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FOR PATIENTS · SOURCE READING

How long before I can return to normal activities?

Source: Choosing Between a Lumpectomy and Mastectomy, National Cancer Institute.

Source updated: December 2, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.

Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary. Independent clinical review is pending.

NCI patient treatment article for this disease Exact source article; not a clinically reviewed indication or current-standard recommendation.

Context: Choosing Between a Lumpectomy and Mastectomy / Compare lumpectomy and mastectomy / Questions about recovering from breast cancer surgery

Source table; cell spans preserved from the original.
Lumpectomy or other breast-conserving surgeryMost women are ready to return to most of their usual activities within 2 weeks.
MastectomyIt may take 3 to 4 weeks to feel mostly normal after a mastectomy.
Mastectomy with reconstructionYour recovery will depend on the type of reconstruction you have. It can take 6 to 8 weeks or longer to fully recover from a mastectomy that is followed by breast reconstruction.

Preserved source evidence · Independent clinical review pending · Not medical advice