Breast reconstruction
What is breast reconstruction?
Who is a good candidate?
Risks
Preparing for breast reconstruction
Recovery
What is breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure
to recreate the shape and appearance of a woman’s
breast. Most commonly, the procedure is done as
part of a mastectomy - the surgery to remove an
entire breast with cancer.
The procedure can also be used to help women
with congenital conditions and those injured in
accidents or burned.
There are two types of breast reconstruction.
Using one practice, doctors move tissue from the
belly or back to the breast. Though this method
is more extensive, it can provide a great emotional
benefit and is often performed during the same
operation as the mastectomy. The tissue can be
moved by keeping it alive on a muscle or microsurgery
can be used to reattach blood vessels to keep
the transplanted tissue alive.
Not every woman has the option of using her own
tissue. Breast implants or tissue expanders can
also be used in breast reconstruction. When tissue
expanders are used, they are gradually enlarged
over the three months following the surgery. Though
some tissue expanders can be permanent, they are
typically replaced with permanent breast implants
during a second surgery.
As a leader in breast reconstruction, Penn is
proud to be participating in a national study
analyzing the use of silicone breast implants
in breast reconstruction.
Saline and silicone implants are quite safe and
present unique benefits. Discuss the alternatives
with your doctor.
Who is a good candidate?
Many women consult with a reconstructive plastic
surgeon soon after being diagnosed with breast
cancer. This allows the surgeon to be an integral
part of the cancer treatment team.
However, if you had a mastectomy without reconstructive
surgery, it may still be possible to restore a
more natural appearance. Talk to your doctor today.
Most insurance providers cover the cost of breast
reconstruction after mastectomy. Work with your
doctor’s office and insurance provider to
explore your options.
Risks
Surgery has risks, but you can help prevent complications
by carefully following your physician's instructions
both before and after surgery. Talk with your
plastic surgeon to be sure you understand the
potential risks and complications. If you don't
understand something, ask!
Moving tissue from the belly to the breast weakens
the abdominal wall. This may cause a hernia.
Preparing for breast
reconstruction
Ask your doctor what you can do now to help speed
recovery later. Follow your physician’s
orders, and remember to stick to a balanced diet.
Because the consequences of cancer are as unique
as the woman fighting the disease, the results
of breast reconstruction can be unpredictable.
Stay positive, but know that several surgeries
may be necessary. Complete breast reconstruction
often involves several stages of surgery, from
the mastectomy until creation of the nipple-areola
complex.
Recovery
A patient can expect to stay in the hospital for
four to five days after breast reconstruction
surgery.
Women who have been given tissue expanders or
breast implants most often experience discomfort
for about a week. They can also expect two or
three days of tenderness after each expansion.
Those who have had their own tissue used in the
reconstruction can expect to have discomfort around
their breasts and where the tissue was removed
for two to three weeks.
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