Double mastectomy recovery: What to know
A double mastectomy is the surgical removal of both breasts. In
addition to physically recovering from the surgery, people undergoing a
double mastectomy will need to consider their emotional recovery in the
weeks and months that follow the procedure.According to research, approximately 17 percent of women with early-stage breast cancer undergo this type of surgery.
The recovery time from a double mastectomy can vary from person to person, but it typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Some surgeries involve removing the breast tissue but saving the
nipple, while others remove the whole breast. More radical mastectomies
also remove chest muscle and, rarely, the lymph nodes.
Many women also undergo breast reconstruction, which can add additional time and complexity to their recovery.
In this article, we provide information and tips on recovering from a double mastectomy.