Who do I contact for more information?

If you have questions about your surgery, or recovery: Call the Surgical Nurse Coordinator at 416 946 4501 extension 4302

If you are not able to reach the Surgical Nurse Coordinator: Call the Breast Clinic Triage Nurse at 416 946 2228 (Breast Clinic Hotline).

Call your surgeon to book appointments or confirm your date of surgery at:

• Dr. Tulin Cil
  Phone: 416 946 4501 extension 3984
• Dr. Andrea Covelli
  Phone: 416 586 4800 extension 5163
• Dr. Alexandra Easson
  Phone: 416 946 4501 extension 2328
• Dr. Jaime Escallon
  Phone: 416 586 4800 extension 5163
• Dr.Wey-Liang Leong
  Phone: 416 946 4501 extension 2992
• Dr. David McCready
  Phone: 416 946 4501 extension 6510
• Dr. Michael Reedijk
  Phone: 416 946 4501 extension 4432

What is a lumpectomy?

A “lumpectomy” is surgery to remove a lump in the breast, and some breast tissue around it. The amount of breast tissue removed depends on the size of the lump.

Sometimes, a lumpectomy is also called a:

• wide excision
• wedge excision
• excisional biopsy
• partial mastectomy

There are many reasons why your doctor may suggest you have a lumpectomy. This can be for cancer, as well as other reasons.

Some of these breast conditions that may require a lumpectomy can include:

• DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ)
• LCIS (lobular carcinoma in situ)
• Atypia
• Fibroadenoma
• Phyllodes tumor
• Papilloma
• Sclerosing adenosis
• Radial scars

This image shows a lump or area being removed.

Some doctors may call DCIS or LCIS “pre cancer” on “in situ cancer”. Talk to your doctor if you have additional questions.

What happens during a lumpectomy?

There are 5 main steps in having a lumpectomy:

1. You may need Molli marker put into your breast to help guide your surgeon to the area being removed. This process is called “seed localization” and is usually used for small lesions. Your surgeon will talk to you about this if needed. The seed localization step happens while you are awake, and is likely done on another day before the surgery. You should not have pain with this procedure as you will have local freezing to numb the breast before the marker is placed into the breast.
2. Your doctors will give you general anesthetic (medication to help you relax, and sleep through the surgery).
3. When the lump is found, an incision (cut made during surgery) is made and the lump and some tissue around it are removed. The surgery can take about 1 hour.
   The breast tissue removed during surgery is sent to a Pathologist (a doctor who tests body tissue to see if disease is there).
4. After the lump is removed, the incision is closed with stitches that will dissolve (go away) on their own. A skin tape, called “Steri-Strips”, will be put over the incision. A gauze bandage will be used to cover the whole area.
5. You will feel sleepy and need to rest after surgery. You will rest in a recovery room for about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours after your surgery, and stay in hospital until it is safe for you to go home.

The day of your surgery can be long. Arrive on time and prepare to spend the whole day at the hospital.

Your health care team will set up a follow-up appointment for 2 to 3 weeks after your surgery. You will get the results of your pathology test at this appointment.

What are the risks of a lumpectomy?

Like any surgery there are risks linked to having a non-cancer lumpectomy, such as:

• bleeding
• infection
• pain

You will be given medication to help you feel comfortable and manage any pain. (See page 10 for more details on how to manage pain).

You may also feel:

• A change or no feeling in the breast that had surgery. Feeling in your breast often returns over time.
• Changes to your body image or comfort with your sexuality. This may be because there will be changes to how your breast will look after surgery.

If you would like to talk to someone about any changes to your body image, call the hospital social worker by calling 416 946 4501 extension 4524 or ask your doctor to refer you.

How to prepare for surgery

Do this a few weeks before your surgery:

• Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. You may bring a family member or friend for company and support, before and after your surgery.
• Buy a sports bra or bra without underwire if you do not have one. Wear it or bring it with you the day of your surgery. Wearing a sports bra, or bra without underwire, will help to support your breast after surgery.

