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Breast Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction
Everything You Need To Know Breast Reconstruction
What is breast reconstruction surgery?
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure performed to restore the normal shape, size, symmetry, and appearance of one or both breasts after a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. It involves the removal of a portion of tissue from an area of the body, typically the abdomen, and the relocation of the tissue to form a breast mound.
Types of breast reconstruction
There are many different types of breast reconstruction. Some use implants made of silicone or saline. Others use a flap made of tissue from the patient’s own body (e.g., tissue from your lower belly)
Immediate Breast Reconstruction
Immediate reconstruction is when breast reconstruction is done right after a mastectomy. During a mastectomy, a breast cancer surgeon will remove the breast during the procedure. The plastic surgeon will then reconstruct the breast using tissue from the patient’s body, implants, or a combination of both.
Delayed Breast Reconstruction
Depending on the patient’s circumstances, breast reconstruction may be performed at a different time. Delayed reconstruction is when breast reconstruction is done several weeks, months or even years after a mastectomy, lumpectomy, radiation treatment, chemotherapy treatment, or targeted treatment.
Nipple Reconstruction
Nipple reconstruction is a surgical procedure performed by a surgeon to reconstruct the nipple following a mastectomy. This procedure is not necessary for those who are healthy after the mastectomy. Additionally, some patients may opt to have breast reconstruction surgery, while others may choose to have breast but no nipple reconstruction. Depending on the patient’s requirement, this procedure can be accompanied by prosthetic breast implants or by simply “going flat”.
Reconstruction Revision Surgery
Patients who have undergone breast reconstruction in the past (either with an implant or with a flap) may necessitate revisionary surgery or other procedures to enhance cosmetic results, reduce pain, rectify deformities, or improve symmetry. Correction surgery can occur at any time after initial breast reconstruction surgery. In some cases, patients who have undergone initial implant reconstruction may opt to remove implants and continue with flap reconstruction.
Who is a suitable candidate for breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is recommended for patients who can manage their diagnosis and treatment. Patients who don’t have any other medical issues or illnesses that could slow down the healing process, and who have a positive outlook and realistic goals for restoring their breast and body image may opt for breast reconstruction.
Preparation for breast reconstruction
Before surgery, the health care provider will provide patients with detailed instructions on the steps required to ensure a successful outcome. These may include, cessation of smoking, taking, or stopping certain vitamins, medications, and dietary and herbal supplements for an extended period. Further, instructions on the appropriate eating and drinking habits should be provided.
Procedure for breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction typically involves more than one surgery. The first surgery is to create the breast mound, which can be performed at the time of your mastectomy or at a later date under general anaesthesia. The follow-up surgeries, such as the filling of expanders or the formation of nipples and areolas, are usually performed in outpatient facilities using local anaesthesia.
Post-procedure care and recovery for breast reconstruction
It’s important to follow the surgeon’s instructions on when to start stretching and regular activities since it depends on the type of reconstruction. In general, women should avoid lifting heavy objects, playing sports, or doing any sexual activity for the first 4-6 weeks after the reconstruction. For further instructions, it is advisable to consult the surgeon.
Risks and complications of breast reconstruction
Oncoplastic breast surgery improves cosmetic outcomes in breast cancer patients and is a reasonably safe procedure, there are certain risks to be aware of, including:
A few common breast reconstruction risks may include:
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Swelling and pain
- Infection
- Poor healing
- Extreme fatigue
- Loss or alteration of nipple
- Abdominal wall bulging
- Necrosis
- Uneven breasts
- Problems with breast implant
- Need for additional surgeries to correct problems
- Pain or tenderness
- Poor tissue healing
- Swelling
- Scars
- Blood vessel and nerve damage
- Hematoma
- Surgical site infection
- Anaesthetic reactions
- Sensation of numbness, tingling, or itching
- Nipple necrosis
FAQs
The best time to have a breast reconstruction depends on the patient’s specific needs, medical condition, and current cancer treatment. Breast reconstruction can be done during a mastectomy, or it can be done months or even years after the operation. The breast surgeon will decide the best time for the breast reconstruction.
No. Breast reconstruction has not been shown to increase the risk of recurrence of breast cancer or make it difficult to screen for breast cancer with a mammogram.
If the cancer is more than 5cm in size, the doctor may suggest radiation therapy after mastectomy. Depending on various factors, a reconstructed breast can interfere with radiation reaching the site of the cancer. As a result, patients are advised to have reconstruction surgery six to twelve months after their radiation therapy. It is always a better option to consult an oncologist for any additional information.
There are several factors that affect a woman’s choice of breast reconstruction surgery. These factors may include breast size and shape, age, prior surgery, surgical risk factors, (e.g. smoking, obesity), availability of the same tissue type, and tumour location in the breast. Considering the above factors, the surgeon may suggest the most suitable procedure for the patient.
Breast Reconstruction surgery can provide a range of benefits to those undergoing the procedure, such as improved self-confidence, better-fitting clothes, and increased swimsuit comfort.
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Everything You Need To Know Nipple Sparing Mastectomy
What is breast reconstruction surgery?
