Breast Reconstruction Surgery Information

Featured Surgeons

Breast reconstruction is a surgery where the goal is to reshape or restore the breast to a normal shape, size and appearance. This surgery is mainly performed after a mastectomy. A mastectomy is the surgical removal of the whole breast, typically to rid the body of cancer. Breast reconstruction is not the same as breast lift or breast augmentation, but in some cases they can be performed in conjunction.

As results of the surgery the patient will have breast that match their body frame and are in harmony with their overall look. The patient will not experience the pain and discomfort from the loss of a breast; and may experience an increase and self esteem as their breasts do not interfere with their normal life anymore in a negative way.

Breast reconstruction gives women who had suffered from cancer or other conditions and who have lost one or both breast; the opportunity to reconstruct not only their breast but their life.

Losing a breast can be a very painful situation for a woman, not only physically but emotionally. A breast reconstruction can help the patient gain their life back. By improving a patients breast not only their does their appearance improve but also their self-confidence and quality of life.

Breast reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction is a process that most times involves several procedures that can be divided into different stages. Your breast reconstruction surgeon will decide what the best process for your individual case is. Breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy or the breast reconstruction surgeon may decide that is better to wait until the patient has healed and recover either from this surgery or from additional cancer treatments.

If you are a woman who has had to have a full or partial mastectomy, whether due to breast cancer or for other reasons, then you know how much these procedures can affect a woman's body image. Women who have had to have all or part of their breasts removed sometimes have difficulty adjusting to their new bodies. Some feel like a part of them is missing, and some have a hard time feeling feminine and attractive, or even like a woman at all. This can lead to feelings of isolation and depression, even cause them to withdraw from their loved ones just at the time they need that support group the most.

For many of these women, breast reconstruction is the answer. Although reconstructions can't fully restore what was lost, they can help a woman regain her feelings of worth and femininity, and make it possible for her to go out in public without feeling self-conscious or afraid. After the recovery period and a little time to get used to the changes, some women may even feel their new body is an improvement, as reconstruction offers a chance for a woman to regain lost pertness or fullness, or even add in a little breast augmentation while they're at it.

In order to get the most out of your breast reconstruction, make sure you spend some time studying the options available to you. There are many ways to go about reconstruction, and each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Implants are used for more than breast augmentation; they are also used for breast reconstruction. In fact, about half of all breast reconstructions are done with implants. These are available in saline and silicone, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. If your nipple and areola were removed in your mastectomy, there are techniques for nipple reconstruction, and tattooing for a new areola. Talk to your plastic surgeon about which method will work best and be most durable for you.

Nearly all plastic surgeons offer free initial consultations, so call a few in your area and set up some appointments with them. They can help explain the process to you and should be more than happy to answer any questions you might have. You can also ask to see some before and after pictures of previous reconstructions and breast augmentations they have performed, to see if their aesthetic agrees with yours and to check the quality of their work.

You may also benefit from talking to other women you know who have had full or partial mastectomies and then opted for reconstruction. Ask them about their experiences, if they can recommend any specific surgeon, and if they would do anything differently.

Finally, be sure you have a plan to pay for everything. Reconstruction can be pricey, but if you have a good insurance policy, it may cover reconstruction in full. If you will be responsible for part or all of the pricing, talk with the plastic surgeons in your area about the financing options they offer.

Breast Reconstruction Techniques

Breast reconstruction can be achieved through several plastic surgery techniques. When a breast implant is used in breast reconstruction it usually requires that the performance of the flap or tissue expansion techniques.

Flap Technique

Flap techniques are surgical techniques used to reposition a patient's skin, muscle and fat to reconstruct or cover their breast.

Flap techniques are used in breast reconstruction to reposition a patient's own muscle, fat and skin to create or cover the breast mound. This technique is used when there isn't enough tissue on the chest to cover and support a breast implant. This lack of tissue can happen due to mastectomy or radiation therapy.