Do this 5 days before your surgery:

• Stop taking aspirin or any blood thinners. These medications can increase your risk of bleeding during surgery.

  If you take blood thinners (like Warfarin, also called Coumadin), talk to the doctor who prescribed (gave you) the blood thinners and your surgeon before you stop taking them, and to know when to start taking them again.

  You can start taking aspirin again 5 days after your surgery.

• Stop taking any herbal medication or remedies. This includes vitamin E, garlic pills, and fish oil pills. These may affect your surgery and treatment. It is okay to eat garlic and fish.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. You can start taking herbal medication or remedies again 5 days after surgery.

Do this 2 days before your surgery:

• Stop taking anti-inflammatories (like Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin). You can start taking these medications again 2 days after your surgery. It is okay to take Tylenol.

Do this the day before your surgery:

• Drink plenty of fluids the day before surgery. This includes juice, soup, water, and fluids in your food. This will help you feel less thirsty the morning of your surgery.

Do this the night before your surgery:

• Do not eat salty foods. This will help you feel less thirsty on the morning of your surgery.
• Do not eat any solid food after midnight. This includes candy or chewing gum.
• You can drink clear fluids up to 5 hours before your surgery. Clear fluids include: water, apple juice, ginger ale, tea and black coffee.
• Do not have milk or cream in any of your drinks.

Do this the morning of your surgery:

• Do not swallow anything 5 hours before surgery. This includes both food and drinks. For example, if your surgery is scheduled for 2:00 pm, you cannot have food or drinks after 9:00 am.
  You must have an empty stomach before surgery.
• Do not use deodorant, perfumes or lotions on the side of your torso (stomach, chest, breast, under-arm area, and back) getting surgery. This will help you prevent infection and stay safe during surgery. It is okay to use shampoo, face cream and lotions on other parts of your body.
• If you usually take blood pressure pills or heart pills, take them with a sip of water. Do not take any other medications without talking to your doctor. Do not take any diuretics or water pills if you are unsure talk to your surgeon or the surgical coordinator.
• Leave your valuables at home. Leave your jewelry or watch at home.
• Arrive at the hospital and check-in on time.

What should I wear to the hospital the day of my surgery?

• Comfortable clothing
• A sports bra or bra without underwire

What should I bring to the hospital the day of my surgery?

• Your health card (OHIP)
• Any medication you usually take. You may need to take them while in hospital.
• Slippers or shoes. You need comfortable footwear to walk around the hospital in.
• Something loose and comfortable to wear home, and something warm to wear in the hospital.
• A book or other entertainment. You may be waiting for a long time.

What to expect after surgery

Right after a lumpectomy, you will:

• Wake up in the recovery room. You will feel sleepy and need to rest.
• You will stay in the recovery room for about one hour after surgery. After one hour in the recovery room, you will be moved to another room until you feel ready to leave the hospital.
• There is a waiting area nearby where your guest(s) can wait. A member of your health care team will let your guest(s) know when it is okay for them to see you, and when they can take you home.
• Have an intravenous (IV) in your arm. You will be getting fluids and medication through the IV.
  
  This image shows you where the IV is often inserted (put in).
• Have a sore throat. This is from a tube that was placed in your throat to help you breath during the surgery.

For a while after surgery you may:

• Feel nauseous (feeling of having to throw-up), or vomit (throw-up)
• Feel some pain or discomfort. Stay active and move around after the surgery to prevent complications (problems that can arise after surgery). Take your pain medication if it is uncomfortable to move around.
• Feel tired.
• Have some bruising and tenderness where the incision (cut made during surgery) is. You may notice this a few days after your surgery. This can last for about one month.
• Hear a “gurgling” or “splashing” sound over the area where you had the surgery. This is caused by body fluid filling the space where the tissue was removed during surgery. This sound will go away by itself with time.

When can I go home?

You will go home the same day as the surgery

How will my pain be managed?

Your doctor will give you some pain medication. Most people will get Tylenol 3 (acetaminophen and codeine) or Percocet (acetaminophen and oxycodone).

