Plastic Breast Surgery After Breast Cancer

Plastic Breast Surgery After Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the world and it is not uncommon for women who has had this disease to have their breasts removed partially or totally. In such a case, there are several options present for the reconsturction of the breasts. While the breasts can be reconstructed using tissues from suitable parts of the body (flap reconstruction), they can also be reconstructed with the use of breast implants.  Multiple operations may be needed for the desired outcome.

Flap reconstruction involves harvesting tissue from other parts of your body such as the abdomen, back and buttocks to reconstruct the breasts. Tissue flaps usually look and behave more natural than breasts reconstructed with implants. For instance, they can grow larger or smaller in accordance with weight gain or loss. Tissue flaps are usually used by themselves to reconstruct the breasts, however some tissue flap procedures can involve the use of breast implants.

The use of breast implants to reconstruct the breasts involves less amount amount of operations as the breasts are the only site of operation. Still, mutliple operations may be needed. As implants may not last a lifetime, they may need to be replaced with new ones. Problems can occur with implants after being exposed to radiation so they are not recommended to patients that are to be treated with radiation. The implants are placed under the chest muscle. Usually, the duration of the surgery and the recovery time is less for breast reconstructions with implants.

Implants may be a better option for petite women with small breasts, as they may not have enough extra tissue on their abdomens, backs or buttocks needed for a flap reconstrcution.

Breast reconstruction can start in the same surgery as the removal of the breast tissues (mastectomy) or in another surgery. Breast reconstruction usually requires 2 or more surgeries. In order to prepare the remaining breast tissue and skin, tissue expanding and skin stretching procedures may be needed before the placement of the implants.

Breast reconstruction can also include the reconstruction of the nipples if wanted. Tattooing can be an option to create the coloring of the areola.

Breast reconstruction will not create the same appearance or provide the same sensations as your natural breasts. The contour of your new reconstructed breasts can have a similiar silhuette as your breasts before the mastectomy. Breast reconstruction can help with the problems that women experience with clothing or bathing suits after a mastectomy and eliminate the need for external prosthetics.