In general, you can expect to leave hospital about 24 to 48 hours after your surgery. In some cases, reconstructions require a surgical drain to remove excess fluids from the area that was operated upon. These are typically removed within the first week or two after surgery. Most stitches are removed after about 14 days.
You’ll need someone to take you home after each operation, as you won’t be able to drive. Initially, your breasts may be firm and swollen. You may have some dressings around your breasts and a surgical bra or elasticised bandage depending on your surgeon’s preference.
There are several things you need to do and keep in mind after the reconstruction of your breast has been completed. First of all, you should consult your surgeon about the need for a medical follow-up or any complications or adverse effects of the implant or flap surgery and for further instructions concerning the first months after breast reconstruction.
You need to inform your physician or surgeon of the presence of an implant or flap in case that any type of surgical or diagnostic procedure of the breast area is planned. You should also consult your surgeon or the pharmacist before the use of topical medicines (e.g. steroids) in the breast area. Most importantly, you should consult a physician if you suspect any complication, especially in case of a trauma or compression of the breast caused, for example, by extreme massaging, by some sporting activities or by a seat belt during an accident. It is recommended that you carry your patient card/implant card with you at all times to facilitate medical care in case of an emergency (e.g. a traffic accident).
You need to continue to consult a physician to carry out normal checks in order to detect possible recurrences of breast cancer. If a mammography is scheduled, you need to inform the radiologist (the doctor reviewing the x-rays) in order to adapt the mammographic procedure. This is necessary, because the presence of an implant or flap can influence the result of mammography and other diagnostic techniques. Even self examination/manual examination of the breast, which you should carry out on a regular basis, is more difficult after breast reconstruction.
If you have a breast implant, mammography might be more difficult to evaluate, because the implant shows up on the X-ray as a dense shadow. It is important that you inform the radiographer (person taking the x-rays) that you have breast implants before mammography as special techniques will need to be used to get the best possible views of the breast tissue. Nevertheless, several studies demonstrated that women with breast implants had no increased risk of breast cancer being discovered at later stages than other women.
Breast reconstruction may significantly impact on your ability to breastfeed. Please ask your surgeon for more information.
While reconstructive surgery can't restore normal sensation lost during mastectomy, some feeling may return over time. Andmost scars from reconstruction surgery may fade considerably following your surgery, traces of the original procedure may remain visible.
Your implant/expander operation may take between 1 and 2 hours and will be carried out under a general anaesthetic. The anaesthetic may make you feel quite tired; however, it is usual to be out of bed later the same day and to be discharged home on the following day.
You will have a dressing on your new breast, the type will vary depending upon your surgeon and operation, as will the need to have it changed and removed. You may also have drainage tubes at the site of your operation. These are positioned to drain off any excess blood or fluid and will be removed after a few days.
It is likely that you will feel sore and have some pain following your operation. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication to manage this pain.
Your surgeon or breast care nurse will advise you on the type of bra to wear to support your new breast following the operation. They can also guide you on how to approach stretching, bending, and lifting during the healing process.
It is important to look out for the signs of infection. Contact your surgeon or breast care nurse immediately if you notice your breast becoming red, excessively swollen, hot to the touch or if you feel feverish. You could also experience a build up of fluid in the area. Small amounts of fluid may resolve on its own, but larger amounts may need to be addressed by your surgeon in clinic.
Applying moisturiser to the area and may improve the healing process and the condition of the skin. Please consult with your surgeon or breast care nurse about this.
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