Breast Reconstruction Surgery After Cancer
Options for breast reconstruction after cancer depend on the type of deformity that is left after breast cancer surgery. For those who have had only a small portion of their breast removed with no radiation therapy, breast augmentation implants can be an excellent choice. Radiation therapy can make matters a bit more complicated, since silicone gel implants have a much higher chance of becoming hard if you have undergone radiation.
When you use your own tissue for breast reconstruction, it can be harvested from your belly, back, thighs or buttocks. Each site has its own advantages and disadvantages that you can discuss with your doctor. By far the most commonly used area is tissue from your back or your belly. When using tissue form the back, the muscle and its overlying fat and skin are carefully separated and moved to the chest to reconstruct the deformed breast. When using tissue from the belly, a tummy tuck is performed and the excess fat and skin is moved to the chest to reconstruct the breast.
There are typically two stages of reconstruction. The initial stage is the breast mound reconstruction. There are several ways in which this can be performed during this first stage. Encouraging new skin growth in the area that will be implanted is the key so that there is eventually room for a permanent implant to be placed. This can be done in combination with other types of reconstruction which involve the transfer of skin from an area of the body to the breast mound. Once the breast mound has been reconstructed, the nipple can then be reconstructed. This is done by either sculpting or tattooing. If one breast was removed during the cancer treatment, the remaining breast can be reduced to create more symmetry, or breast augmentation implants can be matched. A breast lift is also an option, and can make the breasts more symmetrical.
Breast reconstruction is a way to recreate breasts after a mastectomy or partial removal of one or both breasts and is becoming more common among breast cancer patients. Because cosmetic surgery procedures have advanced, women are discovering that this can be a step toward restoring their figure, their self-esteem and lifestyle. Breast augmentation surgery and tissue harvesting are just a couple of ways to restore a bit of normalcy to a cancer survivors' life.
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