Breast Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction is often a great way to rebuild your life after overcoming breast cancer. It is a type of surgery for women who have had a breast removed (Mastectomy). The surgery rebuilds the breast so that it is about the same size and shape as it was before. The nipple and the darker area around the nipple-areola can also be added. Immediate Breast Reconstruction is done at the same time as the Mastectomy. An advantage to this is that the chest tissues are not damaged by radiation therapy or scarring. This often means that the final result looks better. Also, immediate reconstruction means less surgery. Delayed breast reconstruction means that the rebuilding is started later. This may be a better choice for some women who had radiation to the chest area after the mastectomy. Radiation therapy given after breast reconstruction surgery can sometimes cause problems.
Synonyms - Post-Mastectomy Reconstruction
Decisions About Reconstructive Surgery Also Depend on Many Personal Factors
- Your overall health
- The stage of your breast cancer
- The size of your opposite breast
- The amount of tissue available (for example, very thin women may not have enough extra body tissue to craft an adequate-sized breast)
- The size of the implant or reconstructed breast
Breast Reconstruction aims at restoring the shape of the breast through the feeling is not restored. With time, the skin on the reconstructed breast can become more sensitive, but it will not feel the same as it did before your mastectomy.
Candidacy
- All women who undergo mastectomy, whether partial or total are candidates for breast reconstruction.
- Can be done immediately in the same session as the mastectomy, whether it is partial or total.
- Delayed reconstruction can be done any time after 1 year of the mastectomy.
Procedure
- Anaesthesia: General
- Duration of procedure: Depending on the choice of reconstructive option
- If Implants are used it takes around 1- 2 hours
- If the flap is used it takes around 2- 3 hours
- If a free TRAM flap is used it takes around 4–5 hours or more
Reconstructive Option
Implants: If there is enough good and durable skin cover then replacement of the breast with an implant is often the easiest and the preferred option. The most common implant is a saline-filled implant. It is a silicone shell filled with salt water (sterile saline). Silicone gel-filled implants are another option for Breast Reconstruction.
Tissue Flaps + Implant: Latissimus Dorsi Flap is taken if there is not enough skin to cover the implant.
Tissue Flap: If the patient desires a natural tissue Breast Reconstruction then the following flaps can be used:
- Latissimus Dorsi Added Fat Flap – for small to mid-sized breast
- TRAM (Transverse rectus abdominal muscle flap). It can be a microvascular-free flap or a pedicled flap.
Inpatient/Outpatient Procedure
This is an inpatient procedure. Depending on the type of surgery, you will have to be in the hospital for 1 to 7 days.
- You are likely to feel tired and sore for a week or two after implants, and longer after flap procedures.
- You should be up and around in 6 to 8 days. If implants are used without flaps, your recovery time may be shorter.
- Reconstruction does not restore normal sensations to your breast, but some may return.
- Follow Dr. Sharma’s advice on when to begin stretching exercises and normal activities.
You will have to avoid any overhead lifting and strenuous sports, for 4-6 weeks after reconstruction
Permanent. May be distorted if radiotherapy follows.
Schedule a Consultation
To schedule a private consultation please call us or request an appointment with Dr. Sandeep Sharma and one of our assistants will be happy to help you.