Cancer Breast Reconstruction Surgery
A woman who has undergone breast cancer surgery might choose to have additional surgery to rebuild the shape and look of her breast. This is called breast reconstruction surgery. It is best to talk with your surgeon and plastic surgeon who is experienced in breast reconstruction before you are planning for breast cancer surgery. This will help the surgical team to plan the best treatment for you, even if you decide to have the reconstructive surgery later on.
Reasons for Breast Reconstruction
1. To make her chest look balanced
2. To help make clothes fit better
3. To permanently regain her breast shape
4. She won’t have to use an external prosthesis
5. To regain her self confidence The reconstruction does not make the breast cancer to come back or hide
Some important things to know about
- You might have a choice between having breast reconstruction at the same time of mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or later (delayed reconstruction).
- The cancer surgery and reconstruction surgery will leave scars on your breast and any areas where tissue was removed to create the new breast mound, such as the buttocks, tummy, or back areas.a
- A rebuilt breast will not have the same feelings as the natural breast. Sometimes, it may have little or no feeling at all. The donor sites also lose some sensation.
- Healing could be affected by previous surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. It can also be affected by smoking, diabetes, some medicines, and other factors.
- At the time of diagnosis that a woman will need radiation as part of her treatment, immediate reconstruction might be limited in such cases. Certain types of reconstruction done before radiation can cause problems and lower the chances of the rebuilt breast to look and feel as natural as possible, after the radiation is given.
- Knowing your reconstruction options before surgery can help you have more realistic expectations for the outcomes.
Results
