Recovery after breast reconstruction

After breast reconstruction surgery, you will probably be in hospital for several days. Your recovery from implant reconstruction or tissue flap reconstruction will continue at home. We explain what to expect in the first few days and weeks.

What to expect in hospital

After your operation, your healthcare team will look after you.
If the surgery is to change the tissue expander for an implant, you may only be in hospital for the day.

Wound care

You will have dressings on the reconstructed breast or breasts. If you have a tissue flap reconstruction, dressings will also cover the area the tissue was taken from.

A drain tube will take blood and fluid away from the wound into a bag or bottle.

After tissue flap reconstruction, your team will monitor you closely and keep you warm. This is to make sure the flap has a good blood supply and there is no swelling.

Pain relief and comfort

You’ll be offered pain relief to reduce pain and discomfort. Pain feels different from person to person.

Movement and exercise

The amount and type of movement you do depends on which reconstruction you have.  

Your team will tell you when to be out of bed and walking around. This helps you recover and reduces the risk of developing blood clots after surgery.

The physiotherapist or nurses will give you exercises to encourage shoulder movement and prevent shoulder stiffness. Your surgeon may also tell you how and when you can safely increase activity.

The first few weeks at home

You will probably have several appointments with your surgeon(s) and nurses to make sure you are recovering well after your surgery.

Wounds, stitches and scars

You may have stitches that dissolve on their own or need to be removed 7 to 10 days after surgery. Usually this happens in the follow-up appointment with your surgeon, nurse or GP.

When your dressings are removed, you will see scarring. These appear red at the start and will fade over time. Talk to your treating team about the best ways to manage scars.

Some people still have one or more drain tubes after they leave hospital. These may need to stay in place for 1 to 2 weeks. Nursing staff will tell you how to manage your drain at home. 

Physical feelings and emotions

Your reconstructed breast will have less sensation than the other breast. For many people this may be permanent.
You might have numbness and burning or pins and needles due to small nerves being cut during surgery. This feeling may improve over time.

You may experience a range of emotions after surgery. Support is available if you need it:

• Talk to your breast care nurse or doctors about how you are feeling.
• Connect with others who have had breast reconstruction surgery in our Online Network.
• Contact our Helpline on 1800 500 258.

Comfortable clothing

Your medical team may suggest you wear:

• a special medical supportive bra or crop top during the day and at night
• supportive underwear (shapewear) or compression garment (binder) to support the donor site such as your tummy or thigh.

They may also suggest you go 'natural', without clothing, for a period of time. Follow the advice they give you. 

Movement and exercise

Exercise after surgery can help your recovery. Your surgeon, physiotherapist or breast care nurse will show you safe exercises to improve flexibility and strengthen muscles. A program of Exercises before and after breast reconstruction can also help.

Note: After implant reconstruction, you need to limit how much you move your upper body. It is important to prevent your implant from moving while you heal.

Many people can return to exercise such as fast walking 6 to 8 weeks after breast reconstruction surgery. It takes longer for activities that use the upper body, such as tennis, swimming or playing a musical instrument. You may need 6 to 9 months of specific exercises to get back your strength and range of motion.

Side effects

After implant reconstruction, if you had lymph nodes removed you may experience different or extra side effects. We explain these in Surgery to the lymph nodes and armpit.