Breast Cancer Slideshow Pictures Take the Breast Cancer Quiz Disease Prevention in Women Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Leigh A Neumayer, MD, MS, FACS

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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After the Procedure

• After surgery, the woman is taken to a recovery room where her vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and breathing) are monitored. Once stable, she is moved out of the recovery room.


• Depending on the severity of her pain, the woman may be given pain medications orally or by intravenous injection. The medication does not eliminate pain, but it does reduce the pain.


• A woman undergoing a mastectomy generally stays in the hospital for one to seven days, depending on the type of mastectomy and the type of reconstruction, if any. A few women are able to go home the night of their mastectomy.