Can you have Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy?

Do you know that 40% of women choose breast reconstruction after mastectomy to regain their beauty? 

Mastectomy or removal of the breast can have a serious impact on your appearance. 

You may not get the desired attention of your friends, colleagues, or your family that you used to get before. 

Your professional life may be a little bit of a challenge to handle. 

You can opt for breast reconstruction surgery. It is safe, and convenient with no or very less hospitalization time. Within 2 months you can regain your lost beauty. 

Angelina was a brave lady who regained her lost beauty after breast construction.

Angelina was detected with breast cancer and the doctor recommended removing one of her breasts. 

She hesitated initially for the mastectomy but her friend Sophia told her that health should be the first priority 

She had her mastectomy done in South Africa by a good surgical oncologist who did the procedure with a lot of care and precision. 

But later on, the doctors recommended radiotherapy to Angelina. 

Angelina underwent radiotherapy which further deteriorated her looks. 

She was looking for a place where she could reconstruct her breasts. 

She wanted her breasts to look absolutely natural and beautiful so that nobody could understand she had breast removal. 

Her friend Sophia told her about MedicoExperts, an organization in India providing guidance for breast cancer reconstruction. 

Angelina came to India and consulted a panel of doctors recommended by MedicoExperts. 

The doctors suggested flap reconstruction surgery for Angelina. 

She underwent surgery and regained her lost beauty in just a span of 6 weeks. 

She was greatly thankful to the doctors and MedicoExperts team.

It will be interesting to learn about different breast reconstruction strategies and the best way to improve your looks. 

Mastectomy is the surgery to remove the breast. Sometimes, both breasts are removed and sometimes only one breast is removed depending on the cancer stage and proliferation. 

Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is a powerful technique to get back your lost beauty. But, this blog describes which type of breast construction to choose even after mastectomy and radiotherapy. 

What are the different types of Breast reconstruction surgery?

• Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer – Immediate breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is generally suggested when there is no need of radiation therapy and the tissue expander ( the device in which the implant will be added) is placed during mastectomy only. 
• Delayed breast reconstruction after mastectomy – This happens with autologous ( from the same patient) tissue transfer after radiotherapy.

What are the different types of breast reconstruction options? 

1. Implants

Silicon or saline are the main implants. They are periodically added to the tissue expander after the mastectomy is done. 

Nowadays, surgeons are using acellular dermal matrix ( a kind of sterilized skin) to support the implant and the tissue expander. 

2. Tissue flap reconstruction

Tissue flap reconstruction happens in autologous reconstruction 

The main two types of tissue flap reconstruction are pedicled flap and free flap. 

In a pedicled flap, the blood vessels along with the tissue are moved through the body and there is no need of rejoining the vessels.

In the free flap, the tissue, and the blood vessels are cut from the source and again rejoined at the breast site. 

Both the free flap and the pedicled flap can be taken from the abdomen or from the back or the buttocks or the thighs. The flaps are variously named according to their source or origin. 

3. Combination procedures:

Sometimes, implant or flap alone is not suitable for breast reconstruction. For example in tissue flap reconstruction, there may not be sufficient tissue to bring symmetry to both breasts. In these cases, an implant has to be used along with tissue flap reconstruction. 

In some cases, there may be a failure of the implant due to leakage, and in these cases, flap reconstruction may be suggested as revision surgery.

What are the emotional and psychological impacts of mastectomy and breast reconstruction?

Mastectomy can have an impact on the appearance of a woman. She may feel depressed or emotionally disturbed because of her changed appearance. 

Breast reconstruction helps a woman regain her lost appearance and live a normal life in the family and in the professional circle. 

What is the advice on how to prepare for and cope with these challenges?

If you are having a mastectomy along with radiation therapy, then a flap reconstruction procedure can give back your lost look. 

But, mastectomy is a procedure to prevent the further spread of cancer and must be considered in case of breast cancer if recommended by the doctor 

Health condition should be given priority before any kind of surgical or non-surgical procedure. 

What are personal preferences and priorities?

If you are looking for real tissues to replace your breast, then you can definitely go for flap reconstruction 

Also, implants take a lot of visits to the surgeon, and flap reconstruction can be done by a single surgery. However, a few more visits are required to check the condition of your breast. 

What are health considerations?

Diabetes and prior abdominal surgery can restrict flap reconstruction from the abdomen. The age of the patient, smoking, obesity and other surgeries should be considered before taking a decision.

What are the possible risks and complications of breast reconstruction?

The possible risks of implants are 

• The Formation of a lump called seroma
• Pooling of blood called hematoma
• There may be a rupture of the implant.
• The material may spread to the adjoining areas through leaks 
• It is not a procedure that may last lifelong

The possible risks of flap reconstruction are

• Flap reconstruction is a surgical procedure 
• Chances of blood clot formation 
• Pain after surgery at the source tissue site 
• Diabetes can aggravate the complications 
• Hospital stay is required 

But, flap reconstruction is more natural and gives the breast a more beautiful look. It is long-lasting and breasts can be as good as the original. 

How to minimize these risks?

• People having diabetes, obesity, and prior lower abdomen surgery may avoid flap reconstruction and go for an implant 
• Periodic visit to the doctor is required for an implant reconstruction 
• Proper diet and healthy eating habits can reduce the complications 
• Smoking and alcohol should be avoided.

What is the recovery process and timeline?

Sore tissues from the place from where fat, tissue, and muscle is taken can lengthen the recovery process 

            Draining of accumulated fluid is done through multiple points 

            The average time of recovery is 6-8 weeks and is less in the case of implants 

            Normal walking is recommended after few weeks. 

What are the resources and support for individuals considering breast reconstruction?

You must go to a well-known hospital for your breast cancer surgery and breast cancer reconstruction 

MedicoExperts have a well-renowned panel of plastic surgeons and surgical oncologists who are experts in breast reconstruction. 

It should be remembered that free flap surgery requires microsurgery which can only be done by competent surgeons. 

How to find a qualified plastic surgeon and other medical professionals?

An experienced and efficient plastic surgeon or a surgical oncologist is not easy to find out. 

MedicoExperts have a panel of recommended surgeons for breast reconstruction surgeries 

Conclusion :

Women undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy and radiotherapy are suggested to have flap reconstruction surgeries, whereas only mastectomy patients may opt for implant or flap reconstruction depending on their personal preferences

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