Visit by the surgeon

The surgeon who is to perform your operation may also visit you on the ward to check that all is well.

Visit by the anesthetist

The anesthetist will probably come to see you to ask you about anything that may be relevant to the choice of anesthetic given to you.

Anesthetics have improved considerably during the last few years, and a ‘premed.’ is now not always given routinely. If you or your anesthetist feel that you are very anxious and need something to relax you, you may be given some form of sedative, by mouth or injection, 2 or 3 hours before the operation. If you enter hospital the day before your operation and think that you will be too anxious to sleep that night, you can ask the house surgeon or senior house officer for something to help you.

False teeth

If you have any false teeth or dental bridges, you should tell the anesthetist as these will have to be removed before you go into the operating theatre. A broken or loose tooth can be inhaled into the lungs during surgery. You should also point out any teeth which are crowned.

Visit by the breast care nurse

If your hospital has a breast care nurse, she will visit you on the ward before and after your operation as often as is necessary. She will be able to answer any questions you may have and will be happy to talk to members of your family. Do discuss with her anything that is worrying you; she will be very experienced and will be able to explain things clearly and simply.

‘Nil by mouth’

This is a term which means that neither food nor drink must be swallowed. In order to prevent vomiting and the risk of choking on your vomit while you are anaesthetized, you will be told not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before your operation, although you will be able to have a few sips of water with any tablets you need to take. If you are admitted the night before surgery, you will be able to have supper on the ward. If you enter hospital in the morning and your operation is to be that afternoon, you should not eat or drink for about 6 hours beforehand.

Shaving

Many women will already have shaved their armpits before coming in to hospital. If you have not done so, you will probably be given either a disposable razor or clippers to shave the hair from the entire armpit area. Although hair clippers are preferable, and prevent the skin being ‘nicked’ by leaving a layer of short hair on it, thus reducing the risk of post-operative infection, they are quite expensive. Disposable razors are therefore more commonly used. Occasionally, you may be given a hair-removing (depilatory) cream.

Apart from allowing the surgeon a clear view of the area of operation, shaving also makes the removal of the adhesive wound dressing less painful.

If you are anxious about doing the shaving yourself, do ask a nurse if someone can do it for you. Arthritis of the hands, for example, can make this a difficult task.

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