20 AIRPORT VOICE, OCTOBER 2021
PEOPLE + TECHNOLOGY
WWW.APIGLOBALSOLUTIONS.COM
Mastectomy
Things you should know
Mastectomy is a treatment
for women diagnosed with
breast cancer or those who are
genetically predisposed to cancer.
The removal of one or both
breasts, mastectomy surgery
may involve removing just the
breast tissue or, in some cases,
the lymph nodes as well.
Data from the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality
says its analysis points to a
36 percent increase of both single
and double mastectomies
between the period of 2005 and
2013, the most recent year for
data.
Women on the precipice of
mastectomy surgery will naturally
have many questions concerning
the procedure and projected
recovery. The process of
recovering is different for everyone,
and not all mastectomies
are the same. The following is
a general idea of what patients
can expect before and after
mastectomy surgery:
Before surgery
A mastectomy is performed
under general anesthesia, advises
the nonprofit group Susan
G. Komen. Therefore, patients
should expect to undergo routine
physical exams and may
require a surgical pre-clearance
from a doctor and the surgical
hospital or center. Blood tests
and an EKG may be ordered as
well.
Prior to surgery, patients can
begin making plans for childcare,
meal preparation, shopping,
work requirements, and
more. As mastectomy is an invasive
procedure, patients may
experience pain and fatigue
after surgery. Having various
plans in play well before the
surgery date can relieve some
stress and help patients focus
on their recoveries.
Purchase comfortable clothing
that will be loose around the
arms and chest. Zip-up tops or
those with front buttons afford
easy access. Some women
also opt to get fitted for post-op
garments, including a lymphedema
sleeve. Lymphedema is
a swelling of the area, and it is a
common side effect. It is helpful
to be prepared before such
items are needed.
After surgery
Mastectomy surgeries typically
last between two and three
hours. Some may last longer if
reconstruction is performed at
the same time. Patients will be
admitted to a hospital stay for
a day or two and moved to a
recovery room, and will need
to be driven home upon discharge.
Expect to be bandaged and
possibly have a surgical drain
at the wound site. The nonprofit
resource Breastcancer.org says
the drain usually remains in
place one to two weeks after
surgery. Fluid will have to be
emptied from the detachable
drain bulb a few times per day.
Sutures that are dissolvable will
not require removal.
Patients should follow the
recovery plans outlined by their
doctors. Rest is most important
during this time, so do not
overdo exercise or other activities,
although some movements
to relieve shoulder stiffness
may be advised.
Pain, numbness, itching,
and myriad other symptoms
may occur. Take pain medications
only as needed and directed.
Weakness is expected
in the arms and shoulders. Ask
for help lifting, moving, or picking
up items.
Emotional side effects can
be just as profound as physical
ones. Fear of the cancer, body
image issues, and a sense of
loss can occur. Having a strong
support team can help, as can
speaking with a professional
counselor.
It can take several weeks to
start feeling like oneself again
after mastectomy surgery.
Women should not hold themselves
up to anyone else’s standards
and be patient and hopeful
because this challenging
time is temporary. Learn more
at Breastcancer.org.
/WWW.APIGLOBALSOLUTIONS.COM
/Breastcancer.org
/Breastcancer.org