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How painful is mastectomy recovery?

The first few days after the surgery are the most painful. Since a mastectomy generally only affects the skin and fat tissue, the deep cramping pain that comes from surgery on the muscles is limited. The majority of the pain is often described as a dull sensation in the skin and a sensation of fullness in the chest. This is controlled with several days of prescription oral pain medication, wrapping the chest to decrease swelling, and physical therapy to reduce the risk of chronic pain. 

After the first week the pain from the surgery will significantly decrease and can usually be managed with over the counter pain medications alone.

What is a bilateral mastectomy?

How is a bilateral mastectomy performed?

How long is a hospital stay for a double mastectomy?

How long does it take to recover from a double mastectomy?

Can you still get breast cancer after a bilateral mastectomy?

* Savings estimate based on a study of more than 1 billion claims comparing self-pay (or cash pay) prices of a frequency-weighted market basket of procedures to insurer-negotiated rates for the same. Claims were collected between July 2017 and July 2019. R.Lawrence Van Horn, Arthur Laffer, Robert L.Metcalf. 2019. The Transformative Potential for Price Transparency in Healthcare: Benefits for Consumers and Providers. Health Management Policy and Innovation, Volume 4, Issue 3.

Sidecar Health offers and administers a variety of plans including ACA compliant and excepted benefit plans. Coverage and plan options may vary or may not be available in all states.

Your actual costs may be higher or lower than these cost estimates. Check with your provider and health plan details to confirm the costs that you may be charged for a service or procedure.You are responsible for costs that are not covered and for getting any pre-authorizations or referrals required by your health plan. Neither payments nor benefits are guaranteed. Provider data, including price data, provided in part by Turquoise Health.

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