After a mastectomy, your surgeon will use breast reconstruction surgery to replace any breast tissue, skin and nipple that were removed. Each mastectomy is different, depending on the amount of tissue that is involved, so each reconstruction is also unique. Factors that will contribute to the amount of tissue originally removed include the size, location and width of the tumor that was removed, and the proximity to the area in which lymph glands were removed.
Reconstruction's goal is to restore the previous symmetry between the breasts, so that the effects of the mastectomy will not be obvious. Each woman will make an individual choice when it comes to the reconstruction of the breast area, since the loss of tissue in the mastectomy affects everyone differently.
Following a mastectomy, you can wear external breast pads or forms, or you may not attempt to alter your appearance to mask the loss. Breast reconstruction is another option, and you may use your own replacement tissue or breast implants. Continuous plastic surgery technique improvements will offer you much better results today than was possible in years past. But the decision is still personal, and depends on your own comfort level.
Restoring a breast after a mastectomy is not cosmetic surgery. They are called reconstructive surgery, since they restore your symmetry and anatomy. The reconstruction done after a mastectomy is actually considered an aspect of treatment for breast cancer. This surgery will change your physical appearance, as well as giving you psychological benefits, and a sense of feeling "normal" again.
The determination of when to have reconstructive breast surgery is based on your own treatments, medical condition and desires. When it's possible, plastic surgeons do recommend the first steps in reconstruction be done during the mastectomy. Immediately reconstructing a breast will help in reducing your trauma at having lost a breast, and eliminate the need for another painful surgery.
If you did not opt for reconstructive surgery immediately after your mastectomy, you can choose to have the reconstruction done months or even years later. If radiation and chemotherapy treatments have begun, the reconstructive surgery will normally be delayed until the treatments are complete. You can determine the proper time for reconstructive work along with your surgeon.
There are different techniques used in reconstructing the breast. They will give you results that are cosmetically more appealing. Your medical condition, long-term goals, and previous surgeries should be considered when you are choosing either your tissue or breast implants to be used in the surgery.
One common procedure to be considered after reconstructive breast surgery is the reconstruction of the nipple. The areola and nipple are removed during a mastectomy since this is a place where cancer can recur. When your reconstruction is complete, the nipple and areola can be done. This will allow your new breast tissue time to heal and settle, and minor position and size adjustments can be done when your surgeon reconstructs your nipple and areola. This can be done with local anesthesia, as an outpatient.
Tom McHanson writes about plastic surgery in San Jose, California plus other medical and health-related articles.
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