These notes give an overall guide to your stay in hospital. You may see some differences in the details of your treatment, since it is tailored to suit your own condition.

• What does the operation consist of?
  
  
• What happens before the operation?
  
  
• What happens after the operation?
  
  
• General Advice

WHAT DOES THE OPERATION CONSIST OF?

You have a lump or thickened area or an abnormal area on a mammogram x-ray in your breast which is cause of enough concern to warrant a biopsy. This entails removing the area concerned and having a microscopic examination performed. Depending on the result of this biopsy, sensible decisions regarding any further treatment can be made.

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE OPERATION?

Reception

When registering at reception your medical aid details will be required. If you are not on a member of a medical aid you will be required to pay a deposit or to sign an indemnity form. As far as possible we will try to advise you about hospital costs before your admission.

Welcome to the ward

You will be welcomed to the ward by the nurses or the receptionist and will have your details checked. Some basic tests will be done such as pulse, temperature, blood pressure and urine examination. You will be asked to hand in any medicines or drugs you may be taking, so that your drug treatment in hospital will be correct. Please tell the nurses of any allergies to drugs or dressings. The surgeon will have explained the operation and you will be asked to sign your consent for the operation. If you are not clear about any part of the operation, then read this again and then ask for more details from the surgeon or from the nurses.

Visit by the anaesthetist

If you are having a general anaesthetic, the anaesthetist who will be giving your anaesthetic will interview and examine you. He will be especially interested in chest troubles, dental treatment and any previous anaesthetics you have had.

Diet

You will have your usual diet until 6 hours before the operation when you will be asked to take nothing by mouth. This will let your stomach empty to prevent vomiting during the operation.

Shaving

The operation area will be shaved to remove excess hair.

Timing of the operation

The timing of your operation is usually arranged the day before so that the nurses will tell you when to expect to go to the operating theatre. Do not be surprised, however, if there are changes to the exact timing.

Transfer to theatre

You will be taken on a trolley to the operating suite by the staff. You will be wearing a cotton gown, wedding rings will be fastened with tape and removable dentures will be left on the ward. There will be several checks on your details on the way to the operating theatre where your anaesthetic will begin.

The operation is then performed

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE OPERATION?

Coming round after the anaesthetic

Although you will be conscious a minute or two after the operation ends, you are unlikely to remember anything until you are back in your bed on the ward. Some patients feel a bit sick for up to 24 hours after operation, but this passes off. You will be given some treatment for sickness if necessary.

Will it hurt?

There is some discomfort on moving rather than severe pain. You will be given injections or tablets to control this as required. Ask for more if the pain is still unpleasant.

The day after the operation the wound may feel a bit stiff and sore but this passes off in a few days. By the end of one week the wound should be virtually painfree.

Drinking and eating

You will be able to drink within an hour or two of the operation provided you are not feeling sick.

The next day you should be able to eat normally.

Opening bowels

There should be no particular effect from the operation. Some pain tablets can cause constipation.

The wound

The wound has a dressing which may show some staining with blood in the first 24 hours. The wound is held together by fine stitches or a single stitch under the skin. Sometimes absorbing stitches are used otherwise they are usually removed after 6-9 days. The dressing, which is usually waterproof to allow showering, will be kept on until the stitches are removed.

Sometimes a plastic drain is used to let out excessive secretions from the wound. It is pain free and is removed after a day or two.

There may be some purple bruising around the wound which spreads downward by gravity and fades to a yellow colour after 2 to 3 days. It is not important.

There may be some swelling of the surrounding skin which also improves in 2 to 3 days.

After 7 to 10 days, slight crusts on the wound will fall off.

Occasionally minor matchhead sized blebs form on the wound line but these settle down after discharging a blob of yellow fluid for a day or so.

Washing

You can wash the wound area as soon as the dressing has been removed or sooner if a waterproof dressing has been used. Soap and tap water are entirely adequate. Salted water is not necessary.

How long in hospital?

Usually you will feel fit enough to leave hospital on the day of the operation.

You will be given an appointment for a check up about a 7 to 10 days after your operation.

Sick notes

Please ask your surgeon for any sick notes or certificates that you may require.

After you leave hospital

You are likely to feel a bit tired for a day or two.

Driving

You can drive as soon as you can drive safely. You will be able to wear a seat belt.

Work

You should be able to return to work within a day or two.

Complications

Complications are rare and seldom serious.

If you think that all is not well please ask the nurses or doctors.

Infection is a rare problem and will be treated appropriately by the surgeon. Aches and twinges may be felt in the wound for a week or two.

There is usually a thickening under the scar for two to three months before it softens.

GENERAL ADVICE

The operation is usually easily tolerated.

If you have any problems or queries, please ask the nurses or doctors.