Breast reconstruction is surgery to rebuild a breast's shape after
breast cancer treatment. While it won't give you back your breast, nor will you have any sensation in the breast, you will have a reconstructed breast without a deformity.
In breast reconstruction, your surgeon will create a breast mound using an implant or tissues from your belly, back or buttocks. The form of breast reconstruction that you receive will depend upon your body type, age and cancer treatment.
Forms of Breast Reconstruction Surgery Include:Implant—an implant can be done at the same time as your mastectomy. The breast implant is placed where the cancerous breast tissue has been removed to form the breast contour.
Tissue flap procedure—uses tissue from your stomach, back, thighs or buttocks to reconstruct your breast.
TRAM flap procedure—uses tissue and muscle from your lower abdominal wall. The benefit of this procedure is that you receive a tummy tuck as well, because of the tightening of the lower abdomen.
Latissimus Dorsi flap procedure—uses muscle and skin from your upper back.
DIEP flap procedure—uses fat and skin from your lower abdomen and also results in a tummy tuck.
Gluteal free flap procedure—uses tissue that includes the gluteal muscle, from the buttocks to form your breast.
Nipple and Areola Reconstruction—is the final stage of a breast reconstruction. It's a separate surgery and is performed so that your breast will look as closely to the real thing as possible. This requires symmetry in position, size, shape, texture, color and projection. Tissue for this procedure is also taken from your body from places like your ear, eyelid, groin, thigh or buttocks areas. You may also require tattooing so that the color of your nipple matches the other breast or to create the areola.
As soon as you make the decision to have breast reconstruction surgery, whether it's before or after your mastectomy, you could contact a cosmetic surgeon in your area to assist you with your choices and options and what will work best for you.
