Breast cancer is one of the most alarming diseases affecting a majority of women across the globe. The standard modality of treatment of breast cancer is surgical resection of the partial or the complete breast tissue along with the skin. The procedure is also referred to as partial or complete mastectomy (mastectomy=surgical removal of breast/breast tissue). If you are a breast cancer survivor or have a lump of tissue removed from your breast, if you have undergone a mastectomy or a lumpectomy procedure or your breasts are prophylactically removed because of increased risk of cancer, breast reconstruction could help you to rebuild your breasts. Ideally breast reconstruction is done immediately after a mastectomy for better results, but could even be done during your radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions after partial or total breast tissue removal.
When should you consider a breast reconstruction surgery ?
Getting your breasts reconstructed is completely your decision and is based on many factors such as the need for a reconstruction and how will a breast reconstruction affect your day today life. You can always ask your consultant specialist when you are undergoing breast cancer treatment planning. If you have already undergone a mastectomy procedure and you feel that reconstruction of breasts will improve your physical appearance and boost your self-confidence, ask your consultant surgeon if breast reconstruction could be the choice of treatment for you.
When is a breast reconstruction surgery not indicated ?
Breast reconstruction surgery is a primarily a cosmetic enhancement procedure which falls in the category of major surgical procedures that require skilled expertise of a team of doctors viz. your general physician, oncologist, surgeon and plastic surgeon. If you are affected with diseases like diabetes, blood related disorders, uncontrolled blood pressure or are overweight/obese, have a habit of smoking and do not maintain a healthy lifestyle, breast reconstruction is not indicated for you. Ask your operating surgeon about the risks, benefits and suitability of a breast reconstruction surgery for you.
Is breast reconstruction surgery always performed immediately after a mastectomy procedure ?
No, in most of the patients the breast reconstruction could be performed immediately after the mastectomy procedure as the outcome of the breast reconstruction is greatly improved. But, there are many factors which decide when a reconstruction procedure needs to be done for example, if you are affected with Stage I cancer of the breast, the reconstruction procedure can be performed immediately after the mastectomy surgery. Whereas, if you are affected with a Stage III cancer of the breast, you will be requiring radiotherapy or chemotherapy sessions followed by the mastectomy procedure, hence the breast reconstruction is usually delayed till your cancer is completely removed/cured.
What are the types of breast reconstruction surgeries ?
Depending upon when the breast reconstruction procedure is performed, breast reconstruction can be of three types;
- Immediate breast reconstruction: As the name suggests this type of breast reconstruction procedure is performed immediately after the mastectomy procedure is performed. The treatment planning is done before the patient is posted for a mastectomy procedure. The surgical team consists of plastic surgeon along with your consultant surgeons who are specially train for breast reconstruction surgeries. In case if you are undergoing a prophylactic mastectomy as you are at an increased risk of cancer, breast construction is done immediately.
- Delayed breast reconstruction: As the name suggests the delayed breast reconstruction is performed in patients who are affected with advanced stages of cancer and require treatments like radiotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy and a reconstruction is not advised until the complete cancerous tissue is removed. This delayed construction can be done after months or a year of the mastectomy procedure. Delayed breast reconstruction is also done in women who are not able to decide for a reconstruction surgery at the time of cancer treatment.
3. Delayed-immediate breast reconstruction: This is a rather new approach for breast reconstruction wherein a tissue expander (a balloon type of device which helps in maintaining the shape of the breast tissue) is placed under the preserved skin of the breast which is removed. This tissue expander helps in preserving the shape of the breast and treatments like radiotherapy, targeted therapy could easily be administered. Once the adjuvant cancer treatments are over, this tissue expander and the reconstruction of the breast can be performed.
Depending upon the type of material used breast reconstruction can be classified as;
- Reconstruction with implants: Breast reconstruction can be done with the help of implants which are either filled with saline, silicone gel or a combination of both. Ask your plastic surgeon about the type of implant which can be suitable for you.
