Aftercare of the surgery

Immediately after the surgery, the patient is transferred to the recovery room, where the after-effects of the anesthesia and surgery can be well observed. Normally, the patient is transferred back to the ward only a few hours later. In the first period after the operation it is also important to observe the secretion of the wound in order to rule out the possibility of major bleeding in the area of the operation.

In general, it is recommended that both surgical methods be spared for 2-4 weeks. In addition, the patient should not go to the swimming pool or sauna, should not do sports that put a lot of strain on the affected side and should not lift anything heavy with both arms to ensure optimal wound healing. If a breast-conserving surgery has been performed, the remaining breast and possibly also the armpit on the side is always irradiated after a certain time interval.

This is to prevent a second tumor from forming locally. The complete removal of the breast, on the other hand, is only irradiated in special cases. Due to the asymmetry of the upper body, however, changes in posture with muscle tension can occur, which may make physiotherapy necessary.

In order to prevent lymphedema, which can result from the removal of the lymph nodes, the arm is elevated after the operation and, if necessary, a lymph drainage is performed by the physiotherapist. It is advised not to wear too tight clothing on the arm, avoid heat effects and not to lift anything heavy with the arm. Once the surgical therapy is completed, the patient is discussed and further therapy options, such as chemotherapy, are carried out.

Duration of hospital stay

How long you have to stay in hospital after the operation cannot be said in general. Factors that influence the duration are general condition, possible complications that may occur in the course of the operation, the course of wound healing and also the method of surgery. If you decide to undergo a BET, your stay in hospital is on average shorter than if you have the entire breast removed. This means that the length of hospital stay is very individual and can range from just a few days to a few weeks.