Women who undergo surgery as part of their treatment for breast cancer may opt for breast reconstruction surgery to reconstruct the shape and appearance of the breast.
A woman who has surgery to treat breast cancer may opt for additional surgery to rebuild the shape and appearance of her breast. If you are thinking about undergoing reconstructive surgery, it is best to discuss this with your specialist before having surgery to remove the tumor or breast. This allows surgical teams to plan the best treatment for you, even if you decide to wait and undergo reconstructive surgery later.
After a mastectomy, breast reconstruction can make you feel better about how you look and renew your self-confidence. But keep in mind that the reconstructed breast will not be a perfect combination or will replace your natural breast. If abdominal, shoulder, or gluteal tissue was used as part of the reconstruction, those areas will also look different after surgery. We will talk about scars and changes in shape or contour. Ask where they will be and how they will look and feel after healing.
Studies show that reconstruction does not cause breast cancer to return. If the cancer comes back, reconstructed sinuses should not cause problems finding or treating cancer. If you are thinking about breast reconstruction, you should know that reconstruction rarely hides breast cancer. You should not consider this a great risk when you decide to have a breast reconstruction.
Many patients prefer reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy. Breast reconstruction performed at the same time as your mastectomy is called immediate reconstruction. Delay in reconstruction is a term used if you choose to have a mastectomy and then wait to have the reconstruction at a later date. With immediate reconstruction, the total number of surgeries you may need is decreasing. You have a better chance of obtaining an optimal cosmetic result. For many women, there is a psychological benefit in immediately seeking reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction often leaves scars, but they usually fade over time. Newer techniques have also reduced the amount of scars. When wearing a bra, your breasts should be sufficiently similar in size and shape to make you feel comfortable with what you see in most types of clothing.
