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What is breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstructionis a type of surgery for women who have had a breast removed. Various techniques are used to recreate the breast mound and then the nipple. The surgery rebuilds the breast to match the unaffected side or recreate both sides. The nipple and areola (the darker area around the nipple) can also be added, usually at a later shorter surgery. Most women who have had a mastectomy can have reconstruction. Patients with a lumpectomy can also be candidates if the lumpectomy was deforming.
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Why have breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction helps restoring the feeling of woman-hood by makingtheir breasts look balanced when they are wearing a bra, permanently regaining their breast contour.
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When should I consider Breast Reconstruction: Immediate or Later?
Immediate reconstruction is done at the same time as the mastectomy. An advantage to having immediate reconstruction, is that the chest tissues are undamaged by radiation therapy or scarring and one less surgery. Delayed reconstruction means that the rebuilding is started later. For some women, this may be advised if they need radiation to the chest area after the mastectomy. Radiation therapy given after breast reconstruction surgery can cause complications.
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What are different types of breast reconstruction?
Several types of operations can be done to reconstruct your breast. You can have a newly shaped 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 your own skin, fat and muscle is moved from your tummy, back, or other area of your body to the chest area. Complete understanding of the benefits and limitations of this surgery is necessary for a satisfactory result
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