
Get answers to your Breast Cancer questions.
Dr. Tkaczuk’s Bio | Q&A Archive
Breast removal surgery; Subcutaneous mastectomy; Total mastectomy; Simple mastectomy; Modified radical mastectomy
You may stay in the hospital for 1 to 3 days, depending on the type of surgery you had. If you have a simple mastectomy, you may go home on the same day. Most women go home after 1 to 2 days. You may stay longer if you have breast reconstruction.
Many women go home with drains still in their chest. The doctor then removes them later during an office visit.
You may have pain around the site of your incision after surgery.
Fluid may collect in your armpit. This is called a seroma and is relatively common. It usually goes away on its own, but it may need to be drain.
Most women recover well after mastectomy.
In addition to surgery, you may need other treatments for breast cancer. These treatments may include hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. All have their own side effects. Talk to your doctor.
You breast cancer may respond differently to surgery and other treatments for many reasons. Talk to your doctor about these reasons.
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