Breast Reconstruction
Most breast reconstruction operations require at least an overnight stay in the hospital. Some of the more extensive procedures require 3 to 5 days in the hospital.
During the early recovery, there will be drain tubes in place to take away any fluid buildup in the spaces that were created during reconstruction. Pain is managed with a combination of intravenous medications as well as oral medications and sometimes pumps that deliver local anesthetic agents to the surgery site.
For patients that use their own tissue for the reconstruction there may be more extensive weight limitations required for successful healing of the origins of these tissues used for the breast reconstruction. All of these issues will be explained at the initial evaluation visit.