Discharge Instructions for Lumpectomy or Breast Biopsy
You just had a procedure to remove a lump or a sample of tissue from your breast. After surgery, be sure to have an adult drive you home and to follow the guidelines on this sheet. Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
What to Expect
The following are common after a lumpectomy or breast biopsy:
Bruising and mild swelling around the incision
Mild discomfort for a few days.
Feeling tired for a day or so.
Feeling anxious or down.
Diet
Start with liquids and light, easy-to-digest foods such as bananas and dry toast. As you feel up to it, slowly return to your normal diet.
Drink at least 6–8 glasses of water or other nonalcoholic fluids a day, unless directed otherwise.
Activity
After the procedure, take it easy for the rest of the day.
If you had general anesthesia, don't use machinery or power tools, drink alcohol, or make any major decisions for at least the first 24 hours.
Return to normal activities (including driving) in 24 hours.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:
Vomiting or nausea that does not go away
Fever over 100.1°F or chills
Foul-smelling discharge from the incision
Pain not relieved by pain medications
Bleeding, warmth, redness, or hard swelling around the incision
Chest pain or shortness of breath
Bandage and Incision Care
Take pain medications as directed. Don’t wait until the pain gets bad before taking them. Don’t drink alcohol while on pain medications.
Wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in a thin cloth. Place this over the bandaged incision for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Do this as needed.
Wear a comfortable bra at all times, even to bed, to help keep swelling down.
If strips of tape have been used to close your incision, do not pull them off. Let them fall off on their own.
If you have a gauze bandage, keep it and the wound dry for 48 hours.If the gauze bandage gets wet, replace it with a clean, dry bandage.