Pre-Operative Care
The following information is intended to prepare you for surgery so you know exactly what to expect along the way. Please be sure to review it carefully and call us if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to help!
Six Weeks Before
Quit smoking
You MUST BE nicotine free for at least the six weeks leading up to surgery. In addition to tobacco, the use of nicotine patches or gum is not permitted in these six weeks. Smoking greatly increases the risk you will experience complications or procedure failure. We may ask that your blood nicotine levels be checked prior to your surgery.
If you require a stop-smoking aid, we recommend you speak to your doctor about using Zyban to assist you.
Special Bra and Undergarment Requirements
You will need to purchase special undergarments before your surgery that provide support to your new breast(s) and donor site(s). Support garments help relieve suture tension and aid in reducing swelling and pain. They also support tissue growth and adherence, so you heal as quickly as possible.
All patients will need a comfortable sport style, front-closing cotton bra without any underwire. Patients having surgery involving abdominal tissue (the DIEP or SEIA procedures) will also need an abdominal binder. Patients having surgery involving tissue from their thigh or buttock (the TUG, SGAP and IGAP procedures) will need either a compression girdle or a tight pair of spandex compression shorts.
Your clinic nurse will help you determine the best garments for your body type and will tell you where you can purchase them.
One Day Before Surgery
No drinking or eating is permitted after midnight on the day before your surgery. In the morning, you may only drink enough water to take any required medication.
It is common for many patients to feel anxious, especially the day before your surgery. Rest assured that these feelings are completely natural. Try to relax any way you can and make yourself as comfortable as possible while adhering to the surgical requirements.
Surgery Day
Arriving at the Hospital
On the day of your surgery, no food or beverages are allowed, with the exception of water required to take prescribed medication.
You’ll be asked to come to Health Sciences Centre Admitting at 820 Sherbrook Avenue. Please have your Manitoba Health card and any other insurance information to present at the admitting desk.
Family and friends can accompany you to the hospital and through the first steps of preparing for your surgery.
You will leave your personal belongings in Admitting and staff will ensure they arrive in your room following your surgery. In Admitting, you’ll also be asked to provide the name of a contact that can be reached during your operation if necessary. Once admitted, you will be directed to the Day Surgery unit on the third floor.
Preparing for Surgery in the Day Surgery Area
The first thing you’ll do in the Day Surgery Area is change into a hospital-supplied gown. Your blood pressure, temperature and heart rate will be checked and an IV inserted into your arm so that necessary body fluids and medication can be administered during and after your surgery.
The nurse will do a brief review to ensure all tests and paper work are complete and with your chart. Stockings will be put on your legs to prevent blood from pooling and forming blood clots in your legs. You will also receive any medications or antibiotics the doctor has ordered. Lastly, the doctor will draw markings on your body to indicate where your incisions will be made. At this point, you are ready to be taken to the waiting area outside the operating room.
While your surgery is underway, your family can wait in the visitor lounge located on the second floor of the Anne Thomas building. The lounge is equipped with a phone that connects to the recovery room. They may also go to the cafeteria or leave the hospital and return near the end of your surgery if they wish.
Your Surgery Begins
The Operating Room
Once inside the operating room, you will meet the anesthetist who put you to sleep for your surgery. You will be connected to numerous machines like heart and blood pressure monitors that will ensure your vital signs remain normal. Once connected, you will be put to sleep, connected to a ventilator system and fitted with a catheter.
During Surgery
A medical team of eight or more specialists is present during your surgery. The team includes the surgical oncologist who performs the mastectomy, your plastic surgeon, a resident, a physician’s assistant, the anesthetist and three nurses.
The length of your surgery depends on the type of procedure and whether one or two breasts require surgery. Most DIEP and SIEA procedures are completed in two to four hours when one breast is being reconstructed or approximately six to eight hours for both. TUG, SGAP and IGAP surgical procedures typically take approximately eight hours.