What happens after breast surgery?

What happens after surgery depends on the type of operation you have had. Many people now have breast surgery as a day case or go home the following day. If you have breast reconstruction at the same time you are more likely to be in hospital for 2 to 7 days.

When you wake up

After your operation you go to the recovery room before moving back to your ward. Here you gradually wake up from having a ​general anaesthetic​ . You are closely monitored by the theatre nurses until you are awake enough to leave the recovery room.

You may be wearing a mask or have small tubes into your nose (nasal cannula) to give you oxygen. You might feel dizzy and sluggish to begin with.

You have a blood pressure cuff on your arm and a little clip on your finger to measure your pulse and oxygen level.

Once you are more awake you go back to the ward. The nurses will continue to measure your blood pressure and check your dressings regularly.

Exercises after surgery

Your nurse or physiotherapist will help you to begin your arm and shoulder exercises. You will also have other exercises if you have a breast reconstruction. The exercises depend on the type of reconstruction you have. It is important to continue with these when you go home.

These exercises stop you from getting stiff, particularly in your shoulder. Your nurse will let you know how long to continue them.

It helps to have painkillers before you start trying to do them.

Find out about exercises after mastectomy or breast conserving surgery

• Find out about exercises after breast reconstruction

Wearing a bra and artificial breast shape

After breast cancer surgery, you can wear a comfortable non underwired bra. You can wear this at night to help support your breast.

If you’ve had a mastectomy without reconstruction, your nurse will give you a lightweight, artificial breast shape (prosthesis) that you can wear inside your bra. It's very soft and will not put pressure on the wound.

Read about breast prostheses

Making progress

During the first few days after your operation you will start to feel better and less sore. You might find things slightly easier once your wound drain is out.

Follow up appointments

You have follow up appointments to check your recovery and sort out any problems. They are also your opportunity to raise any concerns you have about your progress.

You usually see your surgeon one to two weeks after your operation. They examine you and check your wound is healing well.

Your surgeon will explain the results of your surgery and talk about any further treatment you might need.

You'll have contact details of your breast care nurse or the ward if you need to contact someone before your follow up.

Find out about follow up appointments