Patient Education Materials

Segmental Mastectomy: After Your Surgery

These discharge instructions will give you general information on caring for yourself after you leave the hospital. Please read these instructions and refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. Your doctor may also give you specific information. If you have any problems or questions after discharge, please call your doctor.

Activity

Your doctor will tell you when you may go back to activities that take a lot of strength, like driving and sports. After the drain(s) is removed, you may do light housework. You should avoid heavy lifting, carrying, or pushing (nothing heavier than five pounds) until further notice. Take frequent rest periods. You may tire more easily than usual. After doing any activity, rest and elevate the arm affected by your surgery for a period of time equal to your activity time.

Continue doing the exercises given to you by your physical or occupational therapist after full range of motion has returned. The amount of time this takes will vary from person to person. Generally, after normal range of motion has returned, you may have some stiffness and soreness for two to three months. Stiffness and soreness are normal and will slowly go away.

When your doctor allows, begin sports or strenuous activities slowly. Don’t overdo it. This will give you a chance to rebuild your strength. Continue to be careful about heavy lifting or carrying (no more than 10 pounds) with your affected arm. Your doctor will tell you when you can return to work.

Nutrition

You can go back to your normal diet as soon as you leave the hospital. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids (six to eight glasses a day). Try to eat a well-balanced diet. Daily portions of food from the meat, dairy, bread, and fruit and vegetable groups are necessary for your good health.

Hygiene

You may wash your hair. Follow your doctor’s advice on bathing. Generally, if your incision is not leaking fluid or separated, you may shower or tub bathe.

Pain control

You may have some mild discomfort. Take pain relievers as prescribed. If none were prescribed, you may take an “over-the-counter” pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin). Call your doctor if your pain gets worse.

Incision care

Drain care

If you have a drain in place, please refer to instructions provided for “Surgical Drain Care.”

Arm and hand care

If the lymph nodes under your arm were removed, there may be a greater chance of swelling in the arm. If possible, do not use that arm to have your blood pressure taken. If you need to have blood drawn or injections, use the other arm.

Here are some other guidelines:

• Use hand lotion to soften cuticles instead of cutting them.
• Use an electric shaver to shave your underarms. You may use a deodorant after the incision has completely healed.
• Be careful when cooking, sewing, and gardening to avoid burns or needle or thorn pricks.
• Do not weigh your arm straight down with a package or your purse.
• Follow the exercises and instructions given to you by your physical or occupational therapist and your physician.

Follow-up

Please remember to call your doctor’s office for a follow-up appointment.

When to call your doctor

If you feel feverish or have shaking chills, take your temperature. If your temperature is 100.4 F (38 C) or above, call your doctor. The fever may mean there is an infection. You should also call your doctor if you have redness, draining, swelling, or separation of skin at your incision site.