How often should a woman see her surgeon after a mastectomy for follow-up care? is it for life? thanks!

Post Mastectomy: Good question! if you were initially released from the surgeon's care, even for cancer, your primary care physician or oncologist should be able to handle most concerns barring complications or lymph edema. Consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon may also be useful allowing a reconstruction which many women find adds final closure to an otherwise traumatic chapter of life.

No : Once your incision is healed you do not need to see your surgeon as long as someone is ordering the mammograms on the other breast . But if you feel any new lumps over the incision you should notify your surgeon.

2-3 years: I personally follow my patients 2-3 years after mastectomy (or any breast surgery). After that time, they are followed by the medical oncologist if they are on hormonal medications. Each team is different and has their own set of criteria. Contact your navigator for more information.

It depends: If the mastectomy was for breast cancer, many surgeons follow the patient life-time. Some refer the patient back to her primary care physician or a medical oncologist for long term follow-up. Usually the surgeons follow the patient twice a year in the first five years. Then once a year. Or they continue twice a year visits if the patient requested that.