Simple mastectomy

A mastectomy is an operation to remove a breast, and is an effective treatment for breast cancer. 

Who is suitable for a simple mastectomy?

A mastectomy is an operation to remove a breast, and is an effective treatment for breast cancer

There are different types of mastectomy. During a simple mastectomy, your surgeon will remove all of the breast and most of the skin covering it, while preserving the surrounding chest muscles and lymph nodes. The aim is to remove any cancerous tissues, preventing the cancer from returning or spreading.  

Who is suitable for a simple mastectomy?

Your breast consultant may recommend a simple (or total) mastectomy if: 

  • cancer is found in a large area of your breast; 
  • cancer has spread throughout the breast; or 
  • your breast is full of pre-cancerous cells. 

Some women at high risk of breast cancer may choose to have a mastectomy to prevent cancer. 

If you are diagnosed with a cancer in its early stages, you may choose to have breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy. Your consultant will discuss your different treatment options with you. 

What does a simple mastectomy involve? ​

A simple mastectomy usually takes about 90 minutes. During the operation, you will be under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will completely remove the breast and the overlying skin, including the nipple and surrounding areola. They will aim to leave the chest muscles beneath the breast, and the lymph nodes under the armpits. Sometimes breast reconstruction surgery is done at the same time.  

What can you do to prepare for a simple mastectomy?

Ahead of your operation, your breast consultant will discuss your treatment options, the advantages and disadvantages of a simple mastectomy, and your options for breast reconstruction. They will also talk to you about your recovery, and the possible physical and emotional effects of this type of surgery.  

What is the recovery period?

Depending on the nature of your simple mastectomy, you may be able to return home the same day. For a more extensive operation, you will need to be cared for in hospital for up to two nights. When you are ready to return home, your consultant or nurse will let you know how to manage your recovery. Typically, it takes three to six weeks before you can return to your normal activities, including work.  

Paying for your treatment

We welcome both self-paying and insured patients.

Self-pay packages

If you wish to self-pay for your treatment, we offer a range of package options, including:

  • Hospital packages that group standard diagnostics and the procedure into one clear price. Consultant fees, anaesthetist fees, and any other addition to your treatment are billed separately.
  • Fixed price packages that group everything you may need for treatment into one clear price, including pre-admission tests, the procedure, professional fees, post-op outpatient care, and any other consultant-recommended services.

If you would like to enquire about a self-pay package, please call our dedicated team on +44 (0)20 7244 4886.

Below is an outline of our self-pay hospital package which includes tests, hospital stay and procedure. Please note: it does not include consultant fees, which may vary.

Hospital package from £6,435 (daycase), £7,305 (one night), and £8,575 (two nights).

Inclusions

  • standard pre-admission tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-ray 
  • accommodation in a private en-suite room for up to two nights  
  • all meals  
  • nursing 
  • ward medications and dressings 
  • theatre procedure and anaesthetics 
  • inpatient physiotherapy, if needed, and surgical stockings 
  • post-op and discharge medication 

Exclusions

  • consultant consultation fee  
  • consultant procedure fee  
  • anaesthetist fee 
  • non-standard diagnostic and histology tests 

Included in the package price:

  • consultant surgeon and consultant anaesthetist procedure fees
  • two follow-up consultations with consultant within post-op timeframe 
  • pre-admission outpatient tests, which includes standard pathology and diagnostic tests (ECG and chest X-ray), if required
  • recovery and accommodation, which includes a stay in a private en-suite room
  • ward medications, dressings, and nursing consumables
  • theatre procedure, including anaesthetic drugs and theatre consumables
  • pathology, blood products, and histology, if required
  • breast care services
  • standard post-op medication issued and used during the inpatient stay
  • inpatient physiotherapy and surgical stockings, if required
  • discharge medication pertaining to the condition being treated by this package
  • all patient meals and non-alcoholic beverages
  • post-op X-rays and physiotherapy pertaining to the procedure within four weeks
  • return to theatres within one week of the procedure date due to complication

Excluded from the package price:

  • take-out supplies
  • companion beds and catering for relatives/visitors
  • personal expenses, such as telephone calls, additional catering, ambulances, etc.

If additional night’s stay, diagnostics, or other services are requested from your consultant you will not be charged in addition for these as these are included within the fixed price package.

Consultants offering this package:

When enquiring about this package, please quote B2780.

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