In our Istanbul Florence Nightingale Breast Health Center, which has been serving for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer for nearly 30 years, only the tumor in the breast is removed and the breast is protected in 82% of our patients who are operated on with the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Returning to Daily Life After Breast Surgery
In order to understand whether the disease has spread to the lymph nodes under the armpit, a guard lymph node biopsy is performed with blue dye and radioactive material during the operation, and the evaluation of the breast pathology specialist during the operation is performed. According to this, if the tumor does not spread to the armpit, it is not necessary to remove all lymph nodes under the armpit. In this way, lymphedema, which may develop due to removal of the underarm lymph nodes, is avoided in patients. After the operation, no stitches are placed on the wounds under the breast and armpit, only a thin strip is adhered. These tapes are waterproof and do not prevent bathing. The bands are removed 1-2 weeks after the surgery and creams are applied to reduce the scar. If the tumors in the breast are found in large numbers and scattered in the breast, in some patients, the entire breast must be removed. In these patients, drains are placed under the skin and armpit to drain the blood and serum that will accumulate there. These drains should be emptied every 24 hours and the fluid accumulating there should be measured. When the amount of fluid here drops to 25-30 ml in 24 hours, the drains will be removed by your surgeon. development risk. Because the lymph channels in the hand, forearm and arm reach the lymph nodes in the armpit. Removal of lymph nodes here carries a risk of edema in the arm. If only a guard lymph node biopsy is performed under the armpit, the risk of lymphedema is 5-6%. However, this rate increases if all lymph nodes are removed. Therefore, after the surgery, patients should take care of the arm on the operated side, not over-tire, and prevent injuries. It is necessary to avoid injuries (burns, cuts, crushes, etc.). Otherwise, the risk of developing lymphedema in that arm increases.
To avoid lymphedema ;
• Care and cleaning of nails, hand and arm on the side of breast surgery is very important. Hands should be washed frequently, thoroughly dried, and should not be left damp. • Manicure should not be performed on the hand on the operated side, and infection due to injury should be avoided while cutting nails. Underarm hair should be removed with an electric machine. • Attention should be paid to skin care and flexibility, and moisturizers with very low oil content such as non-oily creams, body milk, body lotion should be used to moisturize the skin. • In order to avoid sweating and to prevent fungal growth on the skin on hot days, warm showers should be taken frequently, sweat-repellent cotton fabric handkerchiefs should be placed under both breasts and changed when wet. • Avoid being under the sun for a long time in summer and very hot environments. • Stay away from the heat of a burning stove or fireplace. • Sun rays can increase lymphedema. Do not go into the sea during the hours when the sun is steep (between 11 and 15). Avoid sunburn. Protect the surgery and radiotherapy area while sunbathing. Use protective creams with a high protection factor. Do not expose your arm to the sun for a long time. Wear long-sleeved, light-colored and loose-fitting clothes while walking around in sunny weather.• Use protective gloves while ironing, washing dishes or laundry, cooking, and protect yourself from burns and cuts.• You do not need to follow a special diet. Have a balanced and adequate diet. Definitely do not gain weight, try to lose your excess weight with exercise and diet. • Maintain your ideal weight with a diet low in salt and rich in fiber foods. Avoid unnecessary weight gain. Obesity has a negative effect on edema and increases the risk of recurrence of your disease. • Take care to take foods containing easily digestible proteins (fish and chicken). (Providing attention to protein intake.) • Avoid alcohol and cigarettes. • Swimming, yoga, aerobic and rhythmic walks in water are beneficial after breast surgery. • Travel by plane or bus after the surgery. Always consult your doctor while traveling. If necessary, bandage your arm or use your arm cuff. • Go to your doctor immediately after burns and injuries that may occur on the operated side.
Benefits of the exercises recommended to be done after the surgery:
• Prevents or removes calcification in the shoulder and arm joints, • Restores preoperative mobility to the arm,• Hand, front - Strengthens the arm and arm muscles, • Helps to relieve back, waist, neck, head and shoulder pains due to surgery and radiotherapy, • Prevents crooked posture/posture disorder, • Prevents swelling (lymphedema) of your hands, forearms and arms, • This helps the extremity return to normal and speed up recovery. (Exercises are started with limited movements within the first 24 hours after the surgery, before the drains -hoses given out from the wound- come out.)
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