Breast Reconstruction
By Dr. Weber
When most people hear “breast surgery,” they think implants, which is also known as augmentation. However, there is another common breast surgery that plastic surgeons routinely perform for cancer survivors following mastectomy. It’s called “breast reconstruction,” and it is an unsung hero in the world of breast cancer treatment and recovery.
In this article, Dr. Weber of Northland Plastic Surgery describes:
- Why patients choose breast reconstruction surgery
- How and when the procedure is performed
- What factors to consider when contemplating breast reconstruction
- What to expect during recovery
Who is a Typical Breast Reconstruction Patient?
A typical breast reconstruction patient is one who has undergone a mastectomy (removal of the breast) or lumpectomy (removal of cancer from the breast) following a breast cancer diagnosis. The goal of reconstruction is to restore one or both breasts to its natural appearance and symmetry. Some patients choose mastectomy and breast reconstruction before developing cancer if there are genetic concerns, and others choose breast reconstruction to treat congenital deformity in the breast.
It is important to remember that both men and women are diagnosed with breast cancer and can receive breast reconstruction following mastectomies.
If you have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer and have discussed mastectomy with your oncologist or general surgeon, then breast reconstruction has likely been mentioned to you as an option.
How is Breast Reconstruction Performed?
There are two common techniques used to perform a successful breast reconstruction:
- Flap reconstruction involves using your own body tissue to rebuild the breast. Two common areas that we will take tissue from are the lower abdomen or back. Sometimes, we can do this without taking any muscle. Occasionally, we will take the skin and the fat portion of the buttock muscle, or even just the skin and fat from the thigh, to reconstruct the breast.
- Implant reconstruction is exactly what it sounds like and involves two separate procedures. Typically, we’ll start by inserting a tissue expander, which is a specialized device that expands to create the pocket that holds the implant. Then, we’ll install the implant in a second procedure.
Oftentimes, we can perform breast reconstruction immediately following the mastectomy. This means the patient would be under the same anesthetic for both procedures.
It is not uncommon for patients to decide after mastectomy that they want to have reconstruction. In these instances, we’ll reconstruct the breast(s) at a later date.
What About Nipple Reconstruction?
There are two general techniques that are used to reconstruct the nipple:
- Surgery: In this method, we use the tissue overlying the breast mound to reform the nipple. Then, tattooing is performed to recolor the area.
Tattooing Only: Some patients elect to solely undergo the tattooing, where there’s no surgical creation of the nipple. Tattooing creates the appearance of a nipple using color and texture effects. At Northland Plastic Surgery, all tattooing is performed by our staff.
What Factors Should I Consider When Contemplating Breast Reconstruction?
The decision to have breast reconstruction and which technique is right for you is really one between you and your plastic surgeon. Some factors that you and your surgeon should consider include:
- Your goals and desires
- Your body habitus (build)
- Your treatment plan (for example, radiation treatment puts a patient at a much higher risk of developing complications after receiving tissue expanders and implants.)
Another important factor to consider is recovery time. Generally speaking, recovery from breast reconstruction is more prolonged and complicated than other reconstructive surgeries, but it will ultimately depend on the technique you choose. Flap reconstruction with tissue taken from the abdomen, for instance, will require about four to six weeks of total recovery time.
With implant reconstruction, you can resume most of your activities about two weeks after we insert the tissue expander in the first procedure. Then, the expansion process typically takes about two to three months before we perform the second and final operation. So, it is one of those reconstructive procedures in which we have a long-term relationship with the patient.
As plastic surgeons, we find breast reconstructions to be very rewarding. We are able to witness our patients’ journeys from start to finish, and it’s truly inspiring.
If you live in Northland and have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, we understand that this is a challenging time, and you have several decisions to make. If you are considering breast reconstruction after mastectomy or lumpectomy, we’re here to answer your questions and walk you through the process. Contact us today for a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.