How long your recovery takes will depend on your age, general health and the type of surgery you had.
Learn more about ways to look after yourself, including exercises.
 | RestWhen you get home from hospital, you will need to take things easy for the first few weeks. Ask family and friends to help you with chores so you can rest. |
 | DrivingYou will probably need to avoid driving for 4–6 weeks after surgery. Discuss this timing with your breast surgeon. |
 | LiftingAvoid repetitive arm movement (e.g. hanging out washing, vacuuming), heavy lifting (more than 5 kg, so this may include shopping bags) and activities that strain your arm. You can gradually return to your usual activities after 4–8 weeks. |
 | Tummy problemsAfter abdominal flap surgery, you may have weaker abdominal muscles. Get up from a low chair or sit up in bed carefully. Wearing supportive underwear will help. If the weakness continues after 6 weeks, ask your doctor for a referral to a physiotherapist or an exercise physiologist for an exercise program. |
 | Loose clothingUntil the area is healed, wear loose-fitting comfortable clothing. |
 | Follow-up appointmentsContinue to see the specialist who performed the reconstruction until your body has healed. |
→ READ MORE: Costs and financial assistance for breast reconstruction
Key resource
Download a PDF booklet on this topic.
More resources
Dr Jane O’Brien, Specialist Oncoplastic Breast Cancer Surgeon, St Vincent’s Private Hospital, VIC; Clare Bradshaw, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Breast Assessment Unit, Fiona Stanley Hospital, WA; Rene Hahn, Consumer; Sinead Hanley, Consumer; Dr Marc Langbart, Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Randwick Plastic Surgery, NSW; Melanie Law, Consumer; Sally Levy, Consumer; Annmaree Mitchell, Consumer; Ashleigh Mondolo, Breast Cancer Nurse Clinical Consultant, Mater Private Hospital Brisbane, QLD; Rochelle Osgood, Clinical Nurse Consultant – McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, QLD: Dr Kallyani Ponniah, Head of Department, Breast Centre, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, WA; Meg Rynderman OAM, Consumer; Sarah Stewart, Breast Care Nurse, The Royal Women’s Hospital, VIC; Erin Tidball, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Jane Turner, Senior Exercise Physiologist, Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre, Concord Cancer Centre, NSW.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
