How long is recovery from expanders to implants?
Recovery Time You’ll probably be able to return to your usual activities in about 4-6 weeks. If you have a tissue expander removed and replaced with a permanent implant, recovery will take about 2 weeks.
How long does tissue expander pain last?
If an expander was placed, salt water (saline) or air was added to it to start stretching your skin. Right after the surgery, you will probably feel weak, and you may feel pain for 2 to 3 weeks.
How long will I be off work after a mastectomy with tissue expanders?
Regardless of the type of expander used, most patients can return to sedentary work around 3-4 weeks after surgery but heavy lifting and strenuous activity should still be avoided as instructed by your surgeon.
How long does pain last after mastectomy with tissue expanders?
You will be given pain relief tablets and can take them as required for the first one to two weeks. You may also feel some discomfort after each inflation of the tissue expander; this will generally only last 24 hours. Regular painkillers during this time may be helpful.
Do I need to wear a bra with tissue expanders?
Please do not wear an underwire bra. Please wear a “sports” bra for 24 hours a day for 21 days. You may remove the bra to shower. After 21 days please wear a bra for a minimum 12 hours a day to maintain the shape and position of the implants.
Do implants feel better than tissue expanders?
Once your implants are placed, you will likely feel more comfortable than you did with the tissue expander. Additional procedures including the creation of a nipple and areola, fat grafting, and scar revision are usually performed about 3 months after your implant is placed and the scar is healed.
Do you wear a bra with tissue expanders?
After 14 days you may remove the Surgical Bra and wear a “sports” type bra that will provide support and maintain the placement of the tissue expander. Please do not wear an underwire bra. Please wear a “sports” bra for 24 hours a day for 21 days. You may remove the bra to shower.
When do breast expanders stop hurting?
You may experience minor discomfort for the following 12 to 24 hours after each tissue expansion. This discomfort usually subsides 2 to 3 days after each tissue expansion. The tissue expander may shift after the 1st or 2nd expansion.
How long can tissue expanders be left in?
Once you are happy with your breast size, the tissue expander will be left in place for a few weeks for maximal tissue expansion. The earliest your reconstruction surgery can be performed is three weeks after your final expansion visit.
How do you make tissue expanders more comfortable?
One way that we make tissue expanders more comfortable is by using a product called AlloDerm® Tissue Matrix. AlloDerm acts like a hammock beneath the expander. This innovative, body-safe product covers the lower portion of the expander to help speed up the healing process.
Do expanders ever stop hurting?
What can go wrong with tissue expanders?
The most common concern is that the silicone expander used in the procedure will break or leak while it is in the body. While expanders are rigorously tested and placed with care, leaks do occur.
When do you remove the tissue expander for breast reconstruction?
Once you have finished the tissue expansion, the next stage of your breast reconstruction will be scheduled. This stage is the surgery to remove the tissue expander and place the permanent implant. This is called the exchange surgery. This surgery will be done 4 to 6 weeks after the expansion is completed so that your skin can rest.
How long does it take to recover from a tissue expander insertion?
For tissue expander insertion after having a previous mastectomy (delayed breast reconstruction) – day surgery (you will go home the same day as your surgery). How long will it take to recover? The average recovery for tissue expander insertion is 3 to 4 weeks.
How long is the hospital stay for breast reconstruction?
The usual hospital stay for breast reconstruction is less than 24 hours (1 day). About 4 to 8 weeks after the tissue expansion is finished, you’ll have a second surgery using the same incisions (surgical cuts) to remove the tissue expander and insert the permanent breast implant that you choose with your plastic surgeon.
When to return to work after breast reconstruction?
All the surgical sites should heal and the drains removed by week 3. Patient should be able to return to work by week 3 to 4. Stage 2 involves removal of tissue expander and placement of permanent implant.