Breast reconstruction also can be done many months or even years after mastectomy or lumpectomy. During reconstruction, a plastic surgeon creates a breast shape using an artificial implant (implant reconstruction), a flap of tissue from another place on your body (autologous reconstruction), or both.
The mastectomy and breast reconstruction will leave areas of numbness where the surgery was done. Instead of pain where the tissue was taken, you may feel numbness and tightness. In time, some feeling may return to your breasts. Most scars will fade over time.
Moreover, How long do you have to wait for breast reconstruction?
Some surgeons advise patients to wait until after radiation and chemotherapy are finished before having reconstruction. This means reconstruction might be done 6 to 12 months after mastectomy or lumpectomy. Reconstruction also can be done years later if desired.
Secondly, How long does pain last after breast reconstruction?
Recovering after reconstruction surgery. You’re likely to feel tired and sore for a week or 2 after implant surgery, or longer after a flap procedure (which will leave you with 2 surgical wounds). Your doctor will give you medicines to help control pain and other discomfort.
Simply so, What is the best reconstruction after mastectomy?
Implant and flap surgery are the two major types of breast reconstruction. Flaps make use of a woman’s own tissue to reconstruct the breast. Flaps offer a larger, softer breast. The best candidates for implants tend to be smaller, thinner women.
How long does breast reconstruction with expanders take?
The surgery to take out the tissue expander and insert the permanent implant takes about 1 hour for each side. If a matching procedure is done on your other breast to make it match the shape and size of your reconstructed breast, it takes more time.
19 Related Question Answers Found
Is breast reconstruction surgery painful?
The mastectomy and breast reconstruction will leave areas of numbness where the surgery was done. Instead of pain where the tissue was taken, you may feel numbness and tightness. In time, some feeling may return to your breasts.
Can you have reconstruction after mastectomy?
Surgery to reconstruct the breasts can be done (or started) at the time of the mastectomy (which is called immediate reconstruction) or it can be done after the mastectomy incisions have healed and breast cancer therapy has been completed (which is called delayed reconstruction).
Is Diep Flap same as tummy tuck?
Incision Pattern: The surgical incision made to the lower abdomen is quite similar for both DIEP flap surgery and a Tummy Tuck. However, the DIEP flap is a more invasive procedure: the blood vessels (“perforators”) that keep the DIEP flap skin and fat alive travel just beneath or within the abdominal muscle.
Is breast reconstruction a major surgery?
Recovery. Breast reconstruction is major surgery. A person can expect to spend several days in the hospital after both implant reconstruction and flap reconstruction. People may need more than one surgery to fully reconstruct the breast(s).
How long does breast reconstruction surgery take?
How Long Does Breast Reconstruction Surgery Take? Preparation for the procedure, including anesthesia, may take 2 hours. The reconstruction will take 1 to 6 hours. After the surgery, you’ll spend about 2 to 3 hours in recovery before being transferred to a hospital room.
How long does it take to recover from a Diep Flap?
The recovery time for flap reconstruction is four to six weeks to resume most normal activities. You will be sore for about a week or two and then begin to improve every day.
How painful is DIEP flap surgery?
Although the DIEP flap procedure is more invasive and requires a longer surgery than traditional (subpectoral) tissue expander/implant reconstruction, DIEP flap patients experience less pain for a couple of reasons: Minimal muscle trauma.
How should I sleep after breast reconstruction surgery?
The best position for safe sleeping after breast augmentation surgery is on your back with your upper body slightly elevated. This position, typically achieved by sleeping in a recliner or with a stack of pillows, can reduce breast swelling and soreness.
How long does reconstructive breast surgery take?
How Long Does Breast Reconstruction Surgery Take? Preparation for the procedure, including anesthesia, may take 2 hours. The reconstruction will take 1 to 6 hours. After the surgery, you’ll spend about 2 to 3 hours in recovery before being transferred to a hospital room.
Who is a good candidate for DIEP flap surgery?
Patients who have failed implant reconstruction, whether they have implants or tissue expanders in place, are often great candidates for DIEP flap breast reconstruction.
Can you sleep on your side with tissue expanders?
The Best Sleeping Positions if You Have Tissue Expanders During the first two weeks after your expander placement, you should sleep on your back. After two weeks, you can continue sleeping on your back or begin sleeping on your side. Some women find that cradling a pillow makes side-sleeping more comfortable.
How long does it take to recover from breast reconstruction surgery?
Most women can start to get back to normal activities within 6 to 8 weeks. If implants are used without flaps, your recovery time may be shorter. Some things to keep in mind: Reconstruction does not restore normal feeling to your breast, but some feeling may return over a period of years.
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