on easy-to-prepare meals, set up a comfortable recovery space with pillows, medications, chargers, and loose clothing, and consider meal prepping in advance.
• Ask for help: Enlist family or friends for support with transportation, housework, pet care, or errands so you can focus on rest and healing.

By preparing in advance, you can reduce stress and set yourself up for a smoother recovery.

What to Expect on the Day of Surgery

On the day of your breast cancer surgery, you’ll arrive at the hospital a few hours before your scheduled procedure. After checking in and completing any necessary paperwork, you’ll be prepped for surgery. This includes changing into a hospital gown, having an IV placed, and meeting with your surgical team, including your surgeon, anesthesiologist, nurses, and a plastic surgeon if you’re having reconstruction.

Before surgery begins, your team will review the procedure details, mark the surgical area, discuss anesthesia, and answer any final questions. The anesthesiologist will then administer medication to ensure you’re comfortable. Most breast cancer surgeries are performed under general anesthesia, though some may use local anesthesia with sedation.

During the procedure, your surgeon will carefully remove the tumor or breast tissue. A lumpectomy removes only the tumor and a margin of healthy tissue to preserve the breast, while a mastectomy removes the entire breast. If necessary, lymph nodes may also be removed for testing. The incisions will be closed with stitches or surgical glue.

Surgery time varies, ranging from 1 to 3 hours for a lumpectomy and up to 5+ hours for complex procedures, especially those involving reconstruction. After surgery, you’ll wake up in the recovery area, where nurses will monitor you as the anesthesia wears off. Most patients can return home the same day unless reconstruction was performed, in which case an overnight stay may be needed. While recovery times vary, many patients can resume basic activities, such as eating and bathing, within a day.

Post-Surgery Care and Recovery

Post-Operative Care at Home

After your breast cancer operation, you will need to carefully monitor your at-home recovery for the next several weeks. Initially, get plenty of rest while your body heals from the trauma of surgery. Have someone available to help with drainage tubes, changing bandages, assistance taking medication, and providing meals. Most patients experience post-surgical pain and discomfort that is managed with prescription pain medication. It is also common to have swelling, bruising, numbness, and tightness in the breast and underarm area. 

Recovery Timeline

During the first week, follow any guidelines provided by your surgeon, such as avoiding lifting your arms over your head, strenuous activity, driving, and submerging incisions underwater. Over the next month, swelling and sensitivity will decrease allowing you to gradually return to normal routines. However, complete healing of relocated nipple tissue, breast implants, or tissue flap reconstructions takes several months. Follow all instructions on wound care, supportive bra wear, and exercises to retain mobility. Expect ongoing fatigue, so listen when your body needs extra rest.

When To Contact Your Doctor

Contact our office immediately if you experience emergency symptoms like excessive bleeding, intense pain, drains falling out, fever over 101 F, or red skin hot to the touch, as these could indicate an infection or other surgical complication needing quick evaluation. We will also schedule post-operative check-ins and follow-ups to track your progress, undergo tests to confirm cancer removal and discuss any additional cancer treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, or hormonal therapy if they are part of your treatment path. Please reach out with any questions during your recovery!

Support and Resources for Breast Cancer Patients

Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis and treatment plan can feel overwhelming. Know that you don’t have to go through this alone – there are many great organizations and support groups that provide community, resources and information to patients and caregivers. 

One excellent organization is the American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network, which connects patients with survivors and caregivers online to ask questions and get insights about all aspects of the cancer experience. Local branches hold support groups and educational meetings as well, which provide a sense of community with people who understand what you’re going through. Another option is breast cancer-specific nonprofits like Susan G. Komen and Living Beyond Breast Cancer, which offer free webinars, podcasts, newsletters, and conferences to educate at all stages – from navigating treatment options to managing long-term side effects. 

Seeking out peers in the community, whether online or in person, can make the journey feel less overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to ask your nurse navigator about hospital-based support groups or programs. Know you have a whole community of fellow warriors ready to lift you up along the way with care, camaraderie, and advice.