Tram Flap

A TRAM flap or transverse rectus abdominus musculocutaneous flap, is a surgical technique that uses muscle, fat and skin from a patient's own abdomen to reconstruct the breast.

In this technique the flap can either be complete detached or can be tunneled up through the chest wall and stay attached to the original blood supply.

DIEP or SGAP Flap

DIEP stands for Deep Inferior Epigastric perforator flap. This procedure takes tissue from the abdomen. This is an alternative technique does not use muscle. In this technique the tissue is transported from the abdomen or buttock to the chest.

SGAP flap stand for Superior Gluteal Artery perforator flap which takes tissue from the buttock.

Latissimus Dorsi Flap

Latissimus dorsi flap technique is a surgical technique that uses muscle, fat and skin tunneled under the skin and tissue of a patient's back to the reconstructed breast and remains attached to its donor site, leaving blood supply intact. In this breast reconstruction technique the muscle, fat and skin from the back is tunneled to the mastectomy site while it remains attached to its donor site.

In some cases, the flap may reconstruct a complete breast mound. Often times, this technique provides the muscle and tissue necessary to cover and support a breast implant.

Tissue Expansion

Breast reconstruction with tissue expansion allows healthy skin to provide coverage for a breast implant. Tissue expansion is a surgical technique to stretch a patient's own healthy tissue and create new skin to provide coverage for a breast implant. This allows and easier recovery than the flap techniques. The reconstruction process, however, with tissue expansion is lengthier than in the flap techniques.

First, there is a surgery to implant an expansion device that will be gradually increased in size in order to expand the skin. This breast reconstruction technique requires multiple medical visits over a period of 4 to 6 months. These visits occur after the placement of the expander. During the process the expander device is slowly expanded through an internal valve to expand the skin.

After the skin is expanded, a second surgery is needed to remove the expander device. This device only serves during the expanding process as is not intended to be a permanent breast implant.

Breast Implant Placement

The placement of a breast implant can be an alternative to flap techniques or an addition to these techniques. A breast mount is created by placing a breast implant. Breast reconstruction with a breast implant alone usually requires tissue expansion.

The most common breast implant types are saline and silicone. Both types are available for breast reconstruction. Ask your breast reconstruction surgeon which type of implant is best for you.

Grafting and Other Techniques

Breast reconstruction is then finalized through a variety of techniques that reconstruct the nipple and areola on the breast. Grafting and other specialized techniques create a nipple and areola.

Grafting is a surgical technique that recreates a patient's nipple and areola.

Once the process has been finalized; the Breast Reconstruction sutures are then closed with dissolvable stitches.

Breast Reconstruction Candidate

You are a good candidate for breast reconstruction if you:

• You are able to cope well with your diagnosis and medical treatment
• You do not have additional medical conditions that may impair you from the surgery or healing
• You have realistic goals about the results that can be achieved with breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is deal for patient's that are aware of what they can expect from this procedure and who are in a situation where the removal of their breast may even interfere with their normal life, the way they interact with other people and their activity level.

Breast Reconstruction is a surgery that can help correct these circumstances that may also cause pain and self-consciousness in a patient. Since every person is different, it is important to have a consultation with a Breast Reconstruction specialist to know if you are a good candidate.

You are a good candidate for Breast Reconstruction also if you experience any of the following:

• Pain or discomfort while exercising or doing physical activities due the missing breast.
• Pain or discomfort while doing normal activities due the missing breast.
• Discomfort, embarrassment or low self esteem due the missing breast.

Breast Reconstruction Considerations

Although the goal of breast reconstruction is to create a natural looking breast, please be aware that a reconstructed breast will never look or feel completely the same as the breast removed.

Please be aware that the Breast Reconstruction surgery is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Please consult a Breast Reconstruction specialist and consider all benefits and risks before undergoing a Breast Reconstruction.

It is very important that the patient has realistic expectations about this procedure. Talk to your breast reconstruction surgery to know what you can expect from this surgery. It a patient's expectations are too high, it might take time to accept the results after a breast reconstruction procedure.

