What You Should Know Before A Mastectomy
Some cases of breast cancer will lead to a mastectomy. It’s not the first choice, but sometimes it’s the only solution that can save one’s life.
In order to understand this procedure a little better, it is important to learn what a surgical removal of part or all of the breast involves.
It is easy to write it down or read it, but going through this whole process is extremely difficult.
This is why it is important to change the way you think about breast cancer treatment. You have to understand that having a mastectomy is a big change in your life.
Recently, even some women who have just been diagnosed with breast cancer have chosen to have this surgery as a preventative.
While not a terrible choice, it is a very personal decision. It may not even be necessary if you do not have breast cancer in the family or genes that increase your risk.
These are the things one should know before getting a mastectomy done.
1. It is physically different for all women
Some people may experience more pain than others. Depending on your body , you may find that your recovery time takes longer than normal. It’s 12 weeks.
Ultimately, it is one’s body that determines when one will be able to return to one’s normal routine. Whatever it is sooner or later than one had hoped.
This is something you can prepare for: You may have someone to help you after a mastectomy. It is important that you make sure you have someone by your side.
The first two weeks after surgery will be very cumbersome. It will affect one’s mobility even in connection with the little things like opening a bottle of water or brushing one’s hair.
It is at this point that one will begin to worry about the pain that one’s mastectomy has caused. One should know that some women do not experience terrible pain. In fact, some do not notice anything at all after the operation.
Others have a depressing feeling or something.
2. A mastectomy can cause complications
A mastectomy is an operation like any other. So it is important that one mentally prepares oneself for any complication that may be associated with one’s body and one’s health.
Some women do not feel that the operation is anything special. Others, on the other hand, will be very strongly affected by it.
One effect is that one’s breathing may become shallow due to the pain. In addition to this, one may develop a pneumonia due to lack of filtration in the lungs. You will have to take care of yourself in the days after the operation. This is because this is the time when you are most at risk for infections.
Another consequence is constipation. This usually occurs because one does not understand the effects of the anesthesia and anesthesia that one will get for the pain.
These types of painkillers can make you spend a night in the emergency room because you have not had a bowel movement for five days.
It is important that you talk to your doctor for advice on what to do to avoid this. A diet rich in fiber can be very helpful.
3. A breast reconstruction is an option
The topic of breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a sensitive topic that is unique to each woman’s needs.
Some women choose not to have a breast reconstruction for personal reasons. Others, on the other hand, believe that they need it in order to find peace in their new body.
Although it is associated with one’s appearance to have a reconstruction of the breast done, some women suffer during the process of a reconstruction. Other people who have had very large breasts may feel relieved of back pain and therefore choose not to have them rebuilt.
No matter what, you will need to analyze your personal needs before deciding whether or not to go through a reconstruction.
Talk about your worries and do not be afraid of your mastectomy
Getting a mastectomy is a very important step that one takes in life, so one should neither fear it nor suppress it.
You should talk to your doctor. And if one agrees that it is necessary, then one should be sure that one fully understands all that this course entails.
