Mastectomy

Need to know

• What happens during surgery? icon plus

  This procedure is carried out under a general anaesthetic, so you'll be asleep. During the operation, your surgeon will make a horizontal or diagonal cut on your breast so they can remove the breast tissue. Some skin will also be removed, the amount depends on the type of mastectomy you have. Your nipple may or may not need to be removed.
  
  Your surgeon will insert drains to stop fluid and blood building up. These are usually left in for around three to five days. Sometimes breast reconstruction surgery is done at the same time. The size of your scar depends on the amount of skin and tissue being removed.

• How to prepare icon plus

  Before having a mastectomy, talk to your consultant about what's involved. They'll be able to talk to you about how the operation could affect you both physically and emotionally. Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
  
  As you're having general anaesthetic, your consultant will tell you how long to avoid eating and drinking beforehand. You may need to have chemotherapy or hormone therapy to reduce the size of any tumours before your surgery.
  
  A breast reconstruction may be carried out immediately after a mastectomy but this depends on your treatment plan.

• After surgery icon plus

  You'll be cared for in hospital overnight following surgery. Your consultant will let you know when you can go home. How long you need to stay depends on the type of surgery you have, but you may need to stay for a few days.
  
  Your consultant or nurse will let you know how to look after your wounds, and also talk to you about what type of bra you can wear. It usually takes around three to six weeks to recover fully.