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The Effect of Breast
Reconstruction
For most mastectomy patients, breast reconstruction dramatically improves their
appearance and quality of life. The latest medical techniques and equipment make
it possible for surgeons to create a breast that can come close in form and appearance
to that of a natural breast.
The Breast Reconstruction Procedure
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure to restore the
appearance of a breast for women who have under gone a mastectomy to treat breast
cancer. The surgery rebuilds the breast contour and if desired the nipple and areola.
Reconstruction is possible immediately following mastectomy, so the patient awakes
with a reconstructed breast already in place. A number of techniques are available
to assist reconstruction:
Candidates for Breast Reconstruction
Most mastectomy patients are medically appropriate for reconstruction, with the
best candidates being women whose cancer, as far as it can be determined, has been
eradicated by a mastectomy.
Many patients can undergo the reconstruction at same time the natural breast is
removed.
Risks
All surgery carries risk, and you should be fully aware of the medical risks
associated with this procedure before you consent to surgery. Your surgeon will
discuss these risks with you during your consultation, and you are encouraged to
ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
More details about your consultation.
You will be required to sign a consent form before surgery stating that you have
been informed of the risks involved; that you understand those risks; and that you
accept those risks. This is standard hospital protocol and surgery will not be performed
if you do not sign.
More details about the required forms.
It is your obligation to inform your surgeon of key medical information that
may influence the outcome of your surgery or may increase the level of risk. These
include medications you are taking, history of disease, medical complications, etc.
Risks and risk rates vary from patient to patient depending on a range of factors.
No two people are alike. The risks listed below are possible risks associated
with this type of surgery and are mentioned regardless of how remote the possibility:
Bleeding, fluid collection, excessive scar tissue. Poor healing resulting in
conspicuous scarring or skin loss. Tissue necrosis. Capsular contracture - the scar
or capsule around the implant tightening. Need for a second operation. Breast implants
ultimately require replacement.
More details about the risks involved in plastic
surgery
Reconstruction has no known effect on the recurrence of disease in the breast, and
it does not generally interfere with chemotherapy or radiation treatment, should
the cancer recur.
Periodic mammograms are often recommended on both the reconstructed and the remaining
normal breast. Make sure you use a radiology center with experience of obtaining
reliable x-rays of breasts reconstructed with implants.
Surgery
Time required: 1-5 hours (on top of any mastectomy
procedure before hand).
Anesthesia: General anesthetic for the main
operation. Follow up procedure may only require local anesthetic.
Further Reading
The American Cancer Society - Breast Reconstruction
Please note that this information should be used only as a guide to your treatment.
All specifics will be discussed with your Physician at your consultation.
If you have questions that are not answered in this website, then please
contact us.
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