What Is Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is a category of procedures used to recreate the form of the female breast. This is typically performed after mastectomy or partial mastectomy required secondary to breast cancer. It is also used to create the breast form in patients who have developmental abnormalities of the breast or congenital absence of the breast.
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure done for women with breast cancer that rebuilds the breast contour or breast itself. There are basically two types of surgical procedures done in order to recreate the breast – using an implant or your own tissue. These two methods can be combined in order to achieve the desired volume and symmetry depending on your unique situation. Types of Reconstruction: Tissue Expander/Implant Recreating a breast after mastectomy can be accomplished by placing a tissue expander under the skin and chest muscle. The tissue expander has a tiny valve in which a salt-water solution can be injected into in order to stretch the skin over time. This is accomplished over a period of several months to create the loose skin necessary to accommodate a breast implant. After the tissue expander is expanded to its desired volume, another procedure is required in order to exchange this for a permanent saline or gel filled implant.
Breast reconstruction has become one of the most rewarding surgical procedures performed today. Each year, many women become afflicted with breast cancer. Unfortunately for some, this disease leads to the removal of one or both breasts. However, advancements in breast reconstruction have allowed doctors to actually recreate a breast that is almost identical in look and feel of a natural breast. This is accomplished through the use of breast implants and skin expansion or flap reconstruction techniques. Doctors can even perform breast reconstruction immediately after the breast removal, or mastectomy. This allows the woman to awaken from surgery and not see herself missing a breast. Not only can breast reconstruction help improve appearance; it has helped many women improve their quality of life and regain a sense of femininity. However, this is a major surgical procedure, and there is a lot of information one needs to know before undergoing breast reconstruction. That is why it is impo
