What is breast reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a surgical procedure that is of great psychological significance to many women, which is why a large number of women who have undergone breast cancer surgery decide on it. Breast reconstruction can be done with tissue from the back or by the abdominal muscles (autologous reconstruction) and with the help of implants.
And one and the other procedure has certain advantages, so implant surgery is faster than an abdominal or backbone surgery, but although autologous reconstruction is more demanding and more stressful for the patient, their own tissue gives a somewhat more natural feeling.
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and third age are no obstacle to breast reconstruction after mastectomy, nor do they increase the risk of re-emergence of the disease.
However, this procedure is not recommended to people who are over-breathing, overweight, suffering from diabetes or, for example, suffering from a circulatory system disease.
Patient preparation
Prior to the scheduled term of reconstruction of the chest, it is necessary to perform diagnostic tests according to consultation with the physician from the consultation screen, where it is necessary to mention the medicines that can be continuously used.
At the same examination, in line with their expectations and assessments of doctors, an optimal reconstruction of the breasts will be agreed upon.
Due to the risk of hemorrhage and hematoma, it is recommended to avoid medication that affects blood coagulation and at least 10 days prior to the surgery, it is recommended to quit smoking.
According to the agreement with the doctor, anesthesia examination will be performed a few days before the surgery in Superiora Polyclinic as the procedure is performed in general anesthesia. No alcohol or food should be consumed eight hours before the operation itself.
The procedure
The course of breast reconstruction after mastectomy will depend on the type of reconstruction that the patient decides. When reconstructing abdominal tissue, the muscle of the lower abdomen is used, which is then diverted to the breast area and then shapes into the desired shape. The stomach is formed on the abdomen, and besides breast reconstruction, the result of this procedure is the slimmer stomach.
If the back tissue is used, the procedure is similar – the back muscle moves into the chest basket without removing it, where it can be shaped in the breast or, as a “pocket”, to implant the implant.
Both types of autologous reconstruction last for two to three hours and require further procedures.
Breast reconstruction with the help of implants is a somewhat simpler procedure, but it largely depends on the patient’s physical condition. Namely, chest tissue in certain cases may be tight enough to fit implants, meaning that six to eight weeks before the surgery itself, the patient will have to receive a saline solution once a week. With the help of so-called “balloons”, a place for the insertion of silicone implants will slowly be created. Injections can be quite uncomfortable, and implants themselves have a duration of about 10 years, after which they will have to be replaced.
The advantage of implants is the fact that at their site there is no longer a possible appearance of new tumors due to the lack of chest tissue.
Reconstruction of the nipple is accessed in the last act, in local anesthesia, and sometimes it is necessary to take another breast surgery to achieve symmetry.
Therefore the final results will only be visible after a long time and all the interventions performed.
Recovery process and helpful tips
The patient will be in the Polyclinic for two days under professional supervision, after which it will be necessary to come to regular checkups and consultations with the doctor. Further procedures will be agreed, if need be felt for them.
For optimal results, it is crucial to cooperate and to have an open discussion with the doctor about wishes and expectations, as well as the most careful monitoring of all the instructions.
Even before breastfeeding and breast reconstruction, a great deal of help can be a patient’s contact with one of the associations or centers that provide moral and psychological support to women with breast cancer. When making a decision on the operation as well as in the postoperative period, the experiences of other women who have gone through similar things are always of great help.