Breast reconstruction is a common form of surgery that aims to rebuild and reshape breasts to look natural after an accident, mastectomy, or lumpectomy. And for either reason, you may know less about what awaits before, during, and after the procedure. However, you have nothing to worry about. Here are a few tips for an incredible breast reconstruction experience.
Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
Professional surgeons will provide you with pieces of advice to help you at any step of the way. For instance, Dr. Joel Aronowitz will prescribe natural and narcotic pain relievers to help you cope with after-surgery pain and discomfort, easing your healing journey. Sticking to your doctor’s prescriptions and instructions will, in turn, increase your recovery rate. Further, inform your doctor of any abnormal changes around the affected area.
Prepare for Your Hospital Stay
After the breast reconstruction procedure, you can expect to stay for a few days in the hospital. Even though you’re spending one night or staying longer, you’ll need to pack comfortable clothing before the surgery. Also, pack your items like a comb, washcloths, toothbrush, toothpaste, headband, soap, and hair ties for freshening up. You can customize and draft a packing list checklist to avoid forgetting essential items at home.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
After the operation, it’ll take time to regain your physical strength and endurance. However, your activity level will gradually return to normal if you follow the doctor’s advice. Therefore, as a basic rule, keep away from exercises straining your upper body, like walking long distances, jogging, body conditioning, heavy lifting, and contact sports for a few weeks after the surgery. Remember to talk to your aftercare specialist before resuming these strenuous activities.
Seek Emotional Help
Most women find it hard to accept and adjust after their breast surgery. They battle with a range of emotional instability, especially if they’re dealing with other effects of breast. cancer For this reason, you need to connect with a network of women who’ve had the same surgery. Their success stories will motivate you and keep your hope alive. On the other hand, talk to your friends, relatives, or professionals to help you cope with your feelings.
Be Patient
Unlike the breast reconstruction procedure, recovery doesn’t happen overnight. Surgeries can be traumatic; the body can take longer to stabilize and heal. For example, bruising takes up to eight weeks, during which the breast will keep changing. While at it, make realistic expectations about breast reconstruction for fast healing. However, the results depend on age, anatomy, general health, and breast cancer treatment plans.
Inquire About the Best Reconstruction Option
Various factors affect the breast reconstruction type that fits your needs- tissue (flap), implant reconstruction, or both. These criteria include age, health, breast size and shape, past surgeries, surgical risk factors, smoking history, obesity, expected results, and more. Further, weigh each type’s benefits and possible implications for prior planning.
Before and after breast reconstruction, you must initiate some things and stop others for satisfactory results. The above tips will help you streamline the process until you return to your everyday life after the procedure.
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