Take your pain medication as needed.

• If you still feel pain after taking the medication, tell your doctor or nurse. They can help you manage the pain.
• For mild pain, take Tylenol (acetaminophen, 325 mg) or Tylenol Extra Strength (acetaminophen, 500 mg). Take it every 4 to 6 hours, as needed.
• As your incision starts to heal, you may feel sharp jabbing pains or a tingling feeling in that area.
• Pain medication can often cause constipation (not being able to poop). Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if this happens. You can take a stool softener or laxative that makes it easier for you to have a bowel movement (poop).

How can I stay safe and heal after surgery?

Follow the instructions below until your incision has healed.

Do this while you are healing from a lumpectomy:

1. Wear a comfortable bra without underwire after surgery.
   This will help support you and make sure the weight of your breast does not pull on your incision. To stay safe and comfortable, you may also want to wear the bra while you sleep for a week or 2.
   You can wear a normal bra after your follow up if the nurse or surgeon says you have healed.
2. Steri-Strips (paper tapes) leave them on for 14 days.
   They may fall off before 14 days. It is okay if this happens. After 14 days you can remove Steri-Strips by pulling them towards the incision.
   Once the Steri-Strips fall off, you can put polysporin on the incision if you wish. Do not put other lotions on until after your follow-up appointment, and your doctor says it is okay to do so.

Do NOT do this while you are healing from a lumpectomy:

1. Do not apply any of these close to the incision, and where you had surgery:
   • Perfumed (with scent) and non-perfumed lotions
   • Talcum powder
2. Do not drive or operate machinery if:
   • The effects of the general anesthetic (medication to help you relax and sleep) have not worn off yet. The effects of general anesthetic may continue to cause drowsiness and dizziness even after you leave the hospital.
   • Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after your surgery. Alcohol may mix badly with your medication, which could make you more drowsy or dizzy.
   • You are taking narcotic pain medication. These medications include Tylenol 3 (Tylenol with Codeine also called acetaminophen and codeine) or Percocet (acetaminophen and oxycodone). These medications may make you drowsy or dizzy. If you drive while feeling this way, you may have an accident.
   • You cannot fully move your arm(s) on the side where you had the surgery. This is in case you need to make any quick motions or need to respond quickly in case of an emergency situation.

What happens at my follow-up appointment?

You will have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon. It will be about 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.

Your surgeon’s administrative assistant will give you an appointment time.

At this appointment your surgeon will:

1. Check to make sure your incision is healing well
2. Check to see how well your arm is moving
3. Talk to you about the test results from your surgery

After this appointment, your surgeon may refer you to other health care providers. They will talk to you about any other treatments you may need.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a shower after my surgery?

For the first 2 days after surgery, have a sponge bath. Keep the area where you had the surgery dry.

The outer bandage can be removed 48 hours after your surgery. You can then take a shower. You can shower with your drain.

Do I need to change what I eat after surgery?

No. You can eat normally. If you are taking pain medication, try to have more fibre and water in your diet as they can make it hard to poo.

What if I see signs of infection?

See page 3 to learn signs of infection and what to do if you see any signs of infection.

What if I notice swelling?

A little bit of soft swelling for up to one to 2 months after surgery is normal.

Call your surgeon if swelling becomes hard or firm. They may want to assess you (give you a check-up) in clinic.

What if I am bleeding from the incision?

It is normal to have a small amount of dried at the incision (cut made during surgery) site. This could be either:

• under the Steri-Strips
• on the bandage covering the incision

Call your surgeon if you notice a large amount of fluid or blood coming from the incision site non-stop. A large amount of fluid or blood would be about half a cup to one cup every hour.

What if I notice numbness where I had surgery?

The area where you had surgery may be numb.

As you heal, you will slowly gain more feeling again. During this time, it is normal to feel sharp, “jabbing” pains in the area. You may also feel a tingling feeling.

Tapping the numb area or massaging the area may help.