Breast Surgery Basics

Preparing for surgery can be overwhelming. You may have questions about what lifestyle adjustments you need to make, and how to ensure a smooth and safe recovery after your procedure.

Whether you need surgery for breast cancer treatment or reconstruction, AHN Surgery Institute at Saint Vincent Hospital is here to support you each step of the way and help you make the best decisions for your health.

Reasons for breast surgery

There are many reasons why you might need breast surgery, including:

• Breast cancer treatment.
• Removing a non-cancerous lump.
• Treating breast inflammation or infection (common in new mothers who are lactating).
• Changing the appearance of one or both breasts (breast reconstruction).
• Reducing cancer risk, based on genetic factors.

AHN Saint Vincent’s surgical team treats both non-cancerous and cancerous breast conditions. Your AHN provider will help you decide if surgery is the right choice based on your health needs.

Breast cancer surgeries

While most irregular mammograms and biopsies aren’t a sign of cancer, your primary care physician or OB-GYN may refer you to an AHN breast surgery specialist if they see something unusual that should be evaluated.

For breast cancer treatment, there are two main types of surgery involving the breast itself:

• Partial mastectomy (lumpectomy) – This involves removing a tumor from the breast, along with a small amount of normal surrounding tissue. Surgeons often use this technique to preserve as much healthy breast tissue as possible, instead of doing a total mastectomy. Partial mastectomies are often followed by radiation therapy to treat remaining tissue and reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence.
• Mastectomy – This involves removing all native breast tissue, and it can be performed with or without breast reconstruction. In cases where patients choose not to pursue reconstruction, the excess breast skin and the nipple are generally removed during the procedure.

Breast cancer surgery can also involve the removal of lymph nodes from the underarm region of the affected breast:

• Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) – This procedure involves removing a sample of lymph nodes from the underarm, to determine if cancer has spread from the breast to the draining lymph nodes. The sentinel nodes are the first lymph nodes likely to receive any cancer cells from the breast cancer. The SLNB procedure is done by injecting a dye or radioactive substance into the affected breast, which is then absorbed by the lymph nodes, making them easier to identify and remove.
• Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) – This surgery involves the complete removal of all draining lymph nodes of the affected breast. ALND is sometimes needed in cases of advanced breast cancer where lymph nodes test positive for cancer cells.

Breast reconstruction

There are many ways to reconstruct the breast after undergoing a mastectomy. A few of these procedures include implant-based reconstruction (use of a silicone or saline breast implant), autologous-based reconstruction (use of patients’ own body fat and blood vessels to rebuild the breast), and symmetry-based reconstruction to achieve symmetrical breasts.

Breast surgery, as well as radiation therapy, can sometimes change the size and shape of one or both breasts. During planning for breast cancer treatment, your doctors may talk with you about surgery options to ensure your breasts are matching in appearance.

Don’t delay bringing up your questions or concerns. If you notice changes in your breast appearance, ask your doctor whether you qualify for breast reconstruction, and what your options are.

Making the right decision for you

Your AHN surgery team will use their expertise to recommend the best treatment, but you will always be involved in decision-making about your care.

For breast cancer surgery, you may need to decide:

• Whether to have surgery before or after chemotherapy.
• Whether to have a single (unilateral) or double (bilateral) mastectomy. 

Your doctors will guide you through your options and help you choose the best plan for a smooth surgery and recovery.

Recovery

Recovery time depends on the type of surgery.

Partial mastectomies (lumpectomies) don’t usually cause a lot of pain after surgery, and most patients go home the same day as their procedure. Your post-surgery care team may recommend you wear a surgical support bra and use ice and Tylenol to manage pain. You should not do any heavy lifting for the first week after surgery.

Recovering from a mastectomy can be more painful; you will generally need to take three to six weeks (or longer if reconstruction is involved) to return to heavy lifting or high-impact exercise. However, with proper pain management, you can return to daily activities upon discharge. You should expect slight activity and weight (no heavier than 10 lbs.) restrictions for the first couple of weeks. Listening to your body during this time is very important for your safety and well-being.

After surgery, your care team will connect you with other AHN specialists, like oncologists, plastic surgeons, and physical therapists. AHN Saint Vincent’s nurse navigators will also be there to support you through your treatment journey and help you navigate life after surgery.

Take charge of your health

At AHN, you’re in control of your health decisions. We are here to support and empower you — helping you find the best treatment plan for your surgery and long-term health. Reach out today to learn more about surgery options at AHN Saint Vincent.