Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure done to rebuild a woman’s breast after she has had it removed. In most cases, the surgeon rebuilds and reshapes the breast so it will match the remaining breast. Breast reconstruction is performed by a plastic surgeon.
Types of Mastectomy
A mastectomy is a surgical procedure in which the patient’s breast is surgically removed. There are several different types, and different techniques may be used. Depending on the amount of tissue removed during the mastectomy, the patient may or may not need to undergo breast reconstruction surgery.
When Does Someone Undergo Breast Reconstruction?
Women have a number of choices to make about breast reconstruction. For example, breast reconstruction may be immediate or delayed. In immediate reconstruction, the patient has her breast rebuilt right after having the natural breast removed. In such cases, the surgeon will make a point of preserving the skin that had covered the breast to ensure a natural-looking result.
In delayed reconstruction, the patient waits until after she has finished her cancer treatment before undergoing breast reconstruction surgery. Some women choose to wait years. Women choose delayed breast reconstruction if they are undergoing radiation treatments and/or have other health problems. It all depends on the unique situation.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
The details of each surgery vary from patient to patient, since each individual and situation is unique. With that being said, there are two major types of breast reconstruction procedures: implants and tissue flaps. In an implant procedure, the surgeon installs an implant filled with saline or elastic silicone gel into the woman’s chest. Implant procedures may be immediate or delayed.
In a tissue flap procedure, the surgeon takes tissue from the patient’s body and reshapes it into a new breast. There are several different types of procedures. In most cases, the surgeon will collect the tissue from the abdomen or back, but it may also be taken from the thighs or buttocks, depending on the situation.
Tissue flap procedures involve multiple steps. During the first, the surgeon collects the tissue from the donor site; during the second, they reconstruct the breast. Tissue flap procedures can produce very natural-looking results.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Going through breast cancer and the related mastectomy procedure is an emotional experience, to say the least. Just because you’ve had your breast removed doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with a bust you are unhappy with. Make an appointment at Tarola Plastic Surgery in Hendersonville or Murfreesboro, TN to learn more about breast reconstruction. Dr. Tarola is happy to provide patients with a wide variety of treatments and procedures ranging from breast procedures and liposuction to BOTOX® and CoolSculpting®. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
