Women and men can choose three different types of breast reconstruction. There is implant-based reconstruction. Another type is when a patient can choose to use a variety of skin flaps to rebuild their breasts. This is called autologous, using your own tissue, breast reconstruction. A combination of both autologous and implant-based reconstruction is sometimes chosen and performed after a mastectomy. Any of these type of breast reconstruction options requires time to heal, both emotionally and physically. Healing after breast reconstruction is a Journey.
The Unknowns
You don’t know what you don’t know. A patient can sit in an initial consult with their plastic surgeon with all their questions in hand. The hope is the consult is done in a shared decision-making fashion where both parties, the patient and plastic surgeon, listen carefully and with intent to each point of discussion then come to the best decision for the patient’s health and desired outcomes. The surgeon can outline what the healing process will be. Normally you are given a four to six-week window of recovery depending on the individual.
What you don’t know is how you will physically feel after incisions are made, implants are placed, tissue is moved from one part of the body to the other, and how this will affect your daily living. Your plastic surgeon cannot tell you. Only someone who has already been through the process can. I so value the strong voices of The Journey Facebook page sharing these details so positively and responsibly to help one another out.
The Breast Reconstruction Healing Journey from Hospital to Home
Those who decide to have breast reconstruction understandably think about these unknowns prior to surgery. Let’s take a look at the hospital stay first. Then we’ll tackle the first few weeks home. These are concerns I often hear. For most questions I will embed a link with resources to help answer the questions for the reader’s consideration. I am grateful in advance for all the resources I draw on here for the reader.
Healing in Hospital After Breast Reconstruction
- Will I be in pain and what is the recovery in hospital?
- How soon will I be able to get out of bed and walk?
- Will I ever regain sensation in my newly reconstructed breasts?
- What kind of bras and garments will I have to use after surgery?
- What should I take to the hospital?
- How will my surgical drains be managed, and can I do it myself?
- If my nipples aren’t saved during surgery, do I have options to rebuild them or have them tattooed?
Healing at Home After Breast Reconstruction
- How soon will I be able to return to work?
- Will I need help at home and for how long?
- I was so happy to have breast reconstruction? What if I feel down after surgery?
- I have a pet at home. Should I have them boarded the first couple of weeks home? My personal advice, if the dog tends to jump, needs lots of care, is large, then YES!
- Will I be able to snuggle or hold my children after surgery?
- When can I drive?
- How soon can I return to my physical activities I did before breast reconstruction?
The planning stages of any type of breast reconstruction involve the patient in a complex web of thoughts and decisions. We would love to hear your questions, concerns and your own personal stories knowing healing after breast reconstruction is a Journey.
