What to Expect After Breast Reconstructions Surgery
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Breast reconstruction surgery can serve as an important step in the physical and mental healing process for women who have had a mastectomy. It can help restore self-image and make women feel more comfortable in their bodies. It’s important to understand that breast reconstruction surgery is a major procedure, and it requires some down time in order to allow the body to fully heal. In this article, we will explore what to expect after breast reconstruction surgery so that you can feel better prepared during recovery.
Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem
After the surgery, many women report feeling a renewed sense of confidence and self-esteem due to restoring their feminine body shape. This confidence can give you a positive boost that enhances many aspects of your life. Patients often feel more willing to engage in social settings and they feel more confident in their relationships.
Recovery Takes Time
After breast reconstruction surgery, it is normal to feel tired and need more rest for a few weeks. Getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating a balanced diet is important to help your body heal. Also, it is important to avoid vigorous activity or any lifting that may cause strain on the chest area. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help cooking, cleaning, or running errands. If you experience any pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor and take any prescribed pain medications as needed.
Temporary Changes in Nipple and Breast Sensation
Typically after a mastectomy, most patients will experience a loss of sensation in the nipple and breast area due to nerve damage that occurs from removing the breast tissue. You may also experience symptoms of burning, itching, tingling, or sensitivity to the touch. Most of these sensations improve with time. However, if any of these sensations do not improve with time, it is essential to consult with your doctor.
Temporarily Uneven Breasts
Sometimes the breasts can appear uneven after a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Depending on the type of procedure performed, such as unilateral mastectomy, a matching or symmetry procedure may need to be performed on the native breast in order to achieve symmetry with the reconstructed breast. Sometimes these symmetry procedures are performed at the time of the initial surgery, and other times they are performed at a later time after patients complete any additional treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Breast reconstruction surgery requires specialized training in these types or procedures. Therefore it is important to find a surgeon such as Dr. Kurtovic and Dr. Mahabir who are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to help you navigate the variety of surgical options. Their vast experience in breast reconstruction will help ensure the surgery is performed with the highest safety and minimal risks.
Schedule a Consultation
At Tucson Plastic Surgery, we strive to provide our patients with the best possible care and experience during and after breast reconstruction surgery. Our experienced and skilled surgeons are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome. If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery, please take the time to fill out our online contact form and schedule a consultation appointment today.
Breast reconstruction surgery is an important step in the physical and mental healing process for many women who have had a mastectomy. It can help restore self-image and make them feel more comfortable in their bodies. But, it’s important to understand that this surgery is a major procedure, and it can take considerable time and effort to move through the recovery period. In this article, we will explore what to expect after breast reconstruction surgery so that you can feel better prepared during recovery.
Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem
After the surgery, many women report feeling a renewed sense of confidence and self-esteem. This can be related to the feeling of having a more natural or traditionally feminine body shape and a sense of accomplishment for completing the procedure. This confidence will give you a positive boost that enhances many aspects of your life. Patients often feel more willing to engage in social settings and they feel more confident in their relationships.
Recovery Takes Time
After breast reconstruction surgery, feeling weak for several days or weeks is normal. This is due to the strain placed on the body during surgery and its need to heal. Getting plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating a balanced diet is important to help your body heal. Also, avoid vigorous activity or any lifting that may cause strain on the chest area. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help cooking, cleaning, or running errands. If you experience any pain or discomfort, talk to your doctor and take any prescribed pain medications as needed.
Temporary Changes in Nipple and Breast Sensation
In some cases, you may experience a loss of sensation in the nipple and breast area due to nerve damage that occurs during the reconstruction process. This can range from mild to severe and may take several months to recover fully. You may also experience burning, itching, tingling, or sensitivity to the touch. If any of these sensations do not improve with time, it is essential to consult with your doctor.
Temporarily Uneven Breasts
It is not uncommon for breasts to appear uneven after this procedure. This mainly happens because of swelling that alters the initial look of the breasts. Your surgeon will work with you to adjust the shape and size of the reconstructed breast to make it look as natural as possible. During surgery, they will carefully reposition the breast tissues to ensure a beautiful final result.
It is important to note that you should only have breast reconstruction surgery performed by a qualified surgeon who specializes in plastic surgery, such as Dr. Mahabir or Dr. Kurtovic. This will help ensure the procedure is done safely and with minimal risks.
Schedule a Consultation
At Tucson Plastic Surgery, we strive to provide our patients with the best possible care and experience during and after breast reconstruction surgery. Our experienced and skilled surgeons are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome. If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery, please take the time to fill out our online contact form and schedule a consultation appointment today.