What's the Average Recovery Time of Breast Reconstruction for a Mastectomy?

This varies a lot depending on what procedures have been done before, and whether any complications have been present in the area.  Four to six weeks and out to 8 weeks is not uncommon to have activities altered due to surgery and recovery.

Recovery after breast reconstruction can vary depending on what type of reconstruction you have. Typically, if a tissue expander is placed at the time of mastectomy you will have drains in for 1-2 weeks, then the expansion process can begin, which is usually a weekly expansion for 4-5 weeks. During the expansion process the patient will have limited activity restrictions. Then the final step is the exchange surgery which is an outpatient surgery, the incision heals and about a week after surgery the patient is beginning to get back to most normal activities.

It is extremely variable. If the mastectomy is performed first followed by the recon then two separate recovery periods. I would assume each would be around 4-6 weeks. If done at the same time then 4-6 weeks only.

This varies a little depending on whether you are having an silicone implant reconstruction or one using your own tissue from elsewhere.  The implant reconstructions tend to have a slightly shorter recovery.  The operations take 2-4hrs and most people stay in hospital for at least a night.  After that you'll be home, pottering around the house, making yourself some food and ok getting in and out of the shower, but you'll probably want some help with the shopping and heavy housework for the first couple of weeks.  You should be back to doing pretty much everything you usually do by 4 weeks and feel virtually back to normal by 6-8 weeks, although you'll still probably get the odd twinge.  Your new breast will still take some time to get used to.
With tissue reconstructions the operations take 3-6hrs and usually involve at least a couple of nights in hospital.  You'll then have two sore areas whilst you are recovering: your new breast reconstruction and wherever your surgeon has taken the tissue from.  Whilst you'll be at home doing and recovering in a similar way to the implant patients, because you have discomfort in two areas rather than one you'll be a bit slower to get back to normal.  It will probably take you around 8 weeks, but for the first couple of weeks in particular you'll need a bit more help around the house.  
If you have any complications such as wound healing problems this might be slowed down a bit, although most of this has usually resolved within the same time frame.  Good luck with it all!

Depending on the option of reconstruction chosen:
Implants - above the muscle 2 - 3 weeks
Implants - below the muscle 3 - 4 weeks
Using your own tissue (DIEP/TUG/LAT) - 6 weeks
These are rough guidelines and each patient is different on how much discomfort/pain they have. Usually longer healing time the more incisions you have...

Recovery time after mastectomy depends on the type of breast reconstruction you undergo, and can vary by the patient depending on the overall status of your health and whether you've undergone a bilateral or unilateral mastectomy.
For patients who have had a tissue expander placed or who have done a direct-to-implant reconstruction following mastectomy, I typically recommend 4 weeks off work. If your job is very physically demanding, then 6 weeks may be more appropriate. 
For patients who have undergone a living tissue reconstruction, such as a DIEP flap reconstruction, I also recommend 4 weeks off work. For older patients, those with higher BMIs, or those with a poor overall health status, 6 weeks is definitely more appropriate. For those with physically demanding jobs, such as nurses, childcare workers, gym instructors, or policewomen, up to 8 weeks off work may be appropriate.

Breast reconstruction recovery can depend on the type of reconstruction performed- generally, implant based breast reconstruction will have a recovery time of about 4 weeks.  When using your own tissue (either from the abdomen or the back) recovery time increases to approximtely 6 weeks-- keeping in mind other patient medical conditions, prior radiation treatment may cause healing time to increase... best of luck

Thank you for your question. This obviously depends very much on which type of procedure is undertaken. The anticipated recovery period may play a part in your decision as to which method of reconstruction is best for you. Your surgeon will give you details on what to expect after your breast. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeonHoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago

Recovery is a process that takes several weeks following mastectomies with immediate reconstruction.  This timeframe may be as short as 6 weeks for implant-based reconstruction and more commonly 8 weeks for autologous tissue reconstruction.

The amount of time required for recovery for breast reconstruction is going to vary greatly depending on the type of breast reconstruction.  I tell all of my patients it is going to take 9 months to a year from the initial mastectomy until the final reconstruction is complete.   Patients can return to work within 2-3 weeks of each operation, but for some types of reconstruction there can be several stages.   Talk to your boar certified plastic surgeon to determine which type of reconstruction is best for you and the recovery associated with that type of reconstruction.

There are so many variables it is hard to say.  Implant based reconstruction will take 3 weeks before you start expanding. Then expansion every 2 weeks for a couple months.  Flap reconstruction (DIEP or TRAM) typically you will have a couple weeks to recover (likely a faster with a DIEP).Rodger Shortt, MDPlastic Surgeon Oakville