Hospital stay length from Bilat MX w expanders

Jnnmn7

Hi, wondering how long a typical stay is. Also curious how long til you were out of pain and back to work?

SpecialK

Usually one night, sometimes two. I spent two nights because my surgery was late in the day and I had a paravertebral block that was not removed until late the next day - not sure how pain control was going to go, so I spent a second night and was released early the next morning - so I was there from late Monday to early Wednesday. Some docs actually do this surgery as an outpatient procedure but my insurance required an overnight stay at the minimum. I think most return to work anywhere between 4-6 weeks - depends on pain (which is often more from the expanders than the mastectomy) and the need for pain meds, and if you can safely drive.

EastcoastTS

I spent one night in the hospital. I had great short-term disability, so was off perhaps longer than I really had to be. But I would say that Special K's recommendation of 4-6 weeks sounds about right. It's just a process, moving through the steps of recovery, and you'll need time to rest. I think I started driving after about 3 weeks. You will need to be off pain meds for that to occur. But there was still pain (manageable) from the tissue expanders. They are doable but I wonder how much of what I felt back then was those puppies versus actual mastectomy. If that makes sense!

Good luck. Sending warm thoughts your way.

Gully

One night for me as well!