What Breast Reconstruction Surgery Is And Why It's Important

One large part of successfully overcoming cancer is maintaining high levels of confidence and a positive and proactive attitude. Without these things, people have a surprisingly high likelihood of exiting remission. That's why many medical professionals advise their patients to take steps that make them feel healthy and good about themselves. For women who have undergone partial, single or double mastectomies as part of their breast cancer treatment, surgical breast reconstruction is therefore advised.

This is the process of recreating complete and natural-looking breasts after much of the breast tissue has been removed. If the mastectomy has required the removal of the areola and nipple, these can be reconstructed as well. The goal of these efforts is to restore a sense of normalcy and femininity for women who may be unhappy with their appearances and the way in which their bodies feel post-treatment.

There are a number of ways in which these procedures can be completed. The amount of breast tissue that has been removed and the manner in which this has been removed will often play a very large role in determining how the surgeon might proceed. In some instances, these procedures can be completed solely with the use of donor tissues or fats that have been transferred from another part of the body, such as the buttocks or the thigh.

Also Read This: Getting Ready For A Breast Implant Procedure

More commonly, however, either saline or silicone implants will be inserted to restore the natural fullness and roundness of the breasts. If only one mastectomy has been performed, the reconstructed breast will be shaped and sculpted to look like the remaining natural one. There are also times when implants are installed on both sides to achieve symmetry and balance, despite only one breast having been removed.

Some patients are able to get this process started during their actual mastectomies. This limits the amount of incisions that must be made along with the associated recovery times. For people who have undergone multiple surgical procedures as part of their cancer treatments, being able to get everything else done during the finally preventative surgery can be a tremendous relief.

Unlike traditional breast augmentation, these treatments are often implemented in two to three phases. For instance, during a mastectomy, implants might be inserted at the end of the treatment. Once the incisions have had a chance to heal, doctors may provide revision surgery in order to achieve a more natural appearance. Once this is complete, the final surgery will entail the reconstruction of the nipple.

Some women opt to forgo nipple reconstruction. These ladies find that they are sufficient happy with the look of their new breasts and thus, they may be unwilling to undergo an additional, invasive treatment. As such, nipple reconstruction is an optional part of this procedure.

Women who have received these surgeries find their clothes fit and feel better. They tend to have higher levels of self-confidence and they are also far more positive about their treatment outcomes. Thus, not only are these solutions physically beneficial in the cosmetic sense, but they can also provide tremendous psychological advantages for women who have been struggling to adapt to the significant changes their bodies have undergone.