What to Expect During and After Breast Reconstruction Surgery for Breast Cancer. The Operation, Hospital Stay, and Care of Your New Breasts. The Operation and the Expected Hospital Stay.
Reconstruction begins with admission to the hospital on the day of surgery.
Photographs will usually be taken at this time if they have not been prior to this point. After surgery patients spend 2 to 6 hours in the recovery room. Most patients, though, can be transferred from the recovery room to a regular hospital room for a stay of between 2 and 6 days. After surgery patients have pain and discomfort from the breast surgery and from the donor site. Medication is used to control the pain and most women feel well enough to walk after just a few days.