- Reconstruction with flaps/ autologous reconstruction: This type of breast reconstruction primarily involves the use of your own skin, either from your back, abdomen, thigh and buttocks, which is then used to reconstruct the shape of your breast. Reconstruction with flaps can also include artificial implants.
How do you prepare for a breast reconstruction surgery ?
Like any other surgical procedure your consultant surgeon will do a thorough physical and clinical examination along with a detailed history taking. If you have a history of mastectomy or lumpectomy, your surgeon might have recommended a breast reconstruction for you. If you are a cancer survivor, the doctor also might do some scans such as a CT scan or an MRI to determine if your cancer is completely removed before deciding on a breast construction surgery. Other investigations may include routine blood examination and pre and post-operative photographs. Breast reconstruction is a major procedure and requires a lot of planning.
Does the breast reconstruction surgery require administration of anesthesia ?
Yes, the breast reconstruction surgery is a major surgical procedure that requires administration of general anaesthesia/ sedation before the start of the procedure.
What happens during a breast reconstruction surgery ?
After the advent of anaesthesia, the operating surgeon (team of your cancer surgeon and plastic surgeons) will place an incision at the site where your breasts were primarily located to lift up the skin and place the implant (saline filled/ silicone filled or both saline and silicone filled) under the skin and the chest muscle. The surgery may be done as an immediate reconstruction or a delayed procedure. The implanted breasts may be placed slightly high and will not sag or droop with age.
Occasionally, along with a breast reconstruction a nipple reconstruction might also be performed. The nipple and the areola region are reconstructed as your natural nipple colour and shape with the help of micro pigments which can give colour to your areola. In most of the patients who undergo a breast reconstruction surgery a nipple construction is performed after the surgical site is healed.
Also during a breast reconstruction with implants, you might require a reshaping of the other healthy breast to make the breast look symmetrical.
What happens after the breast reconstruction surgery ?
After the successful completion of the breast reconstruction, the surgeon might cover your breasts with bandages and drainage tubes to prevent any infection at the site of the surgery. You will be advised to stay in the hospital from days to a week or ten days for close monitoring. Even when you are discharged from the hospital, the operating surgeon will advise you to follow strict instructions to avoid any complications. You will not be allowed to engage in strenuous activities, exercising, sexual activities, lifting of heavy weights till the doctor advises you to resume such activities. You can resume work when you are declared fit by your operating surgeon.
What are the risks and complications of a breast reconstruction surgery ?
The complications can range from complications due to the anaesthesia administered such as nausea, vomiting, headache and gastric upset to procedure related complications such as bleeding, infection at the site of surgery, failure of reconstruction, air entrapment in the tissues which can be fatal. If you are experiencing any of the above complications it is advised to seek immediate consultation with your doctor.
What are the drawbacks of breast reconstruction surgery with implants ?
Breast reconstruction with implants is one of the common methods of breast reconstruction. Though the procedure is simple, the implants may or may not have resemblance to the normal breast tissue. For example, if you are an older patient, a breast implant will give a more un-natural look to your breasts. Also with time, implants tend to fail and may also require a replacement. It is very important to understand the outcome of the procedure thoroughly from your operating surgeon/consultant before going ahead with the reconstruction procedure.
What is the outcome of a breast reconstruction surgery ?
Breast reconstruction procedures are being performed across the world followed by a mastectomy or a lumpectomy procedure. A breast reconstruction procedure can help you regaining your confidence, help you in choosing the clothes that you want to wear. Though it is very difficult for a implanted breast to look like normal breasts, but the surgical skills and expertise can make them appear very normal. It is greatly advised to ask your surgical team to explain to you if breast reconstruction could be the choice of treatment for you.
How to find cosmetic surgeons for breast reconstruction surgery ?
Now you can find cosmetic surgeons for breast reconstruction surgery from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple cosmetic surgeons, cost estimates for breast reconstruction surgery from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a cosmetic surgeon for breast reconstruction surgery.
Find and choose a cosmetic surgeon for breast reconstruction surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
