Bilateral Mastectomy

Bilateral Mastectomy Procedure

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of one or both breasts. This option is often considered for individuals with breast cancer, as it can help prevent the disease’s spread to other parts of the body. Depending on the individual case, various types of mastectomies may be performed including total mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, and skin-sparing mastectomy. 

In a total mastectomy, all breast tissue is removed along with the nipple and areola. In a modified radical mastectomy, some lymph nodes under the arm may also be removed in addition to breast tissue. A skin-sparing mastectomy preserves as much breast skin as possible for reconstructive purposes following surgery. After this procedure, individuals may opt for reconstructive surgery or wear external prostheses to regain their natural shape and feel more confident about their appearance.

When is a Bilateral Mastectomy Necessary?

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may wonder when and if a mastectomy is necessary. Depending on the location and severity of the cancerous tumor, your doctor will make an informed recommendation on what steps should be taken. In many cases, a total mastectomy is not necessary and breast cancer patients can explore other options. However, a mastectomy procedure is necessary for certain instances:

• The cancer is spread throughout the breast
• Radiation therapy is not an option
• The tumor is comparatively large to your breast size
• Two or more tumors in different areas of the breast

There are a number of reasons why a patient wouldn’t be able to undergo radiation therapy. In this case, a lumpectomy or a mastectomy is often the next choice for patients. A lumpectomy is similar in nature to a mastectomy, but this procedure refers to the removal of only the tumor and surrounding tissue, rather than the whole breast. Depending on the size and location of your tumor, you and your doctor can make a decision on what is right for you. 

Preparing for Your Procedure

Several weeks before your scheduled procedure, your doctor may order pre-op tests. This may include, but is not limited to, a chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and blood tests. These tests will give the doctor additional information on your condition and will determine if your body is capable of undergoing this procedure. 

Your doctor will give you instructions that must be followed prior to surgery. It is imperative that patients closely follow these instructions for a successful procedure. A mastectomy procedure is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. Therefore, it is important for the patient to follow the doctor’s instructions on not eating on the day of surgery and pausing certain medications. Additionally, the patient will need a designated driver to bring them home after the procedure, as they will not be able to drive. 

After the procedure has concluded, you will be given pain medication to manage discomfort. However, as this is a particularly invasive procedure, you may still experience some discomfort for the first few days. During the recovery period, your doctor will give you instructions on how to manage your drain (if given one), how to identify infections, how to use medications, and how to go about different activities, such as showering. It can take between 4-8 weeks for patients to return to normal function. 

Bilateral Mastectomy with Smith Medical

At Smith Medical, we understand the complexities of healthcare. Today, many procedures and treatments are unattainable due to their lofty price. In fact, the average cost of a mastectomy is a number that a limited amount of the population can afford. Therefore, it is Smith Medical’s mission to provide our patients with the accessible, transparent, and quality care they deserve. 

For many breast cancer patients, a mastectomy is the only way to fully remove cancerous tumors from the breast. Since this procedure is necessary for many women, it is important that it is accessible. Therefore, Smith Medical is proud to offer accessible mastectomies to women throughout Denver. We remove the divider between patient and practice by offering direct care options. 

Contact the team at Smith Medical to learn more today.