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Preparation For Breast Surgery

Other Preparation For Breast Surgery

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If you can, schedule your surgery for best days and times if possible 

  • Schedule your surgery for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning. If you are operated on during the middle of the week, you will benefit from full hospital staffing for post-operative care. 
  • It is less likely that your surgery will be delayed if you are scheduled for the first surgery of the day. The surgeon will also be fresh.
  • Avoid June and July when doctors are fresh out of school join a hospital. 

Ask that the site be marked.

Ask the surgeon to initial or otherwise mark your surgery site. A mark will help prevent the surgeon from operating on the wrong breast. The mark is not permanent. 

Don't be embarrassed to ask. The American College of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends this safety measure be followed. Recently, large medical centers have instituted this practice automatically. 

Remind the surgeon of the mark before the surgery.

Tell about your thoughts concerning pain

Work with your surgeon on a plan to control any pain that occurs after surgery ("post-surgical pain".) Studies indicate that adequate control of pain can speed recovery and the healing process. It also helps to minimize post-surgical depression.

Ask about the room you will you be returned to after surgery

See if you can get a room with plenty of sunlight. Studies have shown that sunlight speeds recovery after surgery and can help with alleviating pain.

Ask about new medical equipment

Prior to surgery, ask your doctor if any new medical equipment will be used during your surgery. If the answer is yes, ask how new the equipment is and how many times the doctor has used it. The use of new equipment with minimal training or experience on the part of the surgical team has recently resulted in a number of medical errors.

Ask about the post-surgical nursing staff

Check with the hospital to find out whether the nursing staff in the post-operative section are experienced and fully staffed. Several studies indicate that the staffing level of nurses was found to directly influence the incidence of adverse events following major surgery.


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