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How long you stay in the hospital will depend mostly upon your overall health and the type of surgery you had. Your doctors and nurses will explain the side effects you can expect with each form of treatment. They can also suggest ways to help prevent or manage these side effects. It is important that you let the doctor or nurse know if you have side effects. Below is a description of general side effects resulting from breast cancer surgery. They're listed in order of the most common to the least common.
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After breast cancer surgery, you will have a bandage, also called a dressing, over the place where you had surgery. You may also have tubes in your breast to remove blood and lymph fluids that build up during the healing process. This means you will have to drain the tubes, measure the fluid, and learn to identify any problems you may need to tell your doctor or nurse about.
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The length of your hospital stay depends on the type of surgery you have. You'll be given instructions to follow during recovery. Some women feel fine within a month. Others need a few more weeks. Take as much time as you need to adjust to the changes in your life and body.
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After surgery, your body needs time to recover. You will receive information about helping your body heal. You may also be given a temporary prosthesis to wear during this time. And you'll learn what complications to watch for.
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Successful treatment of your cancer is the first step toward a healthy future. Now you can begin a follow-up program. This lifelong program should include visits to your healthcare provider, mammograms, and breast self-exams. Maintaining each part of this program will help give you peace of mind as you begin your life after treatment.
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Call the Doctor If Your Arm Is: Swollen or red Hot Painful After breast surgery, fluid may collect and cause swelling in the arm on the side of your surgery. This is called lymphedema. It occurs when lymph nodes under the arm are removed or the underarm area is treated with radiation therapy. This causes the normal flow of fluids in the arm to be reduced. To prevent lymphedema, try the tips on this handout.
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Lymphedema can occur right after surgery, or months or years later. This condition occurs when your underarm lymph nodes have been removed and your body can't efficiently move the lymph fluid through that area. It occurs in the hand and arm on the side where your underarm lymph nodes were removed. Lymphedema may last fewer than 6 months (called acute lymphedema) or longer than 6 months (called chronic lymphedema ). An injury or strain to your arm can trigger the condition. Or it can be a temporary side effect of the surgery. To reduce your risk, avoid heavy lifting and protect your arm from injury. If treated, swelling from lymphedema can be managed. If not treated, swelling can become severe.
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As you recover from breast surgery, your doctor will tell you when it is safe to begin exercising. Your goal will be to regain normal range of motion and use of your arm. For your safety, use this handout only as directed by your doctor or physical therapist.
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At your first doctor's appointment after surgery, your doctor can tell you where to get a bra with a fake breast, called a prosthesis. You may want a prosthesis if you have chosen not to have reconstructive surgery or you have decided to postpone reconstructive surgery. You shouldn't start wearing the prosthesis until your wound has healed, about 6 to 10 weeks after surgery. You can choose from many different types. Some are filled with foam or liquid silicone. Some are self-adhering. They're made to move, feel, and weigh similar to a normal breast. A prosthesis not only allows you to appear as you did before your surgery, it also helps balance the weight in your chest. This may help prevent neck or back pain if you have large breasts. Make sure the prosthesis fits properly and is a weight similar to your remaining breast. Insurance pays for most prostheses if you have a prescription or letter demonstrating medical necessity.
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The decision to have reconstructive breast surgery is a very personal one. It depends a lot on how you think you will feel after a mastectomy. If you think you would feel uncomfortable with a flat chest or wearing a false breast, called a prosthesis, you may want to consider reconstructive surgery. If you don't mind how you'll look or don't want to have any extra surgery, you may not want to do it. Reconstructive surgery can be done at the time of your mastectomy. Or you can schedule it for a later date. You may need more than one operation to complete the reconstruction.
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What happens during reconstructive surgery depends on the type you have. You can opt for reconstructive surgery using artificial implants. Or you can choose to have surgery that rebuilds your breast using tissue from another part of your body. Here are descriptions of each type.
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On July 18, 2000 , Diane Campbell was diagnosed with invasive ductal lobular carcinoma in her left breast. "My first thought was, ‘Take both of my breasts. Get rid of them,'” the 34-year-old Campbell says.
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Your surgeon can help you decide whether to have reconstructive surgery. You will be advised to wait if now is not the best time for you.
Breast reconstruction can be done during or after a mastectomy. One kind of reconstruction is the breast implant. A sac of fluid is inserted during surgery to re-form the shape of a breast.
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A flap procecure uses your own tissue to form the shape of a breast. There are two kinds of flap procedures: the TRAM flap and the LD flap.
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