Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
It is important to find Breast Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Resources from trusted Breast Cancer Organizations. And, it is equally important to know which questions to ask your breast surgeon to help you make an informed decision on your surgical treatment.
Below are some frequently asked questions about breast cancer surgery and some recommended resources for additional research.
Below is a list of common questions to ask your breast surgeon that may be helpful. You may also download these questions here to bring with you to your appointment.
- How do I prepare for surgery?
- Do I need a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
- What are the potential risks and side effects from surgery?
- How long will my surgery take?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- Will I have surgical drains?
- Will I need help at home after surgery?
- When do I need to make a decision about surgery?
- Is lumpectomy as good as mastectomy?
- Am I a candidate for a Hidden Scar lumpectomy?
- Are you trained in Hidden Scar techniques?
- Can you save my nipple?
- Am I a candidate for Hidden Scar nipple-sparing mastectomy?
- Why should I consider Hidden Scar Surgery?
- Should I have breast reconstruction?
- What are the different types of reconstruction?
- Will both of my breasts look the same?
- How will my implants feel?
- How long will my implants last?
- What will my scars look like after surgery?
- When people look at me, will they know I’ve had surgery?
- Are there any support groups you would recommend?
- When can I start exercising again?
- How do I prepare for surgery?
- Do I need a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
- What are the potential risks and side effects from surgery?
- How long will my surgery take?
- How long will I be in the hospital?
- Will I have surgical drains?
- Will I need help at home after surgery?
- When do I need to make a decision about surgery?
- Is lumpectomy as good as mastectomy?
- Am I a candidate for a Hidden Scar lumpectomy?
- Are you trained in Hidden Scar techniques?
- Can you save my nipple?
- Am I a candidate for Hidden Scar nipple-sparing mastectomy?
- Why should I consider Hidden Scar Surgery?
- Should I have breast reconstruction?
- What are the different types of reconstruction?
- Will both of my breasts look the same?
- How will my implants feel?
- How long will my implants last?
- What will my scars look like after surgery?
- When people look at me, will they know I’ve had surgery?
- Are there any support groups you would recommend?
- When can I start exercising again?
For information in your local community on Breast Cancer Support, Breast Cancer Organizations, and more Breast Cancer Resources, ask your breast cancer treatment team
National Organizations
Breastcancer.org
Breastcancer.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing the most reliable, complete, and up-to-date information about breast cancer. Our mission is to help women and their loved ones make sense of the complex medical and personal information about breast cancer, so they can make the best decisions for their lives.
National Cancer Institute: Cancer.gov
The National Cancer Institute ( NCI) is the U.S. government’s lead agency for cancer research and is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
FORCE: FacingOurRisk.org
FORCE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Our mission includes providing peer support, education, awareness, advocacy and research specific to hereditary cancer.
YSC: YoungSurvivorsCoalition
Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier global organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Breast360.org
The American Society of Breast Surgeons Foundation is pleased to present its patient website, Breast360.org! As breast care experts, we want to share our knowledge with you and serve as your “go to place” for reliable, helpful information. Knowledge is power. Breast360.org’s goal is to engage, educate and empower our readers so that they will be better able to make informed decisions for their breast health care.
BCRecovery.org
Breast Cancer Recovery’s mission is to provide environments for women breast cancer survivors to heal emotionally. All programs are designed and conducted by survivors for survivors.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer
We provide programs and services to help people whose lives have been impacted by breast cancer. Our goal is to provide information, community and support that you can trust, is easy for you to access and respectful of you and your situation. All our resources are carefully and frequently reviewed by some of the country’s leading healthcare experts and informed by people living with breast cancer.
Regional Organizations
The Healing Consciousness
Holistic services are offered to breast cancer survivors who are treated in conjunction with The Breast Health Program at Holy Redeemer Hospital and Comprehensive Breast care Surgeons of Holy Redeemer.
The mission of The Healing Consciousness Foundation is to improve the quality of life for those at high risk for or diagnosed with breast cancer through holistic healing modalities, education, and life style changes. We provide the funding for services to empower them, and their families, to reduce their risk factors and realize their full healing potential.
The Shanti Project
Shanti provides emotional & practical support services to San Francisco’s most vulnerable individuals living with a life-threatening illness. Shanti has been at the forefront of a growing national movement to enhance the quality of life for persons living with life-threatening or chronic illnesses by providing volunteer-based emotional and practical support.
Additional Recommended Resources
Breast Cancer Resources | Breast Cancer Surgery
It is important to find Breast Cancer Support and Breast Cancer Resources from trusted Breast Cancer Organizations. And, it is equally important to know which questions to ask your breast surgeon.
Patient Stories
Watch real patient stories of breast cancer survivors to hear how the lives of these women and their families were impacted by the journey of breast cancer.
Breast Cancer Surgery Recovery
It’s important to prepare for your breast cancer surgery recovery. Learn more about what to expect during recovery after surgery.