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 be scheduled for follow-up visits with Dr. Parva. Additionally, you will be given instructions regarding postoperative care. To discuss your experience and receive updates, call the office as directed. Breast reconstruction recovery can take up to two weeks. However, you won't experience any complications.
Post-operative care
You can do a wide range of activities post-operatively for breast reconstruction. You can return to your regular activities after your stitches are removed. However, it is best to avoid strenuous activity. You can tell your caregiver what you do normally and make plans around it. Walking can be resumed right after surgery, but driving and housework cannot be done until your drain is removed. After six weeks, you can start exercising again. However, your first visit to your provider is required to discuss your exercise levels.
After surgery, you will have a thick dressing applied to the area to reduce swelling. The dressing will be removed in about a week, although it might stay put for a longer time. Some surgeons use wound drainage to drain blood and fluid into small bags or bottles. These drains can be removed but will require care. You will receive a few additional days of care after the surgery.
The symptoms
It is possible that you will need to spend up to a week in the hospital after breast reconstruction. 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. During this time, you may experience fever, increased redness, and drainage from the incision site. To minimize the possibility of infection, you might need to take antibiotics.
Another problem that can occur after breast reconstruction is swelling. Oedema is a condition that causes swelling in the breasts, chest wall and upper arm. As your chest heals, the swelling will lessen over time. You may feel a pulling sensation under your arms. Your surgeon may prescribe anti-emetics to help you deal with this discomfort. You may need to take several weeks off work after your surgery to be able to resume normal activities.
Procedures
There are many different types of surgical procedures for breast reconstruction. Each type of procedure requires different preparation and recovery. The first phase involves the stretching of the skin over a donor area. Once the area looks ready, a siliconegel or salinebased implant can be inserted. The surgeon then fills a tissue expander, which remains attached to the donor site, once a week or so. During this phase, the tissue expander may rupture, resulting in pain and infection. The implant can be removed and reconstructed after it is placed. This will restore the breast shape and size. Other types of procedures include TRAM flap procedures, which utilize tissue from the patient's abdomen to create a mound. These procedures might require additional sedation, as they may involve cutting the abdominal muscles or fat.
Although the procedure itself is easy, the recovery time can be longer than expected. Patients may feel better after just a few days. However, some suffer from prolonged swelling and bruising that can last for months. This is not necessarily the case for all patients. For this reason, a physical therapist or a counselor may be beneficial for patients. These individuals can help the woman through her emotional and physical recovery. The healthcare professional can also provide guidance on how to care and maintain their breasts at the home.
Time to recover
Patients who have had breast reconstruction should be prepared for some pain after the procedure. The pain will initially be intense for the first 24 hours but should decrease over time. They may need to take pain medication or muscle relaxants. To reduce swelling and prevent fluid buildup, drainage tubes might be placed. After the incisions have been removed, patients may be able to return to daily activities, such as swimming or other strenuous activities.
Everyone is different and will need to take different time to heal from breast surgery. Many women can return to some light activity within four to six week of surgery. Some may need more time. Depending on your procedure, it may be necessary to avoid lifting heavy objects until your doctor allows you to do so. Breast reconstruction requires two to six weeks of recovery, but some patients may only need as long as four. For the first two week following breast reconstruction, it is recommended that you stay at the hospital for one or two days.