Breast Reconstruction Surgery After Mastectomy or Lumpectomy

For women who’ve had a lumpectomy or full mastectomy, breast reconstruction surgery can help restore as natural a breast as possible with balance and symmetry.  For some patients, immediate reconstruction or reconstruction at the time of their cancer surgery is an option. For others, it can be years after their breast cancer treatment. Knowing about all the options available for breast reconstruction can help patients become informed participants in conversations about their surgical plan.

What Is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a surgery or series of surgeries that aim to restore the look, feel, and shape of a breast that has been impacted by cancer through either a lumpectomy or full mastectomy.

Types Of Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction surgery falls into two categories. They are:

1. Implant Reconstruction

Much like the more common breast augmentation surgery, implant reconstructions give women their shape back using silicone breast implants to fill out the skin left after breast cancer surgery for a natural-looking figure.

2. Flap (or Autologous) Reconstruction

Flap reconstruction is surgery for restoring the look and feel of one or both breasts after a mastectomy that uses the patient’s own tissue.  The same excess skin and fat that would be removed with a tummy tuck, is sculpted into a breast and transplanted up to the chest.  If restoring both breasts, the abdominal tissue is split in half.  In some cases, patients may have a combination of both flap and implant reconstruction to achieve their goals.

Why Do Women Choose Reconstruction?

While every woman’s story and motivations for seeking breast reconstruction are unique, some common reasons to choose this procedure include:

• Getting back the natural breast shape
• Fitting into clothing the way they used to
• Achieving symmetry between the breasts
• Restoring confidence and self-esteem
• Avoiding external prosthetics

Risks Of Breast Reconstruction

Any surgical procedure has possible risks associated with it. Some risks from breast reconstruction include:

• Bleeding
• Excess scarring
• Necrosis
• Inadequate or slow healing
• Infection
• Abdominal hernia
• Fluid retention

How To Decide If Breast Reconstruction Is Right For You

For those who are considering breast reconstruction, it may help to ask questions such as:

• Is rebuilding your breast important to you?
• Are you willing to undergo additional surgery?
• Is surgery necessary to help you feel whole?
• Is a prosthetic breast a better option?

These questions will help patients make an informed decision that is best for them, in coordination with our board-certified plastic surgeons breast reconstruction surgeons.

Breast Reconstruction in Tucson, AZ

Breast reconstruction is a highly personal decision, and with so many different techniques available to choose from, it can become overwhelming. If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery, contact the team at Tuscon Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation with our caring team to find out what options may be the best for you and your unique breast cancer journey. Call us or contact us online today to start a conversation about breast reconstruction.