Sometimes breast reconstruction can be combined with complimentary procedures such as breast lift and breast augmentation. Talk to your breast reconstruction doctor to know if you can benefit from these additional procedures.

After an initial Breast reconstruction consultation and examination of your medical history, your Breast Reconstruction surgeon will schedule Breast Reconstruction surgery.

Breast Reconstruction Consultation

It is necessary that you make a have a consultation with a Breast Reconstruction specialist to know if you are a good candidate, how you can benefit from Breast Reconstruction and what to expect from your Breast Reconstruction procedure. Your Breast Reconstruction doctor can clear any doubt and answer any questions that you may have about the Breast Reconstruction procedure.

Breast Reconstruction Cost

Many Breast Reconstruction specialists offer free consultations for patients who are looking forward to getting this procedure. In many cases there may be payment plans and financing available for the Breast Reconstruction surgery and many Breast Reconstruction surgeons may offer special discounts if the procedure is dome in conjunction with other procedures.

In most cases the Breast Reconstruction surgery is covered by insurance; especially if the procedure is required due to a mastectomy. It is necessary that you talk to your insurance company to know if they will cover the full or part of the cost of the Breast Reconstruction.

The Breast Reconstruction surgery costs usually include: local anesthesia fees, facility fees, and Breast Reconstruction surgeon fees. Usually Breast Reconstruction fees range from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on your location, skills of the Breast Reconstruction surgeon, techniques used and your particular case.

Breast Reconstruction Risks

Like any other surgical procedure; the Breast Reconstruction surgery includes risks such as:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Temporary numbness
• Asymmetry between both breasts
• Pigmentation changes
• Pain
• Decreased feeling in that area
• Scar tissue buildup
• Hematoma

It is important that you choose a good Breast Reconstruction surgeon to make sure that you get the best chances of having a successful Breast Reconstruction surgery. It is also necessary that you follow carefully the Breast Reconstruction surgery directions and doctor's follow up orders and aftercare to reduce the risks of the Breast Reconstruction surgery. With a skilled Breast Reconstruction surgeon a Breast Reconstruction should be a procedure that produces great results and satisfaction; and with proper after care your Breast Reconstruction recovery should be smooth and you will be back to normal quickly.

Breast Reconstruction Preparation

Before a Breast Reconstruction surgery it is recommended that you stop smoking or consuming alcohol for a least a week before your Breast Reconstruction procedure.

It is also recommended that you stop taking certain medications before the Breast Reconstruction surgery including aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and blood thinners, since these may increase the risk of bleeding. Also any herbal remedies that may increase the risk of bleeding should be stopped. These include: vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea and gingko biloba since they may increase the risk of bleeding during your Breast Reconstruction surgery.

Make sure that you tell your Breast Reconstruction surgeon everything that you are taking. Please consult your Breast Reconstruction surgeon or regular physician before stopping abruptly any prescribed medication.

Breast Reconstruction Follow Up Consultation

It is necessary to have a follow up session with your Breast Reconstruction surgeon. After the Breast Reconstruction surgery your surgeon will give you a list of medications to take and the necessary after care and you will be given a Breast Reconstruction follow up appointment or be advised to schedule one.

Your Breast Reconstruction surgeon will prescribe oral medications to reduce pain and antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.

In this follow up appointment your Breast Reconstruction surgeon will make sure that the healing process is going on as planned, may take out any sutures and will assess what aftercare is needed in order to help with your Breast Reconstruction recovery. This consultation is a very important part of the Breast Reconstruction surgery recovery.

Breast Reconstruction Recovery

After the Breast Reconstruction surgery the area treated may be swollen and tender for several weeks.

After the Breast Reconstruction surgery you will be requested to stop any heavy, strenuous exercise for at least 3 weeks. After your Breast Reconstruction surgery you will be requested to wear protective garments for at least 1 week since some bleeding will be present.