Discharge Instructions for Lumpectomy or Breast Biopsy

You just had a procedure to remove a lump or a sample of tissue from your breast. After surgery, be sure to have an adult drive you home and to follow the guidelines on this sheet. Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.

Diet

• Start with liquids and light, easy-to-digest foods such as bananas and dry toast. As you feel up to it, slowly return to your normal diet.

• Drink at least 6-8  glasses of water or other nonalcoholic fluids a day, unless directed otherwise.

Activity

• After the procedure, take it easy for the rest of the day.

• If you had general anesthesia, don't use machinery or power tools, drink alcohol, or make any major decisions for at least the first  24  hours.

• Return to normal activities (including driving) in 24 hours.

Bandage and Incision Care

• Take pain medications as directed. Don't wait until the pain gets bad before taking them. Don't drink alcohol while on pain medications.

• Wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen peas in a thin cloth. Place this over the bandaged incision for no longer than 20  minutes at a time. Do this as needed.

• Wear a comfortable bra at all times, even to bed, to help keep swelling down.

• If strips of tape have been used to close your incision, do not pull them off. Let them fall off on their own.

• If you have a gauze bandage, keep it and the wound dry for 48 hours.If the gauze bandage gets wet, replace it with a clean, dry bandage.