If cancer has grown beyond the point of just removing the malignant tissue, a mastectomy might be warranted. With modern advancements in tissue and breast reconstruction, our surgeons can restore your breast to look nearly the same as they did pre-mastectomy. This is accomplished using a combination of breast augmentation and breast lift procedures, and can often be performed during mastectomy.
During the first day after the surgery, there will be some soreness, swelling, and potential bruising. These will quickly fade and are temporary. The initial pain during this time will also subside. Roughly a week after the surgery, you will have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon to ensure everything is healing. By this time, most of the acute pain should have subsided, with only minor aches remaining.
Around 4 weeks after the surgery, most if not all of the pain should have subsided. There may still be some bruising and swelling, but this is only temporary and will diminish as the deeper areas in the breasts continue to heal. Up to this point, you should refrain from strenuous activity and lifting objects over your head. During this time, stability and protection of your chest is important to achieving successful results.
About 6 weeks after your surgery, the pain and swelling should be gone. Most patients report seeing the final result around this time, and normal activities can resume. You should expect to meet with your surgeon one last time after this to make sure everything healed properly.
If you want to hear more about breast reconstruction surgery, contact the doctors at American Surgical Arts Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Mullica Hill, NJ, at 856-362-8898 or visit www.americansurgicalarts.com to schedule a consultation today. The expert medical staff will work with you to develop a treatment plan that provides the longest-lasting results, bringing you the confidence that might have been lost following a mastectomy.