You may not need to stay in the hospital

•    Excisional biopsy 

•    A bandage should be placed on your breast to cover the incision 

•    Lumpectomy with either axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy usually does not require an overnight hospital stay. This procedure is often performed on an outpatient basis 

Note: Mastectomy with either axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy usually only requires an overnight stay in the hospital. 

After surgery is performed

•    The bandage over the incision should be kept dry until your follow-up appointment

•    You may have tubes, or “drains” from the breast or underarm to remove fluid; You will receive instructions on caring for them 

•    Drains, if you have them, may remain in place for 1 or 2 weeks. When fluid lessens to about 1 ounce a day, the drains are removed

•    See your doctor for follow-up in 1 or 2 weeks 

Wound care 

•    You can wear your bra for support 

•    Use an ice compress on the wound during first 24 hours after surgery to reduce swelling 

•    You may see drainage on the bandage and that is not unusual 

•    The wound should be covered at least for 3 days 

•    You can remove the bandage if it gets wet and replace it with a dry bandage (available from local pharmacies) 

Drain care

•    Wash your hands before handling the drain 

  °    Open the valve (bulb will expand). Gently squeeze the fluid from the bulb into the measuring container 

  °    Squeeze the bulb tightly to get all the air out, and use the other hand to close the valve with the stopper

  °    The vacuum in the bulb will reactivate the suction

•    Measure the amount of the drainage every time when you empty it 

•    Keep a daily record for each drain 

•    The time to empty the drain(s) are in the morning, midday, and before bedtime 

•    Empty the drain when it is one third to half full (when the bulb is compressed) or as needed 

•    Remember to keep a record of the drainage amount for each drain and every time you emptied the drain 

•    Bring the record with you when return for follow up 

Daily Activity

•    You can continue with daily activities as normal 

•    Avoid heavy lifting and sports until your follow-up visit

Pain control

•    You may take some painkiller as needed 

Please contact us 

•    If you have acute swelling 

•    If you have blood coming from the wound 

•    Fever, temperature>38.3℃

•    If you have any concerns please call 

Contact number: 86 21 5339- 3128   Monday to Friday,8am to 8pm.

Please contact 400-868-3000 (24/7 hotline) if not in business hours.

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