This information describes what to do and expect before and after your axillary lymph node dissection or lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection.
Follow your care team’s instructions while you’re getting ready for and recovering from surgery. Read About Your Lumpectomy and Axillary Surgery and Hand and Arm Guidelines After Your Axillary Lymph Node Dissection.
Getting ready for your surgery
What to do
- Set up a MyMSK account if you haven’t already. Visit www.msk.org/pe/enroll_mymsk for instructions.
- Fill out a Health Care Proxy form. You can ask a member of your care team for a copy or find it at www.health.ny.gov/publications/1430.pdf
- Identify your caregiver.
- Arrange for someone to take you home after surgery.
- Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking medicines.
What to buy
- Buy a 4% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) solution antiseptic skin cleanser, such as Hibiclens®.
- Buy 325-milligram acetaminophen tablets, such as Tylenol® Regular Strength.
Presurgical Testing (PST) appointment
- Bring a list of all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take.
- Bring any important medical notes or results from tests done outside of MSK. (If your MSK care team already has them, you don’t need to bring them.)
1 day before your surgery
Note the time of your surgery
A staff member will call you between and They will tell you what time to arrive for your surgery. If your surgery is on Monday, they will call you on the Friday before. If you don’t get a call by , call 212-639-5014.
Taking medicine
- Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking medicines.
Showering
-
Shower in the evening.
- Wash your hair, face, and genital area as usual.
- Wash from your neck to your feet with 4% CHG solution. Avoid your head and genital area.
- Dry yourself with a clean towel. Do not use lotion, cream, deodorant, makeup, powder, perfume, or cologne afterward.
Instructions for eating
Stop eating at midnight (12 a.m.) the night before your surgery. This includes hard candy and gum.
If your healthcare provider told you to stop eating earlier than midnight, follow their instructions. Some people need to fast (not eat) for longer before their surgery.
The day of your surgery
Instructions for drinking
Between midnight (12 a.m.) and 2 hours before your arrival time, only drink the liquids on the list below. Do not eat or drink anything else. Stop drinking 2 hours before your arrival time.
- Water.
- Clear apple juice, clear grape juice, or clear cranberry juice.
- Gatorade or Powerade.
-
Black coffee or plain tea. It’s OK to add sugar. Do not add anything else.
- Do not add any amount of any type of milk or creamer. This includes plant-based milks and creamers.
- Do not add honey.
- Do not add flavored syrup.
If you have diabetes, pay attention to the amount of sugar in these drinks. It will be easier to control your blood sugar levels if you include sugar-free, low-sugar, or no added sugar versions of these drinks.
It’s helpful to stay hydrated before surgery, so drink if you are thirsty. Do not drink more than you need. You will get intravenous (IV) fluids during your surgery.
Stop drinking 2 hours before your arrival time. This includes water.
Taking medicine
- Only take the medicines your healthcare provider told you to take. Take them with a small sip of water.
Showering
- Shower before your surgery. Follow the same steps you did the night before.
Things to remember
- If you use contact lenses, wear glasses instead.
- Take off any metal objects and jewelry, including body piercings.
- Leave valuable items at home.
- Wear a button-down or loose-fitting top and flat, safe shoes for walking.
- Bring your Health Care Proxy form and other advance directives, if you’ve filled them out.
In the hospital after surgery
Learning to care for yourself at home
-
Meet with your nurse to review:
- How to manage your pain.
- How to take care of your drain(s) and incision(s).
- How to shower.
- When you’ll be able to drive.
- Review arm exercises to do at home.
Getting ready for discharge
- Make sure you have a responsible care partner to take you home.
At home
Remember to follow your care team’s instructions while you’re recovering from your surgery.
Taking medicine
- Take your medicines as directed and as needed.
- Do not drive or drink alcohol while you’re taking prescription pain medicine.
Caring for your drain(s)
- Empty your drain(s) in the morning and evening. Milk the tubing each time. Follow the instructions in Caring for Your Jackson-Pratt Drain.
- Follow your breast surgeon’s instructions for when to call their office to schedule your drain removal.
Showering
- You can shower 24 hours after your surgery.
Exercise and physical activity
- Follow the instructions in Exercises After Your Lumpectomy or Axillary Lymph Node Procedure .
- Do your arm exercises 3 times every day until you can move your arm as you did before surgery. After that, do them once every day.
Sexual activity
- You can start sexual activity when you feel ready.
When to call your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider if:
- You have a fever above 101°F (38.3 °C).
- The skin around your incision(s) is redder or warmer than usual.
- You have increased discomfort in the area of your surgery.
- There’s drainage from your incision(s).
- Your arm or the area around your incision(s) is starting to swell or getting more swollen.
- You have trouble breathing.
- You have any questions or concerns.
