Every surgery carries a risk of complications. A complication refers to any issue that arises post-surgery, making recovery more challenging. For instance, wound infections are a common complication following any operation.
Prior to suggesting surgery, your surgeon ensures that the benefits of the procedure outweigh any potential risks.
Your surgeon will discuss the possible complications of both the surgery and the general anesthesia with you before you sign the consent form. After the operation, your medical team closely monitors you to detect any issues early on.
While most complications are minor, some can be serious. Early treatment is crucial.
Your nurse will provide you with contact numbers for any post-surgery issues.
Blood Clots
After surgery, there is a risk of blood clots forming in your legs, and a smaller risk of clots forming in your lungs.
To prevent blood clots, nurses will encourage you to get up and move as soon as possible after your operation and to perform leg exercises.
You may also receive blood-thinning injections (anticoagulants) before, during, and after surgery. Your surgeon will discuss this with you if necessary.
Additionally, you will wear special stockings (anti-embolism stockings or TEDS) during and after the operation.
Fatigue and Weakness
It's common to feel weak and lack strength for some time after surgery, though the duration varies from person to person.
Inform your doctor or nurse if the weakness persists for more than a few weeks. They may recommend physiotherapy or other measures to help.
Bleeding from the Wound
A small amount of blood on your wound dressing is normal after surgery. Nurses will regularly check your dressing. Report any excessive bleeding to your doctor or nurse immediately.
Wound Infection
Infections can occur after any surgery. If you develop an infection, antibiotics are usually effective. However, you might need to stay in the hospital longer or return for antibiotic treatment via a drip.
Contact your doctor, nurse, or 24-hour advice line if you exhibit symptoms of an infection, such as:
- A temperature above 37.5Ā°C or below 36Ā°C
- Redness or swelling of the breast
- Warmth or pain in the breast
- Fluid discharge from the wound
- Feeling cold and shivery
- General malaise
Seroma (Fluid Collection)
Fluid may collect around the wound or armpit, especially after the wound drain is removed. This can cause:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Increased infection risk
The fluid usually resolves on its own within a few weeks. If the seroma is painful, your nurse or doctor can drain it with a needle and syringe. Fluid may occasionally reaccumulate after drainage.
Report any signs of a developing seroma to your doctor or nurse.
Hematoma (Blood Collection)
Blood may occasionally accumulate in the tissues around the wound, causing pain, swelling, and hardness. Hematomas typically resolve on their own, though it may take months. If necessary, your doctor or nurse can drain the swelling.
Report any swelling around the wound to your doctor or nurse.
Nerve Pain
Numbness, tingling, or shooting pain in the armpit, upper arm, shoulder, or chest wall may occur due to nerve damage during surgery. Nerves usually heal themselves, but this can take several weeks or months.
Your doctor or nurse can prescribe medication to help with nerve pain.
Shoulder Stiffness
After breast surgery or lymph node removal, your shoulder may become stiff and painful. Your nurse or physiotherapist will demonstrate exercises to improve shoulder mobility post-surgery.
Arm or Hand Swelling
Slight swelling in the arm or hand post-surgery is common and should subside soon after the operation. Report persistent swelling, pain, or tenderness to your doctor or nurse immediately.
There is a risk of long-term swelling (lymphedema) in the arm and hand after lymph node removal surgery. This occurs when lymph fluid cannot drain properly and can develop at any time post-surgery.
While lymphedema is incurable, early treatment can help manage it. Your nurse will advise you on preventing lymphedema.
Cording (Scar Tissue in the Armpit)
Some women develop scar tissue (cording or axillary web syndrome) in the armpit after lymph node removal. This can create tight bands that may extend down the arm to the elbow, wrist, or thumb.
Cording is harmless but can be painful and limit arm movement. Regular massage can help. Inform your breast care nurse if you develop cording, and they can refer you to a physiotherapist for massage techniques and stretching exercises. Cording usually resolves within a few months. Anti-inflammatory painkillers may also help; consult your nurse or doctor about taking these.