Breast Lift and Reduction Recovery

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marie914
marie914 Member Posts: 165
edited November 2020 in Breast Reconstruction

Hello - I couldn't find this really answered just bits and pieces.

So in February 2021 (after I finish chemo in January and my implant fills have sat for 2 months), I will be having an exchange surgery where they exchange the expander with the implant on my left side.

I opted to keep my right breast even though it is saggy (60 years old) for a few reasons (easier recovery, just wanted one real breast, wanted to see what it was like, etc.). The PS wants to do a lift (which I want) and a reduction (which I don't want). I am a bigger woman so even the biggest implant probably won't match my right breast - which I am okay with. I do want a lift on that side though.

My real question when you get the exchange and then a lift on the one side - what is recovery like? Like a mastectomy or easier? I took two weeks off work for my left mastectomy and expander since I work remotely all the time at my laptop in my home office. Do you think I will need to take two weeks off again or maybe less time? I haven't had any problems with mastectomy or expanders being filled - I am at 650 now and she wants to fill another 100 next week and then I sit for two months and also waiting to recover and get cleared for surgery after my last chemo on January 6.

I didn't have to travel this year for work since COVID so I am just doing webcasts and work on projects at home. I am not tied to my laptop - my company is very understanding so I can stop during the day and take a nap or a walk if I don't have any meetings or webcasts scheduled.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2020

    Marie - I know the threads sort of old, but all of your issues are discussed in detail on the "EXCHANGE" thread. Yes, it would take some reading to dig it out, but - good thoughts.

    That said, I had a BMX so when I had the TEs exchanged it was both sides. And it as a breeze compared to mastectomy. I'm guessing (and it's just a guess) that a lift won't be anywhere near as bad as a mastectomy

    Your work conditions sound ideal. Do you have to apply for a set time? Or can you just say "two weeks" and come back early if you're feeling ready or postpone if you're not??.


  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited November 2020

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