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In Treatment For Breast Cancer: Managing Your Medical Care

While Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery

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Learn how to stay safe and be comfortable in the hospital. For example:

  • Even in world class hospitals, it is helpful to have a family member or friend stay with you as much as possible to act as a patient advocate. 
  • It is also your (and your patient advocate's) responsibility to make sure doctors, nurses and other personnel take precautions before touching you so they don't unnecessarily spread germs. Don't be afraid to speak up if you see someone not taking appropriate precautions. For example a doctor or nurse doesn't clean his or her hands before touching you.
  • See: How To Maximize Your Stay In A Hospital

Plan ahead for your needs when you are discharged from the hospital. For example:

  • Wear clothes that are loose fitting and easy against what could be raw skin. For instance, a large button-front men's shirt or a house dress with snaps in the front, top to bottom.
  • Purchase a product to apply every day to keep your incision from puckering. For instance, aloe vera gel (available at health food stores).
  • if you will need home care, start putting away valuable items, credit cards and cash so they aren't a temptation to home care workers.
  • If you will need a hospital bed or other equipment, the social worker at the hospital can help you figure out how to get it. Start thinking about where you would put uit.
  • If you have access to the internet, this could be a good time to start shopping for items you may need post surgery. For example, bras or mastectomy swim wear. If so, check the American Cancer Site, www.tlcdirect.org offsite link, and www.mastectomy.com. offsite link  (How to purchase bras is discussed in our Post Treatment article.)

You can have some control over the discharge date.

  • The length of your stay in the hospital depends on your doctor and insurance company. They determine when your condition is medically stable so that you can be discharged. If they want you to leave the hospital earlier than you think reasonable, you don't have to go quietly. Appeal. On the other hand, press firmly if you want to leave earlier than your doctor thinks advisable. (Do not leave without medical consent. If you do, you may be stuck with the bill for your entire stay without insurance).
  • If the hospital asks you to pay the bill before leaving:
    • If you don't have insurance: You can negotiate the bill.
    • If you do have insurance: Check with your insurance company before paying.
  • See: Discharge From The Hospital

Upon discharge from the hospital:

  • When you are discharged from the hospital:
    • Get a discharge plan that tells you, among other things what you should and should not be doing during recovery. A follow-up plan also includes a date for a follow up visit with your surgeon and perhaps other doctors. The sooner the follow-up date, the sooner you can ask follow-up questions and have the security of being examined by the doctor. To learn more, click here.
    • Check your bill, even if you have insurance. A large percentage of hospital bills have errors which are usually in the hospital's favor. See: The Hospital Bill Review
  • Assume any belongings you bring home from a hospital are contaminated and should be washed before being used again.'
  • If you will need home health care, click here.
  • If there are health problems after you get home, the best way to ensure that you are covered by insurance is to return to the same hospital.  For example, postoperative care is part of surgery and follow-up will likely be part of it.  Surgery may begin when you enter the operating room but it does not end when you leave.

NOTE: If you had a mastectomy which was covered by health insurance, federal law requires that the policy also cover reconstruction, including prostheses. For more information, click here.

For more information about medical care:  After treatment, see: Breast Cancer:  Post Treatment 0 - 6 Months: Medical Care


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