What is a mastectomy?

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove breast tissue.

You may require a single mastectomy or a double mastectomy if there are cancer cells in the breast tissue on both sides.

Your surgeon may also remove lymph nodes to prevent further spread.

The circumstances in which a mastectomy is recommended

There are two main reasons for having a mastectomy.

A breast cancer diagnosis

In some cases of early breast cancer, a lumpectomy is sufficient, but many women are advised to have a full mastectomy to ensure that all the cancer cells have been removed.

Gene mutations that raise the risk of breast cancer

Some women carry gene mutations which significantly increase their lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Sometimes extra monitoring of breast health is sufficient, but in other circumstances, a double mastectomy is recommended to control the risk of cancer.

The mastectomy procedure

During mastectomy surgery, your surgeon will make an incision in the breast and then remove the breast tissue.

Lymph node removal may also be performed under your arm to check whether the cancer cells have spread out of the breast.

The procedure takes up to 90 minutes and is performed under general anaesthesia.

Mastectomy recovery

Recovery takes different lengths of time for different women, as various factors influence your mastectomy recovery and the healing process.

These include your general health at the time of the procedure, the type of mastectomy that you have had, the impact of other therapeutic treatments and whether you choose to have a breast reconstruction at the same time as your mastectomy surgery.

The initial recovery period

You will wake up in our recovery room after your surgery, where you will be cared for by our specialist team. You may have wound drains to prevent a build up of fluid in the chest area, or your operative wound may be covered with a simple dressing, depending on the type of procedure.

There will be some discomfort which you will be able to control with patient-controlled analgesia.

The recovery process

We will monitor your recovery at regular follow-up appointments at our breast cancer clinic.

Even when your skin is completely healed, your muscles and other tissues around the upper arm and shoulder may still be impacted by surgery, especially if you have had lymph nodes removed from under your arm. 

Many women experience a stiff shoulder after a mastectomy, and you will be encouraged to do arm and shoulder exercises after a few weeks to restore mobility and strength to this area.

Your surgical team and breast care nurse will support you every step of the way during your recovery.

Returning to work after mastectomy surgery and recovery

Most patients feel well enough to return to work a couple of months after their breast surgery, but this may be delayed depending on the physical demands of your job.

Breast reconstruction

Many women choose to have reconstructive surgery to restore the shape of their breasts after a mastectomy.

You may choose to have a breast implant or to have your new breasts created using your own tissue taken from elsewhere on your body.

It is possible to have immediate reconstruction after your mastectomy or at a later date if that fits in better with your treatment plan. Your surgeons will discuss your options with you, and the breast care team will support you throughout every stage.

Other Types of Mastectomy Surgery

Nipple Sparing Mastectomy

A traditional mastectomy involves the removal of the nipple as well as the rest of the breast tissue. However, in this technique, the nipple is preserved. It is performed when breast cancer cells are located distant from the nipple and in patients having a mastectomy due to genetic risk factors.

Risk-Reducing Mastectomy

This is the term used for a preventive or prophylactic mastectomy carried out for women who have a high chance of developing breast cancer.

Skin Sparing Mastectomy

This type of breast cancer surgery preserves the skin envelope, making breast reconstruction easier. It is the preferred option for women with large breasts who want a smaller cup size after reconstructive surgery.

The risks of mastectomy surgery

All surgery carries risks, and mastectomy surgery is no exception.

Possible complications include blood clots, wound infection and pain. However, the excellent aftercare that our patients receive will ensure that your healing process is as smooth as possible.

Will I need any further treatment after my mastectomy?

Breast cancer treatment often requires a combination of therapies in addition to the surgical approach.

Our multidisciplinary team provides a full spectrum of treatment, including hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Breast Cancer Surgery at Birmingham Breast Group

If you would like to find out more about mastectomy surgery and recovery at one of our clinics in Birmingham, please contact us on 0121 704 0383 or email info@birminghambreastgroup.com.

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