Recovery Time for a Mastectomy

A mastectomy is an operation that involves the removal of a breast or both breasts. This can be done partially or completely.

Hospital Stay

Patients typically stay one to three days in the hospital after a mastectomy. The length of time of the stay depends on the type of procedure and if there were complications.

Breast Reconstruction

A longer hospital stay may be required if the mastectomy include breast reconstruction.

Stitches

Seven to 10 days after the procedure, the stitches, which are typically placed underneath the skin, are removed.

Physical Recovery

A patient should expect a full recovery to be three to six weeks, depending on any complications such as infection.

Emotional Recovery

A mastectomy is an extremely intrusive procedure that may lead to depression and anxiety. These conditions can take months if not years to overcome for patients who have gone through the procedure.

References

• Medhelp.com