Before the operation
If you are having a sentinel node biopsy, you will normally be taken down for tests several hours before the operation. You will have a local anaesthetic and dye will be injected into the area of the tumour, guided by ultrasound. You will wait for a short while to allow the dye to "take".
You will then be submitted to a scan (MRI) which will confirm:
- Whether the dye has reached the "sentinel node"
- Where the sentinel node is located
Shortly before the operation you will be wheeled to theatre. There you will have an injection to relax you and a general anaesthetic. The anaesthetist will normally come to see you before this. The anaesthetic will make sure you stay asleep during the operation and do not feel any pain.
Surgery
For breast conserving treatment, the cancer and a small amount of breast tissue around it will be taken out. Usually some lymph nodes will be taken out. This will help establish whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
If you have a sentinel node biopsy, you may only have the sentinel node taken out. In some cases, you surgeon may not suggest removing any lymph nodes.
In a mastectomy, the whole breast is removed. The chest muscles are not removed. Some lymph nodes will be removed.
After the operation
You will normally wake up in the recovery room outside the theatre and be taken back to your bed. You will feel groggy for a while as a result of the anaesthetic and also any painkillers such as morphine. You will have a dressing over your wound(s). You may have a drain to help empty fluid from your wound. This consists of one or two tubes coming out of your wound which are attached to a small container or bag. The drain will be kept in for between 3 and 5 days. It is checked twice daily after your operation to see how much fluid has accumulated. It will be taken out when there is only a small amount of fluid being accumulated in the bag.
You will either: be kept in hospital until the drain comes out; or have it removed later by your surgeon or the nurse. You will normally be given pethidine or morphine and possible an injection for anti-nausea. Initially you may have a tube with saline solution and one of these painkillers. With this you can press a button whenever you want more. Later you will may be told you can have a painkiller injection as you need it.
