What to expect when you have breast surgery

Breast surgery is usually the first treatment recommended for most people. It is usually undertaken at Princess Anne Hospital, although some operations may need to be done at Southampton General Hospital for people who need more medical intervention before, during or after surgery due to other medical conditions.

Most patients are discharged home on the same day as their operation (day case) once they have recovered from the anaesthetic. Some patients may stay in overnight or longer if they have other medical conditions that require close monitoring or if they have had breast reconstruction.

Most patients experience some degree of mild to moderate pain and tingling or numbness at the site of surgery (breast, armpit or both). Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are usually sufficient but co-codamol can be used for severe pain.

Mild swelling and bruising are common and expected after surgery, however, please contact the day surgery unit or breast care nursing team if this is rapidly increasing, feels tense, warm or red and is associated with systemic symptoms.

Before you leave the hospital, your nurse will give you information about your stitches and dressings. A surgical drain or pipe may have been inserted into the wound to help drain the fluid that might gather up in the wound.

You may bathe or shower 48 hours after your surgery, however, try to keep the dressing dry as it may fall off. You will be given some extra dressings at discharge which can be used if the dressings become wet or the wound weeps.

If you have any concerns about how your wound is healing, contact the day surgery unit or your breast care nursing team.