After Your Benign Breast Surgery (The James)

 

This handout gives you information about what will happen during and after your surgery. If you have more questions after reading this information, talk to your nurse or doctor.

 

Day of Surgery

  • A nurse practitioner or surgical resident will talk with you about your health and your surgery. This may be done during pre-admission testing or in the Ambulatory Surgery Unit (ASU).
  • You and one family member or friend will be taken to the pre-surgical area. Other family and friends will be directed to the waiting area. Your doctor will call or come to the waiting area after your surgery to talk with your family and friends.
  • When you arrive in the pre-surgical area, a nurse will talk with you. The nurse will check your identification (ID) band and ask if you have any allergies. You will also meet the anesthesiologist and the other staff who will be with you in surgery. Tell the staff if there is anything special you want them to know. Your surgeon will also talk with you before your surgery and answer any questions you have.
  • Your hair will be covered with a paper net and your vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse and breathing rate) will be checked.
  • The nurse will put an intravenous (IV) catheter in your arm opposite of your surgery site. An IV catheter is a long, thin, flexible tube placed in a vein in your arm to give you fluid and medicines. You will be given medicine to help you relax and make you sleepy.

 

Recovery from Surgery

Until you are fully awake, you will only be given ice chips to help with your thirst. Once you are awake, you can have fluids. If your stomach is upset (nausea) you can be given crackers or toast. When you can take medicine by mouth, it is best to take it with food to help prevent nausea.

 

Pain Control

You are encouraged to take your pain medicine so you will be comfortable when you turn, cough, deep breathe and walk. Pain medicine works best if you take it before the pain gets out of control. Ask your nurse for pain medicine before your pain becomes severe. Pain medicine may be given through your IV or as a pill that you take by mouth.

Before you leave the hospital you will be given directions on how to use over-the-counter medicines to help manage your pain at home. You may take:

  • Ibuprofen/Advil/Motrin (200 mg). Take 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain. Do not take this medicine if you have stomach problems, a history of ulcers or are taking blood thinners such as Coumadin.
  • Acetaminophen/Regular Strength Tylenol (325 mg). Take 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed for mild pain. Do not take this medicine if you have liver disease. Do not take more than 3,000 mg each day. Do not take this medicine if you are taking other acetaminophen pain medicines such as Percocet, Vicodin or Norco.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about using over-the-counter pain medicines.

 

Constipation

Constipation is when you are not able to have a bowel movement (BM) for several days or have stools that are hard or difficult to pass without straining. Constipation is a common problem. Even if you are not eating, you still need to have a bowel movement at least every 2 days.

Drink fluids - Unless you are told otherwise, drink 8 to 10 cups of non-caffeinated, fluid each day. Do not drink alcohol.

Physical Activity - Walk if you are able. Check with your doctor before you start any new exercises.

Use Laxatives and Stool Softeners - You may need to take medicine each day for your constipation. Talk with your doctor about how to use laxatives and stool softeners to control constipation.

 

When should I call my doctor about my constipation?

You should call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:

  • Watery stools (this can be a sign of severe constipation or too much bowel medicine)
  • No bowel movement in 48 hours
  • Small stools
  • Hard stools
  • Pain with bowel movements
  • Straining with bowel movements

 

Care at Home

Your nurse will go over care instructions with you before you leave the hospital. Here are some things to remember as you recover from your surgery.

 

Incision Care

  • You will have 1 to 2 incisions, depending on your type of surgery. Your stitches will be on the inside.
  • The nurse will put a check (√) by the information about how your incision was closed:

Special tape (steri-strips) - If you have steri-strips, leave the steri-strips on until they fall off by themselves. If the strips have not come off 2 weeks after your surgery, you may remove them.

Surgical glue (Dermabond) - If your incision was closed with surgical glue (Dermabond), do not use any creams, lotions, rubbing alcohol, moisturizers or Neosporin on the incision area.

  • The nurse will put a check (√) by the information about your dressing:

☐ A dressing will be put over the incision(s). The dressing can be removed 2 days after surgery.

☐ A surgical bra will be put on you after surgery. This should be kept on for __________ days.

  • Leave your incision(s) open to air and keep it clean and dry.
  • Check your incision(s) each day and call your doctor if you see any signs of infection including:
    • Redness
    • Increased amount of drainage
    • Drainage that smells bad
  • Call your doctor if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.
  • You may shower __________ days after surgery. Stand with your back to the showerhead to keep water from spraying directly on your incision(s). Do not scrub your incisions. You may want to cover your incision(s) with plastic wrap to keep water out. For your safety, have someone nearby to help you if needed.
  • Do not use deodorant or powder until your incision(s) have healed. Do not use any products that may cause a rash or irritate your skin.

 

Activity

  • You can use the arm on the side of your surgery to eat, comb hair and do light activities. The nurse will put a check (√) in the box for how high you can raise your arm:

☐ 45 degrees

☐ 90 degrees

  • Do not lift anything that weighs more than 5 to 10 pounds (a gallon of milk weighs 8.6 pounds).
  • Elevate your arm on pillows when you sit or at night for one week after your surgery.
  • You may have sex whenever you feel comfortable, but do not put pressure on your incision(s) or breast.
  • You may be told to wear a bra. Choose a soft, tight fitting bra like a sports bra with a front closure. If you had a lumpectomy, a bra will give you added support.

 

Follow-up Appointment

It is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor 1 week after your surgery. If you have any questions after you leave the hospital, call your doctor’s office.

 

Helpful Phone Numbers

  • James Emergency Services Unit at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Emergency Department (614) 293-8333
  • Department of Surgical Oncology (614) 293-4040

 

 

© September 13, 2022. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.