Recovery after Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery recovery takes about six weeks, although recovery times vary depending upon the individual. During this time, patient’s activity levels will be closely monitored and secondary breast reconstruction procedures may be considered.

Breast Cancer Reconstruction Recovery Time

Patients can usually expect to reach full recovery about six weeks after their breast reconstruction surgery. However, recovery time may be extended if a patient decides to have another procedure, such as nipple reconstruction.

The First Few Weeks

Breast reconstruction patients will remain in the hospital for two to five days following the initial surgery. Drainage tubes used to drain excess fluid from the surgical site will be removed in one to two weeks and stitches will be removed in 7 to 10 days. Recovery may take six weeks or more if a flap breast reconstruction is performed. If breast implant reconstruction surgery is performed, the recovery time may be shorter than six weeks.

Following breast reconstruction surgery, patients will experience moderate pain, discomfort, and fatigue for several weeks. Patients will be advised to avoid strenuous physical activity, including lifting objects over their heads, participating in sports, and engaging in sexual activity for three to six weeks following breast reconstruction surgery. Patients will not recover normal sensation in the breast, but may regain some feeling over time. Scars will be prominent during this time, and patients may experience mild to moderate itching as the incisions start to heal.

The First Several Months

Though you should make a near full recovery by about six weeks, secondary reconstruction procedures will lengthen the recovery time. Doctors usually perform nipple reconstruction after eight weeks. At this time, swelling and bruising of the breast mound have disappeared, and the mound has settled into its final shape. This is also the time to consider refining the natural breast if you desire more symmetry or for your breasts to feel more alike, although some doctors may refine your natural breast at the time of your initial breast reconstruction. It is important to remember that secondary breast reconstruction surgery won’t restore feeling to the breast mound, but it can add to the aesthetic appeal of the reconstructed breast.

It may take time to adjust emotionally to having a reconstructed breast. It may help to talk with other women who have had the procedure, or to a mental health professional, if you find it hard to cope.

Breast Reconstruction Scars

Depending on which method of breast reconstruction surgery is utilized, patients can expect to have scars in one, or several, of the following areas: breast, nipple, abdomen, navel, back, buttocks, or another area from where tissue was removed to fashion a breast mound. Surgical scars will fade with time, but will never entirely disappear.

The surgery that causes the most scarring is flap reconstruction, where tissue from another part of the body is used to make a breast mound. A secondary nipple reconstruction surgery in which a nipple is formed out of body tissue will cause further scarring, while implants are the least invasive breast reconstruction surgery option and leave the fewest number of scars. Most patients find that the benefits of breast reconstruction outweigh drawbacks such as scarring, regardless of the technique used.

Speak with a Plastic Surgeon near You

DocShop has an extensive listing of cosmetic plastic surgeons. Find a doctor near you who can perform your breast reconstruction surgery and who will address questions unique to your case.