Patient information Going Home after your Breast Surgery Breast Services Directorate PIF 055 V5
This information leaflet is to help and advise you on your discharge from hospital. Clothing Bras Wear an old, comfortable bra for now - don t bother buying anything new. You may even find wearing a crop top is more comfortable. If you have had a wide local excision, you will probably feel more comfortable wearing a soft bra for support in bed at night. If you have had a Mastectomy After about six weeks you will be fitted for your permanent prosthesis. For this you do not need a special bra, but it has to be the correct size for you. The bra needs to be fully cupped, and preferably without underwire. The Breast Specialist Nurse will talk to you nearer the time about this, so please do not worry for now. Outer Clothing Try to wear the same styles as you would usually. Try not to wear baggy clothing so as to hide yourself. If you do feel selfconscious of your operation when dressed, please speak to a Breast Specialist Nurse. They can tell you of a few clever tricks which can help you disguise the operation, and possibly make you feel more confident. Your Wound As everything begins to settle back into place and knit together, the nerves around your wound will come back to life.
You will notice strange sensations all around the operation area - the wound, armpit, down the underside of your arm, your ribs and your breastbone. Unfortunately, we cannot be more specific. Please do not worry, as these sensations are to be expected. However, if you do feel you are suffering any pain or discomfort that you are concerned about, please contact your Breast Care Nurse, District Nurse or family doctor (G.P). You may experience some strange feelings (although occasionally) for some time, maybe up to 18 months. Again, this is quite normal. Try to use the arm on your affected side as much as possible. Carry on with your arm exercises for at least three months. If your arm ever swells, let the Breast Care Nurse know. You can take painkillers that you have bought from a Chemist or a supermarket for pain. But if you think that what you are feeling is not normal, please get in touch with your Breast Care Nurse, Consultant or family doctor. Some patients find their wound may swell after the tubes have been taken out. Please do not worry. If this is uncomfortable, please contact the Breast Care Nurse for advice. Skincare Use soaps and talcs that are not perfumed. Do not use spray deodorants until your wound has healed. Once your wound has healed, you can use plain, unscented colour free, moisturiser creams, or any unperfumed skin or baby lotion.
These will help you to relieve itching and ease any skin tightness. All these are available from either chemists or health stores. Housework You should aim to do everything you did before, but you will have to build up to this. If you can, try to have a couple of week s convalescence, once you get home, as you will feel more tired after your operation. Then, over the following four to six weeks build up the housework gradually. Remember to rest between household tasks, and don t feel guilty about it. If anything hurts while you are doing it, then don t push it. If something is aching the next day, you know you have overdone it the day before. Let your body be your guide. Listen to what your body is telling you. If you are unsure about anything ask your Breast Care Nurse or doctor. Driving Drive as soon as you feel able. Again, start gradually with short local journeys, and build up. You still have to wear a seat belt. It is a good idea to take another driver with you when you go out for the first time. Work Go back to work as soon as you feel able. Most women take about six weeks to recover. (Some go back earlier or part time). Only you can be the judge, because only you know what your work involves. Discuss returning to work with your employer, doctor or the Breast Care Nurse if you need guidance.
Leisure Activities Restart all normal activities as soon as you feel able. There is nothing that is off limits. If you want specific guidance on a sport or hobby, please speak to your Breast Care Nurse. As soon as your wound heals, you can start activities such as swimming again. Emotions Although it seems a long way off, you will eventually find a way of coping and coming to terms with your diagnosis and operation. However, before this time is reached, there are many emotions you will feel. It has been described as a mourning / grieving period with tears, sadness, unhappiness, upset, anger and bitterness. If you have lost someone close to you, you may recognise some of these feelings. You may even reach a point where you don t want to bother anymore. But gradually, like bereavement, time begins to heal. There will be a little bit more happiness and laughter, and less looking back. Eventually, there will be a time to accept the challenge of living life to the full again. All of this takes different lengths of time for each individual. It can take at least one year, and maybe up to two years until you begin to feel like yourself. It can help to talk about your emotions. A problem shared is a problem halved. So do not be frightened about telling your friends and family about how you are feeling. They need to know so as to understand your situation and work out how best to help you. Or you could contact the Breast Care Nurse, as she has talked to many women in similar circumstances and will understand how you are feeling.
If you feel like a good cry then do so. This is a good way of releasing tension which is better out than in and there is no need to apologise afterwards. Through all of this, a positive attitude will raise your general standard of health, and in turn improve the rate of your overall recovery, physically as well as emotionally. If you are feeling desperate, remember that there will eventually be a light at the end of the tunnel. So please do not despair. Talk to someone. Some people might find it helpful to join a local self-help group where you can share feelings with people who have had the same experiences. Sexual Emotions You may be worrying about whether you are still sexually attractive. Normally, a person sees their partner no differently, but she cannot believe this. She can think that he must see her as now being less attractive. This can lead to sexual problems unless you communicate closely with your partner. Your partner may need guidance from you as how to approach you. They worry that too soon may cause physical discomfort, but to delay would be misinterpreted and give a false impression of their feelings. It is not uncommon to have a temporary reduction in the amount of sexual intercourse or the strength of sexual feeling, but a gentle, loving and caressing attitude will pave the way to complete lovemaking.
Further information The Breast Care Nurses Tel: 0151 706 2927(24 hour answerphone) Textphone Number: 18001 0151 706 2927 Fax: 0151 706 5901 Breast Cancer Care Tel: 0808 800 6000 (Freephone) Macmillan Tel: 0808 808 00 00 There are many local support groups, please ask your Breast Care Nurse. Author: Breast Services Directorate Review date: April 2017
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