Breast Reconstruction Surgery is an Option for Women after Mastectomy

Breast reconstruction is an option for many women who have had mastectomies. Breast reconstruction gives women who have lost their breasts to cancer a feminine figure and improved self-esteem. Reconstruction surgery makes shopping for clothes and overcoming other emotional issues related to breast cancer a little easier.

There are a couple of options as to when breast reconstruction surgery is performed. In immediate breast reconstruction surgery, the plastic surgeon will work with the mastectomy surgeon to allow the reconstruction procedure is performed at the same time the mastectomy is performed. This may be better for some women who may experience severe emotional suffering from the sensation and appearance of losing their breasts. The other option is delayed breast reconstruction surgery. In delayed breast reconstruction surgery, the reconstruction procedure is delayed until a few months after the mastectomy procedure. This may be a more medically sound option for some women.

In breast reconstruction surgery, a flap of skin, taken from either the abdomen, back, or other part of the body, is connected to the chest to form a flap. Then, either saline or silicone breast implants are placed under the flap. The flap is then attached completely to the chest so that it forms a pocket for the breast implant sac. The result is that the flap of skin is like the skin on the natural breast and the breast implant is like the natural breast tissue and fat.

Breast reconstruction surgery does require the patient be administered general anesthesia. The surgery lasts for two to three hours. It can be performed on an outpatient basis, or the patient may stay one night in the hospital to recover.

Mild complications the patient can expect after any breast surgery procedure include pain, swelling, and bruising. Severe complications are rare and include loss of blood flow to the nipple and interfere with future mammograms and breastfeeding. It is important that the patient understand how breast reconstruction surgery affects her future breast health. Also, it is important that the patient is aware that normal sensation will not return to the breast after reconstruction surgery.