After breast reconstruction
| What can I expect after surgery? |
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After surgery you will be tired and sore for one to two weeks. Your doctor can prescribe pain medication to relieve any discomfort. You should also expect some swelling and bruising, which could last for several weeks. Some procedures require the insertion of a drain for at least a week to remove excess fluid from the surgical site. Your stitches will either dissolve or be removed within ten days of surgery. For the first twenty-four to forty-eight hours after surgery, you can apply ice to the area every fifteen minutes to reduce pain and swelling. After a tissue expansion or breast implant procedure, you’ll be allowed to bathe again beginning twenty-four hours after the surgery. After flap surgeries, sponge baths are advised for about a week. |
| What is the recovery period like? |
| Recovery time varies depending on the type of procedure, but usually takes between four and six weeks. Recovery from flap procedures generally takes longer than recovery from implant procedures. You should be able to engage in light activities by the end of the first week, including taking short walks to reduce the risk of blood clots in the legs. Refrain from heavy lifting, sexual activity and rigorous sports for three to six weeks. Patients who have had the TRAM flap procedure should refrain from heavy lifting for at least three months, since the abdominal wall is weaken by the procedure and further strain could result in a hernia. |
| What is the long-term outcome like for most people? |
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Most patients report that breast reconstruction surgery enhances their appearance and contributes to their quality of life. Scars will never completely disappear, but they do fade with time. You should also be aware that a reconstructed breast may not duplicate the other breast exactly; it may seem firmer and have a slightly different shape. For most patients, these factors do not detract from their overall satisfaction with the replacement of a lost breast. |
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