Pain Management
People experience different types and amount of pain or discomfort after surgery. You will be given a prescription for Percocet® or Vicodin® pain medication. It is recommended that you take these medications as needed before your pain is severe during the first 24-48 hours after your surgery. Ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) or Tylenol® can be added to or replace Vicodin®
PLEASE NOTIFY US OF ANY DRUG ALLERGIES, REACTIONS OR MEDICAL PROBLEMS THAT WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM TAKING THESE DRUGS. PERCOCET® AND VICODIN® ARE NARCOTICS AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN WITH ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. DO NOT USE NARCOTICS WHILE DRIVING.
Healing and recovery are improved with good pain control.- Narcotics can also cause or worsen constipation, so increase fluids, eat high
fiber foods (like prunes and bran); Also make sure you are up, out of bed, taking
small walks. - An ice pack may be helpful to decrease discomfort and swelling, particularly to
the armpit after a lymph node dissection. A small pillow positioned in the armpit
may also decrease discomfort. - You will have a breathing tube inserted into your throat during the surgery. This
can often cause a sore throat for a few days following your surgery.
PLEASE WEAR A BRA FOR 5-7 DAYS FOLLOWING SURGERY, EVEN WHILE YOU SLEEP. This minimizes post-operative bleeding and will make you more comfortable.
Incision (Scar) and Dressing Care
Your incision has both stitches and Steristrips (thin white strips of tape placed over the incision) and is covered by a gauze dressing and tape. You can remove the gauze dressing over your incision in 2-3 days, but do not remove the Steristrips. If they fall off, do not attempt to replace them. Most of the time, the stitches placed under the strips are absorbable and do not need to be removed. NOTE: Bruising and some swelling are common after surgery. A lowgrade fever (under 100oF) is normal the day after surgery.
Sometimes, the incision is closed with steel clips. We will remove these clips in ten days to two weeks. You should keep a dry dressing over these clips until they are removed.
You may have a JACKSON-PRATT (JP) drain after your surgery. This drain is a plastic tube from under the skin to outside your body with a bulb attached to it. A nurse will teach you how to empty your drain prior to going home from the hospital. Empty the drain 2-3 times per day or when the bulb is full. Write down the amount drained on a sheet of paper. An information sheet on the JP drain is included in this pamphlet.
Showering and Bathing Instructions
IF YOU HAVE A DRAIN IN PLACE, or if you have steel clips on your incision, you cannot shower until 24 hours after the drain and the clips are removed. We recommend sponge bathing until then.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DRAIN, you may shower 2-3 days after the surgery.Remove the gauze and paper tape that cover your incision before you shower. Pat dry your incision thoroughly after showering with a clean towel and BE CAREFUL NOT TO REMOVE THE STERI-STRIPS OR SUTURES. You can cover them with a dry dressing afterwards. Activity after Surgery Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise until the stitches are removed. Walking is a normal activity that can be restarted right away. You may restart driving when you are no longer on narcotics, all drains are out and you feel safe turning the wheel and stopping quickly.
Things you can do:
- Cooking
- Washing dishes and clothes
- Riding in a car
- Climbing stairs
Things you can not do:
- Vacuuming
- Sweeping
- Heavy cleaning
- Lifting heavy objects
- Heavy yard work
FOLLOWING A LYMPH NODE DISSECTION, YOU SHOULD MINIMIZE THE ACTIVITY OF THE AFFECTED ARM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE UNTIL YOUR DOCTOR REMOVES THE JP DRAIN
Note, you must not avoid using your arm altogether and should move all joints on a regular basis. After all the drains have been removed, you can start exercises to regain movement and flexibility.
Return To Work
Most people return to work within 3 to 6 weeks. If you will be undergoing radiation and/or chemotherapy, that may be longer. Return to work also varies with your type of work, your overall health and personal preferences. Discuss returning to work with your physician or nurse.
