Editing Mastectomy (section)

===Before surgery===
Prior to undergoing the mastectomy, it is important to meet with the surgeon to discuss the relevant risks and benefits of receiving the surgery. Depending on the indication for mastectomy, there may be other options to address the clinical condition. One important consideration to discuss with the surgeon is whether breast reconstruction will occur and when this procedure will take place. One option is to have the reconstruction immediately after the mastectomy in the same surgery, whereas other patients opt for a subsequent surgery for reconstruction. This breast reconstruction surgery will be conducted by a plastic surgeon. In addition to the surgeon, a meeting with an anesthesiologist is pertinent in order to review the patient's medical history and determine the plan of anesthesia.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

Leading up to the day of the surgery, there are various considerations that patients can be cognizant of to facilitate their recovery following surgery. As with other surgeries that may lead to appreciable blood loss, it is advised not to take aspirin or aspirin-containing products for 10 days before the surgery.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mastectomy: Instructions Before Surgery |url=https://www.ucsfhealth.org/Education/Mastectomy%20Instructions%20Before%20Surgery |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=ucsfhealth.org |language=en}}</ref> The reason for this is to prevent the anti-coagulative function of aspirin and other blood thinners that would make it difficult to achieve coagulation during the surgery. In addition, it is important for patients to tell the doctor about any medications, vitamins, or supplements that they are taking because some substances could interfere with the surgery.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |title=Mastectomy - Mayo Clinic |url=https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mastectomy/about/pac-20394670 |access-date=2022-09-12 |website=www.mayoclinic.org}}</ref> It is also pertinent for patients to not eat or drink 8 to 12 hours before surgery, however, there may be specific pre-operative instructions given by each patient's care team.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Preparing for Surgery |url=https://www.acog.org/en/womens-health/faqs/preparing-for-surgery |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=www.acog.org |language=en}}</ref>

Maintaining fitness and proper nutrition is also an important measure to consider prior to receiving a surgery because it has been shown that postoperative outcomes are improved in patients that exercise and maintain a healthy diet prior to surgery. In addition to nutrition and exercise, it is advised to reduce alcohol consumption and smoking. This concept of pre-rehabilitation is beneficial in mitigating post-operative complications and decreasing length of stay in the hospital.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Durrand |first1=James |last2=Singh |first2=Sally J |last3=Danjoux |first3=Gerry |date=November 2019 |title=Prehabilitation |journal=Clinical Medicine |volume=19 |issue=6 |pages=458–464 |doi=10.7861/clinmed.2019-0257 |issn=1470-2118 |pmc=6899232 |pmid=31732585}}</ref> The rationale is that increasing a patient's functional status prior to surgery will allow for a smoother and faster recovery in the postoperative setting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Getting yourself healthy before surgery: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000433.htm |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=medlineplus.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Recent research has indicated that mammograms should not be done with any increased frequency than the normal procedure in women undergoing breast surgery, including breast augmentation, [[mastopexy]], and breast reduction.<ref name=":11">{{Citation|author1=American Society of Plastic Surgeons |author1-link=American Society of Plastic Surgeons |date=24 April 2014 |title=Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question |publisher=American Society of Plastic Surgeons |work=[[Choosing Wisely]]: an initiative of the [[ABIM Foundation]] |url=http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-society-of-plastic-surgeons/ |access-date=25 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719103909/http://www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/american-society-of-plastic-surgeons/ |archive-date=19 July 2014 }}</ref>