Daily Activities v.1

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A MASTECTOMY
What can I Expect after surgery?

Full recovery may take 4 to 8 weeks. You might experience some of the following
symptoms:
 Stiffness and pain in your shoulder, chest, and arm. This stiffness gets better
over time and with exercises. Discuss the appropriate management of pain
with your doctor.
 Swelling (lymphedema) in the arm on the side of your surgery. This usually
occurs much later and it can be a lasting problem. Your occupational therapist
or orthotist can help with this.
 You may go home with drains in your chest. This will help drain the fluid from
your incision and prevent swelling. Your surgeon will decide when to remove
these drains, usually in a week or two.
 You may feel many different sensations in your arm, chest, or chest wall. (eg.
tenderness, numbness, twinges, wetness). It may also feel like your breast or
nipple is still present. This is called a phantom sensation. Because of the
change in sensation, don’t place anything hot or cold directly on your surgical
site (such as hot water bottles, heating pads, or ice packs).
 As you continue to heal, you may feel scar tissue along your incision site(s). It
will feel hard. This is common, and it will soften over the next few months.
Talk to your occupational therapist about scar massaging.
 You may need time to adjust to losing your breast. Talking to other women
who have had mastectomies can help you deal with these feelings.
Tubes, Drains and Wound Care
Follow instructions on how to empty drains and measure how

much fluid drains from them.
Stitches are often placed under the skin and dissolve on their
own. If your surgeon used clips, you will go back to the doctor
to have them removed. This usually takes place 7 to 10 days
after surgery.
Instructions may include:

● If you have a dressing, change it every day until your
doctor says you do not need to.
● Do not scrub the strips of surgical tape or surgical glue. Let them fall off on
their own.
● Wash the wound area with mild soap and water.

● Do not sit in a bathtub, pool, or hot tub until your doctor tells you it is OK.
● You may shower after all of your dressings have been removed.
Wearing A Bra
If you got a surgical bra, keep wearing it until your drains have
been removed. After that, talk with your healthcare provider
about what to wear. Your surgical bra will provide support, help
keep you comfortable, and hold your drains in place. You
should wear your surgical bra while you sleep but take it off it
before you shower. While you’re healing from your surgery or
going through the different stages of breast reconstruction, your
bra can be padded to help balance your appearance.
Breast Prosthesis
After surgery for breast cancer every woman must make
a choice about how to restore her appearance. This will
depend on her circumstances, the nature of the surgery
as well as her expectations and needs.
If breast reconstruction is not recommended or chosen, a

wide range of breast prostheses is available in different
shapes, sizes and colours.
● Soft prosthesis: This is a lightweight prosthesis

made of a synthetic washable fibre in a cotton cover. It is particularly suitable
for wearing during the first weeks after surgery and is often worn in a soft
elastic camisole, which is comfortable after surgery or during radiotherapy.
You can adjust the size to match your opposite breast by adding or taking out
the cotton fluff inside.
● Partial breast prosthesis: This is used to fill out the shape of the breast after
a lumpectomy (wide local excision) if the shape of the breast has changed
noticeably.
● Shell prosthesis: This is hollow and designed to fit over the breast or
remaining breast tissue to enhance the shape of the breast.
● Non-silicone breast prosthesis: This is lightweight prosthesis made of foam
or fibre filler and can be worn during exercise, swimming and warm weather.
● External silicone breast prosthesis: this is a weighted silicone prosthesis
designed to simulate natural breast tissue. Because it has the same weight as
the natural breast, it can help to maintain a good posture and prevent
shoulder drop and problems with balance.
● Self-supporting breast prosthesis: this prosthesis has and adhesive
substance on the skin side which adheres to the skin. This adhesive may be
reactivated, when necessary, with a special gel or water. This prosthesis may
feel more natural and secure, particularly for women who are physically
active. It is not recommended during radiotherapy, as the skin may be
sensitive.
Advantages of a Prosthesis
A prosthesis that is weighted correctly and fits properly helps to maintain your natural
posture and improves you appears. It prevents:
● Spinal curvature as a result of imbalance

● Shoulder drop
● Muscle contracture in neck or back pain
● Ill-fitting clothes as a result of an incorrect posture
Obvious difference in the size of the breasts, drawing attention to your appearance.
What to Expect at home?

Some of your daily activities will need to be adjusted while you are recovering. These
are some examples:
 Putting on clothes: Wear loose and soft clothing to prevent irritation of the
wound. Avoid wearing tight-fitted clothes with rough textures.
 Bathing/showering: Bathing instead of showering will prevent the wound
dressings from getting wet. Be careful to push yourself up out of the bath using
the affected arm. Another option is to use a shower chair and hand-held shower
head. A long-handled sponge can also help to wash areas that are difficult to
reach.
 Household tasks: You might not be allowed to reach far overhead to protect the
clips/sutures. (eg. taking something out of a high cupboard or hanging clothes on
a washing line). Rather use a small step or ask someone to help. You might not
be allowed to pick up heavy objects (more than 2.5kg). Ask someone to help with
the heavy household tasks.
Sexual Activity
You can start sexual activity again when you feel ready. Having sexual intercourse
won’t harm your surgical area.
It may be helpful to let your partner see your incision soon after surgery. This may
ease any worries you both might have. Let your partner know what is and isn’t
comfortable. Avoid putting pressure on the surgical site in the first weeks after
surgery. Try placing a small pillow or towel over the surgical area. If you have any
questions, talk with your nurse.
Don’t use any form of hormonal birth control. Your birth control options are:
● Male condoms
● Diaphragm
● Copper T IUD. If you’re interested in this method, talk with your gynaecologist.
This type of IUD can be kept in place for a long as 10 years or can be
removed earlier.
Keep using birth control during your treatment and until your doctor tells you it’s safe
to try to get pregnant.

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WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A MASTECTOMY

What can I Expect after surgery?

Tubes, Drains and Wound Care

Follow instructions on how to empty drains and measure how

Instructions may include:

● Wash the wound area with mild soap and water.

If breast reconstruction is not recommended or chosen, a

● Soft prosthesis: This is a lightweight prosthesis

● Spinal curvature as a result of imbalance

What to Expect at home?

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