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure performed to restore the normal shape, size, symmetry, and appearance of one or both breasts after a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. It involves the removal of a portion of tissue from an area of the body, typically the abdomen, and the relocation of the tissue to form a breast mound.
Types of breast reconstruction
There are many different types of breast reconstruction. Some use implants made of silicone or saline. Others use a flap made of tissue from the patient’s own body (e.g., tissue from your lower belly).
Immediate Breast Reconstruction
Immediate reconstruction is when breast reconstruction is done right after a mastectomy. During a mastectomy, a breast cancer surgeon will remove the breast during the procedure. The plastic surgeon will then reconstruct the breast using tissue from the patient’s body, implants, or a combination of both.
Delayed Breast Reconstruction
Depending on the patient’s circumstances, breast reconstruction may be performed at a different time. Delayed reconstruction is when breast reconstruction is done several weeks, months or even years after a mastectomy, lumpectomy, radiation treatment, chemotherapy treatment, or targeted treatment.
Nipple Reconstruction
Nipple reconstruction is a surgical procedure performed by a surgeon to reconstruct the nipple following a mastectomy. This procedure is not necessary for those who are healthy after the mastectomy. Additionally, some patients may opt to have breast reconstruction surgery, while others may choose to have breast but no nipple reconstruction. Depending on the patient’s requirement, this procedure can be accompanied by prosthetic breast implants or by simply “going flat”.
Reconstruction Revision Surgery
Patients who have undergone breast reconstruction in the past (either with an implant or with a flap) may necessitate revisionary surgery or other procedures to enhance cosmetic results, reduce pain, rectify deformities, or improve symmetry. Correction surgery can occur at any time after initial breast reconstruction surgery. In some cases, patients who have undergone initial implant reconstruction may opt to remove implants and continue with flap reconstruction.
Who is a suitable candidate for breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is recommended for patients who can manage their diagnosis and treatment. Patients who don’t have any other medical issues or illnesses that could slow down the healing process, and who have a positive outlook and realistic goals for restoring their breast and body image may opt for breast reconstruction.
Preparation for breast reconstruction
Before surgery, the health care provider will provide patients with detailed instructions on the steps required to ensure a successful outcome. These may include, cessation of smoking, taking, or stopping certain vitamins, medications, and dietary and herbal supplements for an extended period. Further, instructions on the appropriate eating and drinking habits should be provided.
Procedure for breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction typically involves more than one surgery. The first surgery is to create the breast mound, which can be performed at the time of your mastectomy or at a later date under general anaesthesia. The follow-up surgeries, such as the filling of expanders or the formation of nipples and areolas, are usually performed in outpatient facilities using local anaesthesia.
Post-procedure care and recovery for breast reconstruction
It’s important to follow the surgeon’s instructions on when to start stretching and regular activities since it depends on the type of reconstruction. In general, women should avoid lifting heavy objects, playing sports, or doing any sexual activity for the first 4-6 weeks after the reconstruction. For further instructions, it is advisable to consult the surgeon.
Risks and complications of breast reconstruction
A few common breast reconstruction risks may include:
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Swelling and pain
- Infection
- Poor healing
- Extreme fatigue
- Loss or alteration of nipple
- Abdominal wall bulging
- Necrosis
- Uneven breasts
- Problems with breast implant
- Need for additional surgeries to correct problems
FAQs
1. When is the best time to have breast reconstruction?
The best time to have a breast reconstruction depends on the patient’s specific needs, medical condition, and current cancer treatment. Breast reconstruction can be done during a mastectomy, or it can be done months or even years after the operation. The breast surgeon will decide the best time for the breast reconstruction.
2. Does breast reconstruction affect the ability to check for breast cancer recurrence? No. Breast reconstruction has not been shown to increase the risk of recurrence of breast cancer or make it difficult to screen for breast cancer with a mammogram.
3. How long may a patient postpone breast reconstruction following radiation?
If the cancer is more than 5cm in size, the doctor may suggest radiation therapy after mastectomy. Depending on various factors, a reconstructed breast can interfere with radiation reaching the site of the cancer. As a result, patients are advised to have reconstruction surgery six to twelve months after their radiation therapy. It is always a better option to consult an oncologist for any additional information.
4. What factors affect a woman’s choice of breast reconstruction method?There are several factors that affect a woman’s choice of breast reconstruction surgery. These factors may include breast size and shape, age, prior surgery, surgical risk factors, (e.g. smoking, obesity), availability of the same tissue type, and tumour location in the breast. Considering the above factors, the surgeon may suggest the most suitable procedure for the patient.
5. What are the benefits of breast reconstructive surgery?
Breast Reconstruction surgery can provide a range of benefits to those undergoing the procedure, such as improved self-confidence, better-fitting clothes, and increased swimsuit comfort.
References:
1. Breast Reconstruction. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/reconstruction-surgery/preparing-for-breast-reconstruction-surgery.html#:~:text=Your%20breast%20surgeon%20and%20your,of%20time%20before%20your%20surgery
2. Breast Reconstruction. National Cancer Institute.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/reconstruction-fact-sheet
3. Breast Reconstruction. Breast Cancer.
https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/breast-reconstruction/when-is-reconstruction-done
4. Breast Reconstruction. Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/16809-breast-reconstruction