After breast reconstruction, you can resume most of your daily activities. However, you won't be able do strenuous activities for several days. You will have follow-up appointments with Dr. Parva and will be given detailed postoperative care instructions. You should call the office as instructed to get updates and discuss your experience. Breast reconstruction recovery can take up to two weeks. However, you won't experience any complications.
Post-operative treatment
There are many things you can do to help your breast reconstruction recovery go smoothly. You can resume your usual activities but you should not engage in strenuous activity until the stitches are removed. Tell your caregiver about what you are used to doing and they can plan activities around that. Walking can be resumed right after surgery, but driving and housework cannot be done until your drain is removed. It is possible to begin exercising after six weeks. However, it is best that you wait until your first meeting with your provider to discuss your current level of physical activity.
To reduce swelling, a thick dressing will be applied to the affected area after surgery. Although the dressing is usually removed within a day or so, it can stay on for a longer time. Some surgeons use wound drains to drain fluid and blood into small bags or bottles. These drains may be removed by your surgeon, but they will still require some care. After surgery, you will have a few days of follow-up care.
Symptoms
A breast reconstruction can result in you spending up to seven days in the hospital. Instructions will be provided about what you should do for the following days and weeks. You may feel more tired than usual during this time so make sure to get lots of rest. You might feel feverish or reddening at the incision sites. To reduce infection risk, you may need to take antibiotics.
Another common complication is swelling after breast reconstruction. There may be some swelling (called oedema) in your breast, chest wall, and upper arm. The swelling will subside as your chest heals. You may feel a pulling sensation under your arms. To ease the discomfort, your surgeon may recommend anti-emetics. After surgery you may need to rest for several weeks before you can return to your regular activities.
Procedures
There are many surgical options available for breast reconstruction. Each type of procedure requires different preparation and recovery. The first phase of the procedure involves stretching the skin over the donor site. Once the area has healed, a silicone gel or saline-based implants are inserted. The surgeon then fills a tissue expander, which remains attached to the donor site, once a week or so. The tissue expander can burst during this phase and cause pain or infection. Once the implant has been placed it can be removed, reconstructed or rebuilt to restore the breast size and shape. TRAM flaps, which use tissue taken from the patient's abdomen in order to form a mound, are another type. These procedures can involve cutting of the abdominal muscles and fat, and may require additional sedation.
Although the actual procedure is very straightforward, the recovery period may take longer than expected. Some patients feel better within a few days. Others experience prolonged swelling and bruising that lasts for months. This may not be true for everyone. For this reason, a physical therapist or a counselor may be beneficial for patients. These people can assist the woman in their emotional and/or bodily recovery. The healthcare professional will also help the woman care for her breasts at their home.
Recovery time
While recovering from breast reconstruction surgery, patients should expect some post-operative pain. The pain will initially be intense for the first 24 hours but should decrease over time. Some people may require pain medication or muscle relaxants. Drainage tubes can be used occasionally to reduce swelling, and prevent fluid buildup. Patients may be allowed to resume daily activities like swimming or other strenuous exercises after the incisions have been repositioned.
The amount of time it takes to recover from breast reconstruction surgery is different for everyone. Many women can return to some light activity within four to six week of surgery. Some may need more time. You should not lift anything heavy, no matter what type of surgery you had. Breast reconstruction takes between two and six weeks to recover, while some patients may only need four weeks. For the first two week following breast reconstruction, it is recommended that you stay at the hospital for one or two days.