What should I do after modified radical mastectomy?
Activity. Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting and vigorous exercise until the stitches are removed. Tell your caregiver what you do and he or she will help you make a personal plan for “what you can do when” after surgery. Walking is a normal activity that can be restarted right away.
What are some possible complications a patient may have after a radical mastectomy?
Some possible complications of mastectomy include:
- Short-term (temporary) breast swelling.
- Breast soreness.
- Hardness due to scar tissue that can form at the site of the cut (incision)
- Wound infection or bleeding.
- Swelling (lymphedema) of the arm, if lymph nodes were removed.
What are restrictions after mastectomy?
How can you care for yourself at home?
- Rest when you feel tired.
- Try to walk each day.
- Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weightlifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay.
- Avoid lifting anything over 4.5 to 7 kilograms for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
What can you not do after a mastectomy?
If you have a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy with or without a sentinel lymph node biopsy: Avoid any activity that bounces or jostles the breast for two weeks after surgery (i.e.: running, jumping, using the elliptical machine).
What treatment must be provided for modified radical mastectomy and why?
Doctors often use systemic treatments, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation therapy, alongside surgery to prevent cancer cells from growing or to shrink tumors. Some patients may have the option to have breast reconstruction surgery after they recover from a modified radical mastectomy.
What is the difference between a radical mastectomy and a modified radical mastectomy?
Both radical and modified radical mastectomy include removing the entire breast. During a modified radical mastectomy, the surgeon removes some underarm lymph nodes. The key difference is that in a radical mastectomy, the surgeon removes all the underarm lymph nodes plus the entire chest muscle.
Do you elevate arm after mastectomy?
Your arm should be raised above the level of your heart. Avoid holding your arm up for an extended period of time to reduce arm muscle fatigue.
How can I prevent seroma after mastectomy?
External compression dressing to the chest wall and axilla to obliterate the dead space has been traditionally used to reduce the incidence of seroma formation. Compression dressing generally has been abandoned, as there is only anecdotal evidence in support of its use after surgery for breast cancer.
How long should you rest after mastectomy?
How long will I be recovering from a mastectomy? It takes time to completely recover from a mastectomy. According to the American Cancer Society, most women can return to their normal activities in about 4 weeks . However, recovery can be longer for some individuals, potentially taking months.
What is the recovery time for a modified radical mastectomy?
Aftercare and recovery time Most people stay in the hospital for 1–2 nights after a radical mastectomy. At home, recovery time takes about 4 weeks. It can take longer if a person also has breast reconstruction surgery. Bruising and some swelling is normal after surgery.