Breast cancer surgery involves removing the tumor and nearby margins and could possibly mean the complete loss of breast tissue. The most common form of treatment for breast cancer is surgery so it is best to learn as much as you can when you are getting ready for your breast cancer surgery. At Onco Life Hospitals you can be assured of treatment from the best breast cancer surgeons in Pune and surrounding areas.
The most common type of cancer is breast cancer so there is a good chance breast cancer has touched the life of someone you know. Thankfully due to advances in medical techniques, more and more women benefit from early detection and advances in treatment. These days a very large number of patients are able to successfully recover from breast cancer.
Quality healthcare from a great breast surgeon in Pune at a leading cancer care hospital such as Onco Life Hospital, allows breast cancer survivors to live long, satisfying, happy lives post-surgery. The oldest living survivor is currently Thelma Sutcliffe of America who just turned 114 years. She has been able to survive breast cancer twice during her lifetime.
What to expect during Breast Cancer Surgery
No matter what kind of breast cancer surgery you are going to have, you’ll need to get ready. One of the first things you’ll need to do is provide your breast surgeon in Pune with your medical history. Your doctor will want to know if you have any conditions that might affect how your body responds to surgery at this time.
Ensure your cancer surgeon is aware of any medications, heart disease, diabetes or blood pressure issues prior to the decision to undergo breast surgery. Tests ordered by your doctor could include a chest X-ray, EKG, and blood and urine tests and perhaps also a CT scan.
Types of Breast Cancer Surgery
One you are diagnosed with breast cancer, the best time for surgery is generally less than 90 days. Lumpectomy, mastectomy (partial or radical) and lymph node removal are three common surgical procedures to treat breast cancer.
When only part of the breast containing the cancer is removed is a breast conserving surgery which is called a partial mastectomy while a radical mastectomy removes all of the breast tissue of the affected breast. This is necessary for patients whose cancer has invaded the muscle.
A mastectomy usually takes one to three hours. Breast cancer surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure and most people are ready to go home on the same day of the operation. In the case of a radical mastectomy your hospital stay will last on average 3 days or less. If you have a mastectomy and reconstruction at the same time, you may be in the hospital a little longer.
Be aware that you will have some pain after breast surgery. Remember that this is nothing to worry about usually, the pain you feel straight after your surgery is normally the result of injury to the skin or muscles. For most people, this pain is temporary and goes away after you heal from the surgery.
Life After Breast Cancer Surgery
Post-surgery there are some do and don’ts to follow as you recover from the procedure. Refrain from getting your breasts wet so be careful when you bathe. You need to make sure that you keep the incision done by the breast surgeon in Pune clean and dry for 1 week after surgery. Bathing is okay if you keep the incision area dry so you may need to take sponge baths rather than showers for some time and avoid any swimming pool during the first weeks after the surgery.
Give your body proper time to heal so rest for a few days before you resume work or any strenuous activity. Do not smoke as it negatively impacts your body’s ability to heal after a surgery. Avoid uncomfortable clothing such as an underwire bra and instead wear a doctor recommended soft, yet supportive bra during the first few weeks. Avoid doing any heavy lifting or strenuous upper body exercises post operation.
Take your medications regularly, exercise your shoulders and Arms and eat right. Breast cancer patients should avoid foods that contain high amounts of saturated fat such as red meats, ice cream, and butter. Most breast surgeons in Pune recommend sleeping on your back so that gravity cannot affect your chest muscles, reducing the risk of painful stretching and pulling of your muscles.
Having breast cancer surgery is a big step for women because your body will go through permanent changes that can be tough to deal with. So most importantly, select the best breast surgeon in Pune and after the surgery learn to let it go and focus on getting better.
