Breast Surgery - Removing a Lump

Cancer is often the central focus of breast surgery when it comes to removing a lump. This can be tough to hear and tough to handle if you had no idea that this was a possibility. However, the purpose of a lumpectomy is often to biopsy the mass to get a better idea of what it is and what course of action a patient needs to take. Read on to learn more about what it takes to remove lumps from breasts. Preparation Women are encouraged to do a self exam regularly to see if they notice any unusual masses or lumps. If they do discover something that feels out of the ordinary, they are encouraged to contact their doctor right away. The doctor may choose to schedule a mammogram to get a better look at the issue. Most women schedule mammograms regularly in order to check for any type of problems or issues that need to be addressed. At this point, the doctor may want to go ahead with breast surgery. It is usually an outpatient procedure that is done in a special clinic or inside of the hospital. An overnight stay is rarely required. While preparing for the operation, it is important to contact your insurance company to check for coverage and to get an idea of what portion of the bill you will be responsible for. Lumpectomy Patients and doctors can choose between general anesthesia (complete sedation, but zero pain) or local anesthesia (awake and aware, but still pain-free). For most patients, the procedure takes about an hour. The surgeon will make an incision near the lump and remove it in its entirety, if possible, as well as some of the surrounding tissue. The mass and surrounding tissue are sent out for further testing to see if it was cancerous and whether or not the entire lump was removed. If all goes well, this could be the only breast surgery that you will need to experience. Once the lump is removed, the doctor uses stitches to sew the area up and close the wound. This area needs to be kept clean and dry until it is healed. Stitches often dissolve and do not require a follow-up appointment. Recovery If you undergo general anesthesia, recovery may take a little longer. You will not be able to drive yourself home from the procedure, and you may want to rest for a while until the full effects of the anesthesia have worn off. Even if you only use local anesthesia, you still may want to go home and just relax for a while. Sometimes, the stress of the situation can be just as difficult as going through the breast surgery. Depending on the incision, the wound may need a fluid drain. You can return to most of your normal routine; however, you should avoid running, heavy lifting, and other strenuous activities for a week or two until the area has had a chance to heal.