How difficult is the recovery from DIEP flap surgery?
Healing and recovery after DIEP flap breast reconstruction can be significantly easier than most patients think. With the implementation of ERAS Protocols, most patients experience little discomfort after surgery, require little if any narcotics, and can be discharged from the hospital after 3 days or less.
How long does it take for swelling to go down after DIEP flap surgery?
The majority of swelling will subside in 3-4 weeks, but some swelling may persist for up to 3 months.
Is TRAM flap surgery painful?
As with any abdominal surgery, you may find that it’s difficult or painful to sit down or get up from a sitting position. It also might be hard to get in and out of bed. Your doctor or physical therapist can show you how to use other muscles to compensate until your abdominal muscles heal.
What are the side effects of flap surgery?
Some of these risks are covered below.
- Loss of the flap. Blood vessels supplying the flap may kink or get clots, leading to bleeding and a loss of circulation.
- Problems with the donor site. After having an abdominal flap reconstruction, some women find it takes a while for the wound to heal.
- Hernia (abdominal bulge)
How long are teeth sensitive after gum surgery?
This usually starts two to four days after the surgery and lasts for about three to four days. Your bite reflex will sense this and you may unconsciously clench to reposition your teeth. If you already have the habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, this can become especially uncomfortable.
How long do you stay in the hospital after DIEP flap surgery?
For a DIEP flap, you usually stay in the hospital for about 5 days. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow for your recovery.
When can you sleep on your side after having DIEP flap surgery?
You can begin to sleep on your side again two weeks after breast reconstruction surgery. However, stomach sleeping is still not permitted at the two-week mark. You must wait four weeks before you can sleep on your stomach. At this time, you are fine to sleep in any normal positions that you find comfortable.
What are some of the complications for tram surgery?
What are possible complications from TRAM breast reconstruction?
- Fat necrosis/partial flap loss (5-15%)
- Complete loss of TRAM tissue (< 1%)
- Umbilical necrosis (10-20%)
- Seroma (fluid collection, usually in abdominal donor site)
- Hematoma (bleeding at chest or abdomen)
- Infection.
- Hernia (1-5%)
How long is hospital stay after DIEP flap surgery?
For a DIEP flap, you usually stay in the hospital for about 5 days. Your doctor will give you specific instructions to follow for your recovery. For detailed information on how to care for the dressings, stitches, staples, and surgical drains, visit the Mastectomy: What to Expect page.