About this topic
Breast reconstruction is done to rebuild the shape of your breast. You may have had a mastectomy, which is the removal of a breast to treat cancer or other disease. Breast reconstruction may be done during or after a mastectomy. An implant or a flap of muscles and tissues from your body is used to remake your breast. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says you need to do.
- Take all your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Sleep with your head and chest raised on 2 to 3 pillows to reduce swelling.
- Your doctor may suggest you use an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- When you may use creams to lessen the scars and help the look of your breasts. Avoid using creams until your skin has healed to lower your risk of infection.
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- Ask your doctor about the best kind of bra for you to wear. Ask if you should massage or move your implants.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits.
- Any drains placed in your breasts will be removed 2 to 4 days after surgery.
- You may have stitches or staples. If so, your doctor will often want to remove the stitches or staples in 1 to 2 weeks.
- If you have a tissue expander, your doctor may need to fill the pouch with saline. Your doctor will set the schedule for follow-up.
- If you had silicone gel implants, your doctor will check them every few years using ultrasound or MRI.
- Your breasts implants may need to be replaced over time.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Prevent infection
- Treat an upset stomach
Will physical activity be limited?
You will need to limit your activity for a while. Avoid lifting, sports, and sex until your doctor says physical activity is OK. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scarring or wrinkled skin over the implant
- Implant may make cancer harder to detect
- Breast sensation may not be the same as your natural breast
- Leakage of implants
- Problem with breastfeeding
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection, such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection, such as swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Drain seems clogged and there is fluid under your surgery cuts
- Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain
- Upset stomach and throwing up that are not helped by pain drugs
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever or swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
American Cancer Society ‚
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/MoreInformation/BreastReconstructionAfterMastectomy/index ‚
American Society of Plastic Surgeons ‚
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Reconstructive-Procedures/Breast-Reconstruction.html ‚
Susan G. Komen ‚
http://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/BreastReconstruction.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