A mastectomy is the partial to full removal of a breast by surgical procedure. A mastectomy is usually performed to prevent and treat the threat of breast cancer in women and, in rare occurrences, men. A mastectomy is a serious surgery and precautions need to be taken during recovery.
Right after surgery
It is important to take care of your dressing properly to avoid infection. Do not remove any dressing or strips yourself. Your physician will remove any dressing for you during your first follow-up visit. Doing it yourself can cause rips. To avoid liquid getting inside your wounds, do not shower until the drains for your wounds have been removed. Use a towel to dry yourself, being careful to not catch any stitches if they are still present. If at any time you have a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, go directly to your physician's office.
Activity
Do not drive or perform any housework until all of your stitches and fluid drains have been removed. It is important that you have support around the home during this time. If you have had a lymph node dissection, make sure to use the arm on the side of the breast removal to prevent the forming of blood clots in this arm. Blood clots can be extremely dangerous. Move your arm up and down occasionally, making sure not to disturb stitches or drains. If you drive, make sure to avoid doing so until you have stopped taking heavy painkillers or narcotics.
Exercise
After a mastectomy, exercise should be performed with caution. A rip in the skin caused by over-extension during exercise can cause infection as well as the occurrence of blood clots. Avoid exercises requiring heavy lifting until the stitches have been removed. Once the stitches are removed, your skin will still be tender. Perform exercises slowly to prevent ripping. To help regain a good range of movement from your chest and shoulder area, your physician will generally prescribe you a set of exercises you can perform safely.
Tags: been removed, have been, have been removed, blood clots, make sure
