Mastectomy

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Español

You may have bruising and swelling after a mastectomy. You may also have difficulty moving your arm closest to your mastectomy. This should get better in a few days.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:

• You feel lightheaded, short of breath, and have chest pain.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You cough up blood.

Seek care immediately if:

• Blood soaks through your bandage.
• Your stitches come apart.
• Your bruise suddenly gets bigger.
• Your leg or arm is larger than usual and painful.

Call your doctor or surgeon if:

• You have a fever or chills.
• Your wound is red, swollen, or draining pus.
• You have nausea or are vomiting.
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or you have a rash.
• Your pain does not get better after you take pain medicine.
• Your drain falls out or stops draining fluid.
• Your drain has pus or foul-smelling fluid coming out of it.
• You have numbness, tingling, or swelling in your arm or hand.
• You feel very sad or anxious, or are having trouble coping with changes from the mastectomy.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• Antibiotics help prevent a bacterial infection.
• Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
• NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Care for your wound as directed:

If you have a tight-fitting bandage, you can remove it in 24 to 48 hours, or as directed. Ask your healthcare provider when your incision can get wet. You may need to take a sponge bath until your drain is removed. Carefully wash around the incision with soap and water. It is okay to allow the soap and water to gently run over your incision. Gently pat dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandages when they get wet or dirty. If lymph nodes were removed from your armpit, ask your healthcare provider when you can wear deodorant. Check your incision every day for redness, pus, or swelling.

Self-care:

• Apply ice on your incision for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain.
• Elevate your arm nearest to your incision above the level of your heart. Do this as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your arm on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated comfortably.
• Rest as directed. Do not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds. Do not push or pull with your arms. You can use your arms to groom, eat, and bathe. Take short walks around the house. Gradually walk further as you feel better. Ask your healthcare provider when you can return to your normal activities.
• Do not sleep on your stomach. This will put too much pressure on your incision. Sleep on your back or on the opposite side of your incision.
• Empty your drain as directed. You may need to write down how much fluid you empty from your drain each day. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about how to empty your drain.
• Wear a supportive bra as directed. Wait until you remove the tight-fitting bandage to wear a bra. You may be given a surgical bra or told to wear a sports bra. A supportive bra may help hold your bandages in place. It may also help with swelling and pain. Do not wear bras with lace or underwire. They may rub against your incision and cause discomfort.

Arm stretches:

Your healthcare provider may show you how to do arm stretches. Arm stretches may prevent stiff arms or shoulders. You may need to wait until after your drains are removed to begin stretching. Do not do arm stretches until your healthcare provider says it is okay. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about arm stretches.

Follow up with your doctor or surgeon as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

For support and more information:

You may have difficulty coping with the changes to your body. Talk to your family or friends about how you are feeling. Ask your healthcare provider about support groups. It may be helpful to talk with other women who have had a mastectomy.

• American Cancer Society
  250 Williams Street
  Atlanta , GA 30303
  Phone: 1- 800 - 227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  6116 Executive Boulevard, Suite 300
  Bethesda , MD 20892-8322
  Phone: 1- 800 - 422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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