BREAST RECONSTRUCTION - POST-MASTECTOMY OPTIONS
Different plastic surgery techniques are involved in Breast reconstruction to restore a breast to its near normal shape and appearance after mastectomy. What is breast reconstruction? breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure to restore one or both breasts to near normal shape, appearance, symmetry and size following mastectomy, lumpectomy or any congenital or developmental deformities.
Breast reconstruction usually involves multiple staged procedures and can be done at the time of mastectomy or can be delayed until a later date.
Breast reconstruction includes two categories: implant-based reconstruction and autologous reconstruction. Implant reconstruction depends on breast implants to help recreate a new breast mound. Autologous reconstruction uses the patient’s own tissue flap) from another part of the body to form a new breast.
To choose the best option for reconstruction, number of factors needs consideration:
- Type of mastectomy
- Cancer treatments
- Patient’s body type
A note about symmetry
In case if one breast is affected, it alone needs reconstruction. In addition, a breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation may be performed for the opposite breast to achieve symmetry of the size, shape and position of both breasts.
