What happens if breast surgery is advised?

Many breast conditions do not require surgery. If we recommend surgery, our surgical team will usually explain what is involved at your clinic visit, outlining the risks and benefits of the proposed surgery, to help you make a decision. There will be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. There may be written information you can take away to read and an opportunity to speak with a breast care nurse.

The majority of breast surgeries (approximately 80%) are performed as day case surgery.

Before the day of your surgery, you will be assessed at the preadmission clinic (E level, outpatients, Princess Anne Hospital) to make sure you are fit for anaesthesia, and to perform and arrange any pre-operative tests you need.

There may be a range of surgical operations available for some conditions, especially breast reconstruction, so you might need longer to make a decision. The breast care nurses can support with this. They can give you written information, and there is also information and links of these pages to help you.

Breast surgery is usually performed in the day surgery unit on D level of the Princess Anne Hospital or at the Royal South Hants NHS Treatment centre (ISTC). Your surgeon will discuss the timing of surgery with you and we will confirm a date for your surgery as soon as possible.

You can contact the day surgery unit by calling switchboard on 023 8077 7222, then extension 8222 or 6659.

For other enquiries call the breast unit office on 023 8120 6831, 023 8120 6676, or 023 8120 5033.