Mastectomy Pre- and Post-Op Instructions

Breast Health Resources > Mastectomy Pre- and Post-Op Instructions

A few weeks before your surgery:

Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. You may bring a family member or friend for company and support, before and after your surgery.
Buy a sports bra, bra without underwire, or post-surgical bra if you do not have one. Wear it or bring it with you the day of your surgery. Refer to the additional handout provided on where to purchase an appropriate bra.

5 days before your surgery:

Stop taking aspirin or coumadin 1 week before surgery These medications can increase your risk of bleeding during surgery.
If you take other blood thinners like Xeralto, Pradaxa, Savaysa, Eliquis , stop them 24 hours prior to surgery. Check with your prescribing doctor or surgeon to determine when to stop and restart these medicines
Stop taking any herbal medication or remedies. This includes vitamin E, garlic pills, and fish oil pills. These may affect your surgery and treatment. It is okay to eat garlic and fish.
You can start taking aspirin, herbal medication or remedies again 5 days after your surgery.

24 hours before your surgery:

Drink plenty of fluids the day before surgery. This includes juice, soup, water, and fluids in your food. This will help you feel less thirsty the morning of your surgery.
Discontinue Xarelto (rivaroxaban) Eliquis(apixiban) Savaysa (edoxaban) Pradaxa (dabigatran) 24 hours before surgery. You can resume 24 hours after surgery unless you are seeing any bleeding

The night before your surgery:

Do not eat salty foods. This will help you feel less thirsty on the morning of your surgery.
Do not eat any solid food after midnight. This includes candy or chewing gum.
You can drink clear fluids up to 5 hours before your surgery. Clear fluids include: water, apple juice, ginger ale, tea and black coffee.
Do not have milk or cream in any of your drinks.

The morning of your surgery:

You must have an empty stomach before surgery. Do not swallow any liquids 5 hours before surgery. This includes both food and drinks. For example, if your surgery is scheduled for 2:00 pm, you cannot have food or drinks after 9:00 am.
Do not wear makeup and do not use deodorant, perfumes or lotions on the side of your torso (stomach, chest, breast, under-arm area, and back) to get surgery. This will help you prevent infection and stay safe during surgery. It is okay to use shampoo, face cream and lotions on other parts of your body.
If you usually take blood pressure pills or heart pills, take them with a sip of water. Do not take any other medications without talking to your doctor. Do not take any diuretics or water pills if you are unsure, talk to your surgeon or the surgical coordinator.
Leave your valuables at home. Leave your jewelry or watch at home.
Arrive at the hospital and check-in on time.

What to bring with you:

Your insurance card
Any medication you usually take. You may need to take them while in the hospital.
Slippers or comfortable shoes to walk around the hospital.
Something loose and comfortable to wear home, and something warm to wear in the hospital, including socks.
Phone and charger
A book or other entertainment. You may be waiting for a long time.

After surgery you may:

Feel nauseous (feeling of having to throw-up), or vomit (throw-up). You will have medication to treat the nausea.
Feel some pain or discomfort. Stay active and move around after the surgery to prevent complications (problems that can arise after surgery). Take your pain medication if it is uncomfortable to move around.
Feel tired.
Have some bruising and tenderness where the incision (cut made during surgery) is. You may notice this a few days after your surgery. This can last for about one month.
It’s normal to have swelling at the breast or chest, and up to an egg-sized swelling in the armpit.
Stay active and move around after the surgery to prevent complications (problems that can arise after surgery).

Begin your exercises as prescribed by your surgeon.

How to Care for Your Incision

Remove the outside dressing 2 days after surgery.
If you had breast reconstruction, leave your dressing on until you see your plastic surgeon.
Leave Steri-Strips (paper tapes) on for 14 days. They may fall off before 14 days. It is okay if this happens. After 14 days you can remove Steri-Strips by pulling them towards the incision.
If you have staples, they will be removed by your community nurse.
Do not put other lotions on the incisions until after your follow-up appointment, and your doctor says it is okay to do so.

How to Care for your Drain

If you are having a mastectomy you will have a drain. Follow the instructions below until your incision has healed. Here’s how to handle your drain:

Secure the drain to your clothing. This will help prevent pulling on your skin.
Milk the drain every 4 hours. You only need to milk the drain when you are awake. Your nurse will review how to do this right after surgery. If the drainage stops suddenly, it may be blocked. Try milking the drain a few times to clear the blockage.
Empty the drain 2 times a day. You can empty it more often if it becomes full.
- Measure the amount of fluid you remove each time and when it was emptied. Record everything on the log you were provided.
- Squeeze the drain while putting the cap back on to start the suction again.
- The drain will be removed after the amount of fluid is less than 30 milliliters in 24 hours for 2 days in a row.

Do not apply any any kind of lotion or talcum powder of close to the incision, and where you had surgery. Your doctor will let you know when you can resume use of these items.
Do not drive or operate machinery if:
- The effects of the general anesthetic (medication to help you relax and sleep) have not worn off yet. The effects of general anesthetic may continue to cause drowsiness and dizziness even after you leave the hospital.
- You are taking narcotic pain medication like dilaudid or oxycodone.
- You cannot fully move your arm(s) on the side where you had the surgery. This is in case you need to make any quick motions or need to respond quickly in case of an emergency.
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after your surgery. Alcohol may mix badly with your medication, which could make you more drowsy or dizzy.

PLEASE CALL THE CLINIC AT 505-842-8171 IF YOU NOTICE