Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Most women aren’t aware of their breast reconstruction options following a mastectomy.  Are you?  Reconstructive breast surgery is achieved through several plastic surgery techniques that attempt to restore a breast to near normal shape, appearance, and size following a mastectomy.  Two kinds of implants are approved for reconstruction.  They are saline and silicone breast implants and  they come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and textures.   All methods of breast conservation surgery will leave some asymmetry and imperfections, so you must keep that in mind.
Immediate breast reconstruction begins at the time of the mastectomy and it’s standard of care for most patients.  In most cases, it spares the patient additional stages of surgery that may be a result of delayed breast reconstruction.  The primary drawback of immediate reconstruction is that it requires a longer surgery and a longer recovery time than with just a mastectomy.  The reconstruction may become comprised if radiation treatments are needed following surgery.  Many options are available for repair of these defects and restoration of symmetry.
There are three main steps in any breast reconstruction:
Creation of a new breast mound
Touch-ups of the reconstruction and possible modification of the opposite breast  in patients having a mastectomy of one side.  This is optional.
Creation of a new nipple and areola.  This is optional.
It is important to know that not all patients are candidates for all types of reconstruction.  However, most breast cancer survivors who have had a complete or partial mastectomy are candidates for breast reconstruction.  The type of reconstruction you undergo will be decided by you and your surgeon.
Here are some questions  to consider:
What are the risks and benefits of this procedure?
Will this procedure meet my reconstructive goals?
How many surgeries are involved with this procedure?