- What kind of surgery do you recommend? How much of my breast will be removed?
- What are the risks and side effects of this surgery? What are the risks if I decide not to have this surgery?
- What are my options for anesthesia? What are the risks of anesthesia?
- How do I take care of the incision site at home?
- Will I need pain medication?
- Will I have a lymph node dissection? If so, how many nodes will be removed?
- What should I include in my care routine after lymph node dissection?
- How do I bathe or shower with the drains present?
- Will I have stitches that need to be removed later?
- How long will I stay in the hospital after the surgery?
- When can I start wearing a bra? Do I need a special type of bra?
- Will surgical drains be placed in my chest/armpit area? If so, for how long and how do I take care of them?
- How much time should I expect to allow for recovery at home?
- Will I have decreased or absent sensation/numbness in my chest or arm?
- Do you have any information about exercises that I can take with me?
- If I have a mastectomy, will I be able to have breast reconstruction?
- Will my medical insurance cover all charges from the surgery?
Questions to ask your cancer care team while considering breast cancer surgery
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