Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy

Most of the women who are diagnosed with breast cancer will undergo a breast cancer surgery that is known mastectomy. Mastectomy involves the removal of one or both breasts. After the mastectomy, the patient can decide to undergo a breast reconstruction with the main aim of regaining the shape and size of their breast. The breast reconstruction can either be done immediately after the mastectomy or months after the operation. The procedure is always done in the same operation as the breast cancer surgery is done. This is can also be done immediately after the mastectomy and therefore saves the patient from having to perform two surgeries.

In a mastectomy, all the breast tissues are usually removed together with some of the surrounding tissues. In some serious cases, both of the breasts are removed completely. This is done usually as a preventive measure to prevent cancer from spreading to other organs of the body and therefore being more fatal. The loss of one breast or both of them can be a really devastating experience both physically and emotionally for any woman. The good news is that any woman who has undergone any breast cancer surgery can reclaim her breast by having the breast reconstructive surgery performed on them. This will ensure that their self-esteem is also restored since in most cases it is lost together with the tissues of the breast that are removed.

Women who are victims of breast cancer can decide to have the reconstruction while they are still under the anesthesia administered during the mastectomy. Studies that were done recently have shown that the breast reconstruction that is done immediately after the mastectomy does not in any way affect the recovery time. This doesn’t also affect the chemotherapy as well as the reoccurrence of cancer locally. It is indeed a good choice to do the reconstruction after the mastectomy since the patient will have successfully combined the two surgeries into a single surgery experience.

The breast reconstruction also helps in restoring the symmetry of the breasts belonging to the patient. Besides rebuilding the tissues that were lost during the breast cancer surgery, the breast reconstruction will also increase the lift on the remaining tissues as well as improving the general symmetry of the tissue. It is important that the patient does research and acquire the required information before making the decision of undergoing a breast reconstruction. The patient should also discuss with the surgeon so as to know what is best for her.  The surgeon will also be able to recommend the right and natural looking breasts in terms of both shape and size. This will go a long way in ensuring that the patient feels almost the same as before once the surgery has been completed.

During the breast reconstruction procedure, the surgeon can use tissues from other parts of the patient’s body. These parts are always the bottom, tummy or back. The tissues are then modified into a mound. In the event that the tissues are not enough the surgeon can use silicone implant which will give the patient almost the same feeling as if it was natural. However, the method to be used will always depend on the patient’s anatomy as well as the expected breast size. However, it is important that the patient realizes that the feeling they would get will not be exactly the same as the one you will get with natural breasts. The patient will get used to the new feeling with time. After the procedure, there will be physical and noticeable incision points on the chest of the patient.

The loss of one or two breasts is always a very emotional experience for the patient. In most cases, the self-esteem of a woman is closely related to her breasts. Therefore the breast reconstruction is seen as a way for the woman to regain her confidence. The immediate reconstruction of the breasts will also ensure that the woman will not have to suffer breast prostheses, which is an illusion of having breasts. Breast reconstruction also ensures that the woman can wear the same clothes she wore before the breast cancer surgery and still feel the same way.