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for more details about the range of cosmetic surgery procedures available
at Sandon House Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery in Blackpool, Preston,
and the North West.. |
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Introduction
Reconstruction of a breast that has been removed due to cancer or other disease is one of the most rewarding surgical procedures available today. Each year, more than 55,000 women who have been stricken with breast cancer turn to reconstructive surgery to restore their body images. This can be accomplished in several ways. Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure to restore the size and shape of breasts after mastectomy.
What does the breast reconstruction surgery involve?
There are several methods to rebuild the breast after mastectomy, the two most common are flap and expander surgery. The method must be tailored to the individual patient needs. This will be discussed in detail at your consultation with your surgeon.
Flap surgery is performed by making a skin flap using tissue taken from other parts of the body, such as the back, abdomen or buttocks. The flap consisting of the skin, fat and muscle with its blood supply, are tunneled beneath the skin to the chest, creating a breast mound that matches the healthy breast as closely as possible and it is then sutured into position. In the flap procedure the scars heal in about three months. At this point the surgeon will go on to create a nipple and an areola using the flap skin.
Expander surgery is done shortly following mastectomy. Your surgeon will insert a balloon expander beneath your skin and chest muscle. Using a tiny valve mechanism buried beneath the skin he will gradually inject a salt-water solution to slowly fill the expander over several weeks or months. When the skin over the breast area has stretched enough the expander may be removed and in a second operation and a permanent implant will be inserted. Sometimes the expander can be left in place as the permanent implant. After around 3 months of the implant being in place, the nipple and areola may be reconstructed.
How long does the breast reconstruction surgery take?
The timescale of the operation will all depend on the extent of operation and the procedure being used. This will be discussed in more detail at your consultation with your surgeon. Depending on the extent of your surgery you will probably be released from the hospital in two to five days.
What will happen in the recovery period?
You are likely to feel tired and sore for a week or two after reconstruction. Most of your discomfort will be controlled with medication prescribed by your doctor. Many reconstruction options require a surgical drain to remove excess fluids from surgical sites immediately following the operation, but these are removed within the first 1-2 weeks after surgery. Most stitches are dissolvable so do not have to be removed. Most scars will fade substantially over time, though it may take as long as one to two years, you will have follow-up visits in the months after surgery to check on your progress.
What is the recovery time?
Your recovery will depend on you, some people recover faster than others. It may take you up to six weeks to recover from a combined mastectomy and reconstruction or from a flap reconstruction alone. If implants are used without flaps and reconstruction is done apart from the mastectomy your recovery time may be less.
As a general guide you are advised against any strenuous or sexual activity for 3-6 weeks following reconstructive surgery.
What can I expect from the surgery?
Chances are your reconstructed breast will feel firmer and look rounder or flatter than your natural breast. While these operations can improve your appearance and renew your self-confidence, they will not result in perfection. However these differences will be apparent only to you. For most mastectomy patients breast reconstruction dramatically improves their appearance and quality of life following surgery.
Need more information about breast reconstruction surgery?
If you would like more information about breast reconstruction surgery offered by our NHS Consultant, or whether breast reconstruction surgery is right for you, please contact us today.
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