Mastectomy

What is a mastectomy?

A mastectomy is surgery to remove your breast to stop cancer from spreading elsewhere in your body.

You might be a candidate for a mastectomy if you have early-stage breast cancer but aren’t a candidate for a lumpectomy or cancer returns after a previous lumpectomy or radiation treatments.

The Southwest Surgical Associates providers may also recommend a mastectomy to address advanced-stage cancer or if you have two or more tumors in different areas of your breast.

Women who don’t have breast cancer but are at high risk for developing the disease because of genetic factors or family history may be candidates for a mastectomy as a preventive measure against cancer.

What happens during a mastectomy?

Before your surgery date, you can expect to meet with the Southwest Surgical Associates surgeons to discuss your surgery. At that time, you should decide if you want to have breast reconstruction following the removal of your breast tissue.

On the day of your surgery, the surgeons use advanced surgical techniques to remove the tissue from one or both of your breasts. They may also remove nearby lymph nodes for further testing to see if cancer is spreading. If no cancer is present, the surgeons won’t remove any more lymph nodes.

If you’re having breast construction surgery, the surgeons can place tissue expanders in your chest to form the new breast mound. If you must undergo radiation to destroy any remaining cancer cells, you may need to delay your reconstruction surgery until your therapy is complete.

How long does it take to recover from a mastectomy?

After a mastectomy, the Southwest Surgical Associates physicians help manage any pain you have and teach you how to care for the surgical site to prevent infection and other complications.

It can take several weeks to heal from surgery before you can return to work and other activities. The providers may recommend starting therapeutic exercises a few days after your mastectomy to improve blood circulation and help your incisions heal more efficiently.

You should schedule a follow-up appointment with your surgeon about a week after your surgery to ensure you’re healing properly. The providers can determine when you’re well enough to resume your usual activities.

To schedule a consultation for a mastectomy, call the Southwest Surgical Associates office near you today or book an appointment online.

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