Lumpectomy

A week or more before the procedure, you will have an exam and routine tests. Before the lumpectomy surgery:

• Sign any consent forms.
• Tell your physician about any medications, herbs or supplements you are currently taking.
• Avoid eating or drinking for eight to 12 hours before your surgery.
• Arrange for to have someone drive you home after surgery.
• Bring a soft shirt that buttons in front to wear home.
• Talk to the anesthesia care provider; he or she will explain how you will be kept pain-free during surgery.

Your surgeon will make an incision near the tumor that will be removed during the lumpectomy surgery, as well as the surrounding margin of normal tissue.

A second incision may also be made under the arm to remove some of the nearby axillary lymph nodes; these are checked to see if the cancer cells have spread to them.

When the lumpectomy surgery is finished, the incisions will be closed using stitches, and a gauze dressing will cover the incisions.

You will wake up in the recovery room, and you may have an IV line for fluids and medicines; pain medications will be given to you as needed. A nurse will check your temperature, pulse and blood pressure, and you’ll likely go home the same day after the lumpectomy.

You will be given instructions on how to care for the incision(s), what kind of pain medications you should use and how to take care of yourself as you recover. Make sure you understand all the instructions and know when you need to see your physician next.