Breast Reconstruction Overview | Tucson, AZ

Breast reconstruction is a series of surgical procedures aimed at restoring your breast after surgery for cancer or cancer prevention. It is performed by a plastic surgeon and comes in a variety of surgical forms. The information below outlines the types of reconstruction, risks and benefits of each, and the pros and cons for each type of procedure to help you understand what might be best for you and what you should discuss with your surgeon.

Most women are candidates for some form of breast reconstruction. Our goal as plastic surgeons is to recreate a breast mound that is similar to your native breast. There are multiple ways to do so, but the overall goal is for you to have as natural a breast as possible and be balanced and symmetric in your clothing. Breast reconstruction is for three different categories of womenn1. Those having removal of their breast due to cancer (mastectomy)n2. Those having removal of a portion of their breast for cancer (lumpectomy ornpartial mastectomy)n3. Those having removal of their breasts for preventive purposes (prophylacticnmastectomy) usually due to a genetic mutation making them at higher risk fornbreast cancer (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2) reconstruction of your breast can often be done at the time of mastectomy, but other times reconstruction may have to be performed at a later time because of the need for other therapies such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy or due to patient preference.

No. The reasons to have or not have reconstruction are different for every patient. Some women choose not to have additional surgery. For these women, there are options for prostheses to wear in a bra to provide the appearance of a breast. Other women need additional therapy that may prevent them from having reconstruction, while some women are unable to decide what type of reconstruction to have.nScott and White Healthcare Breast Reconstruction 2.nRemember you have the choice to have reconstruction at any time in the future and should not feel pressured to make a decision.

First, our goal for your breast reconstruction is to be symmetric in clothing (with your bra on). You will always have some form of scar on your breast (possibly more than one) and scars elsewhere on your body, depending on the choice for reconstruction. The process of reconstruction usually takes six months to a year to complete. The first surgery is usually the longest and most difficult. The second surgery, usually about three months after the first, is to improve breast symmetry. The last steps in breast reconstruction are the creation of a nipple and the areola if you choose. Both of these procedures are done later and usually in the clinic about six months and nine months, respectively, after your first surgery. In most cases, your reconstructed breasts will have some pressure sensation eventually, but there may be areas of permanent numbness; erogenous sensation of the nipples cannot be restored. There are factors that determine which type of reconstruction is best for you. n•tType and stage of cancer n•tbody size and shape n•tgoals for reconstruction n•tneed for additional therapy n•tcurrent health status n•tprior surgeries nThere are three options for breast reconstruction:n•tImplantsn•tYour own tissuen•tCombination of implants and your own tissue