How long will it take for my breast to feel less hard?

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Hi,
I had mty tram flap reconstruction 4 weeks ago. I went to see my PS last week who said my bruising was the worst she’d seen but gave me no advice about reducing bruising or how long it was likely to feel hard and heavy. Feeling quite fed up as a week later my breast is stll big, hard and heavy feeling. I wondered if others could give me an idea of how long this might last and any tips about speeding up recovery. Thanks.

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I AM LOOKING FOR ADVICE .IM 43 I HAVE
INVASIVE DUCTAL CARCINOMA GRADE 2 .
I HAD CHEMO MASTECTROMY AND RADIO NOW ON TAMOXIFEN.
I AM GOING FOR RECONSTRUCTION ON MY RIGHT BREAST ,
THEY SAID THEY WILL TAKE MY BELLY AWAY AND USE IT .
CAN ANYONE HEL THEY HAVE SCARED ME SO BAD AND IM SO CONFUSED WITH IT ALL . I DONT WHAT IT MEANS REALLY , ANY HEL WOULD BE AMAZING THANKS ANITA X

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Hi,

i had my ld flap 18 months ago, the Bc told me to give it al least 12 months for it to settle in, well I can say now that ti feels like a real boob, its soft and now moves when i do it looks and feels very , very real

take care x

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whoops meant it not tit got them on the brain now

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Hi Anita,

Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care Discussion Forums. While you’re waiting for replies to your post I thought it might be helpful to post a link to BCC’s publication called ‘Breast Reconstruction’ and also a link to some short animation clips on the BCC site showing the different methods of breast reconstruction:

Breast Reconstruction Booklet:
breastcancercare.org.uk/upload/pdf/bcc_reconstruction_v4_FINAL.pdf

Animated clips:
breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-breast-health/treatment-side-effects/surgery/reconstruction/breast-reconstruction-an-animated-guide/

If it would help to talk to someone in confidence please do also remember that the BCC Helpline is here for you, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm, Tel 0808 800 6000

I hope this is helpful.
With best wishes,
Anna, BCC Facilitator

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Hi, Anita
I was really scared after my pre-op meeting. Experience in hospital for the first few days is pretty awful but actually not as bad as I imagined. I’m just finding the weeeks of not doing much go slowly.
I was in hospital for 5 days after my op. Good luck with it.

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Thanks for comment about breast settling down-just hoping bruising will be better before a year!