Menu:
What Is Breast Reconstruction?
One of the most worthwhile surgical procedures available today is breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure to bring back the appearance of a breast for women who have had a breast removed (mastectomy) to treat breast cancer. The surgery rebuilds the breast contour and, if desired, the nipple and areola. Most women who have had a mastectomy can have reconstruction. The ultimate goal of reconstruction is to restore symmetry between the two breasts. Although the reconstructed breast will not have natural sensation, the surgery can give a great result that looks like a breast.
Reconstruction -for whom?
The decision to have breast reconstruction is a matter of individual choice. New approaches in treatment as well as advances in reconstructive surgery mean that women who have breast cancer today have new choices.
- Most women who have had a mastectomy can have reconstruction. Women who have had lumpectomy usually do not need reconstruction. The best contenders, however, are women whose cancer seems to have been eliminated by mastectomy.
Why reconstruction:
Women choose breast reconstruction for different reasons. The goals of reconstruction are:
- To make breasts look balanced when you are wearing a bra, that is, to restore anatomy and symmetry.
- To permanently regain your breast contour.
- To give the convenience of not needing an external artificial extension.
- Psychological benefits as well. It can help promote a sense of wellness, self-confidence for you and your family.
Reconstructive breast surgery does not interfere with future treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or detection of recurrent breast cancer. It also does not increase the risk of recurrence of the breast cancer.
How the reconstruction is done?
Several types of operations can be used to reconstruct a breast. You can have a newly formed breast with the use of a breast implant, your own tissue flap, or a combination of the two. A tissue flap is a section of skin, fat, and muscle, which is shifted from your own tummy, back, or any other area of your body to the chest area.
Timing of reconstructive surgery is based on the patient's desire, medical conditions and stage of cancer treatment. Usually plastic surgeons encourage women to begin breast reconstruction at the same time they are having their mastectomy as it reduces the trauma of having a breast removed as well as the discomfort of two major operations. It is also possible to do the reconstruction months or years after a mastectomy.
For most patients, breast reconstruction requires from one to three surgical procedures.
- The first procedure is complex and involves creation of the breast mound or breast shape. The tissue expander (a small balloon) is placed beneath the chest muscle.
- Full expansion with saline occurs after about six weeks.
- At the next stage, the tissue expander is exchanged for a permanent breast implant to match the opposite breast, and the nipple-areola is reconstructed, too.
Recovery time is usually six to eight weeks. Risks of bleeding or infection are possible. It may take as long as 1 to 2 years for tissues to completely heal and for scars to fade, but the scars never go away entirely. The shape of your reconstructed breast will gradually improve over the months following the reconstruction.
And your appearance and quality of life will also take a fresh new turn.