After Surgery

Most often, you will be able to home on the day of your surgery or the day after your surgery.

If you had drains placed, you will be taught how to empty and care for them prior to leaving the hospital. To learn more, click HERE to go to Drain Care.
You may or may not be given a prescription for antibiotics. This typically depends on whether there are drains placed with implant-based reconstruction. This is something that is discussed with your doctor.
If you had a tissue expander placed, you may only have a small volume of fluid in the expander after surgery. Usually, your surgeon will begin to fill the expander 2-3 weeks after surgery, and then on a weekly basis.
Immediately after surgery, you might feel ripples or ridges from the unfilled expander. This is normal and will smooth out with gradual fills.

Most often, this surgery requires 4-5 days admission in the hospital.
Immediately after surgery you will notice that you will be given oxygen, and have an IV in place to support you with fluids.

On the first day following your surgery, you will mostly be taking it easy. Some typical goals for the first 1-2 days include:
- Removal of Urinary (Foley) Catheter
- Transfer from bed to chair
- Monitoring pain and keeping it under control
An important part of post-surgery for a “flap” tissue reconstruction involves regular “flap checks.” This involves monitoring the reconstruction to make sure the blood supply is maintained. Usually this is done every hour during the first day, so be prepared to be woken up regularly.
Over the first few days, the nurses will help you to start walking (often starting a little hunched over).
Within 4-5 days, most women feel well enough to go home, are able to eat and drink normally, and may have some drains removed prior to discharge. (See Drain Care link)
You will most likely be prescribed a blood thinner to take even after discharge for a short amount of time. Your surgeon will prescribe this before you leave hospital.