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cancer treatment - getting back to normal
after surgery for breast cancer
You will be encouraged to get out of bed and start moving about as soon as possible after your operation. You may have a drainage tube to drain fluid from the wound. This is usually be removed 1 or 2 days after the operation. Sometimes it needs to be kept in a little longer, and you can go home with it still in place. An appointment will be made for you to see your nurse to have it removed.
Pain or soreness
After your operation you may have some pain or discomfort around your wound and under your arm. This may continue for some weeks. You will be given painkillers. If you still have pain it is important to tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible, so that more effective painkillers or physiotherapy can be prescribed.
Some women find that their breast and arm are sore for up to a year after the treatment. For some women it may continue after this time. If you have continuing pain or soreness, you can ask your doctor to refer you to a pain control specialist. They can assess your pain and advise you on treatments that may help.
Shoulder stiffness
Some women find that they have stiffness in the shoulder. You should make an appointment with the physiotherapist who will show you exercises to improve this.
Swelling around the wound
The area around the wound will be bruised after your operation. It is also likely to look swollen for a while because of a build up of fluid. Sometimes there is quite a lot of fluid, which may be uncomfortable.This is called aseroma and can be easily drained with a needle. This may need to be done more than once.
Numbness and tingling in the upper arm
You may have numbness and tingling in your upper arm after axillary surgery. This is because nerves supplying the area have been cut or bruised during the surgery. These feelings usually get better over time, but there is often a small area of skin which remains affected.
Breast prosthesis
After a mastectomy (and sometimes partial mastectomy), you will be given a soft temporary prosthesis, which you can put inside your bra. Six to ten weeks later, when your wound has fully healed, you can be fitted with a permanent prosthesis. This is a false breast that closely matches the size and shape of your other breast and is worn inside your bra. They are made of soft plastic (silicone) and feel pliable. A variety are available, and you can make an appoitment with the stockist. You are entitled to government funding for this if:
- You are a New zealand citizen or have residency
- You have had a partial or total mastectomy without reconstruction
A medical certificate for this will be provided by St Mark’s.
Follow-up appointment
You will be given an appointment to see your surgeon a few days after your surgery. Your pathology results will be discussed with you then and any further treatments recommended will also be discussed. Please feel free to bring a relative or friend to this appoitment and to ask any questions.
Taking care of yourself
When you get home, take things gently for a while. You are likely to feel physically and emotionally exhausted, so try to have plenty of rest and eat a well-balanced diet. You will be advised not to lift or carry anything heavy, nor to drive for a few weeks. Some insurance policies give specific time limits for not driving after surgery, and you may need to check this with your insurance company.
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