Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction is an operation for patients whose breasts are partially or completely removed. If women who have surgery due to early diagnosed breast cancer have naturally large breasts, the breast tissue left after the removal may be enough. However, with naturally small size breasts, or in the late stages of breast cancer, it becomes a necessity.

Eventually, ideal breast shape, symmetry, size, and look which help women for a more confident and happier life can be provided by reconstruction. Although the majority of Mastectomy patients do not have any conditions to prevent them from undergoing the surgery, patients must be thoroughly examined to check if patients can tolerate the surgery.

Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Who is A Good Candidate For Breast Reconstruction?

Good candidates are all patients who underwent a mastectomy operation. It can be performed for patients both who had a unilateral mastectomy, one breast removal, and bilateral mastectomy, both breast removal. With this operation, it is possible to be combined with a mastectomy operation. However, with some patients, doctors advise waiting a certain period of the reconstruction after mastectomy. Waiting is especially recommended for those who undergo reconstruction surgery with their breast tissue, after mastectomy.

Why Do I Need?

The reasons for breast construction are as follows:

A breast construction operation is recommended to correct the imbalance caused by breast removal.
Patients may prefer to regain confidence and feel better after breast removal.
Breast construction can provide a solution for difficulties with dressing and underwear options.
The majority of patients who had breast removal prefer implant-like substitutes to place in underwear. Breast reconstruction can solve this problem as well.

When is the right time for Breast Reconstruction?

The right time for breast reconstruction can be the same session as mastectomy and also can be after supporting treatments such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Who is A Good Candidate For Late Breast Construction?

Good candidates for late breast construction are as follows:

Patients who receive cancer treatments may not want to undergo the surgery in the same period. In this case, an operation is postponed.
Patients who have terminal cancer heal fairly late during radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments. Breast reconstruction operation is not preferred during these treatments.
Depending on the patient’s age, smoking habits, cardiovascular problems, diabetes or obesity problems, breast reconstruction operation is postponed.

What Criteria Must Be Considered Before Breast Reconstruction?

Depending on the criteria considered before breast reconstruction, doctors determine if the patient is suitable for the operations. Criteria are as follows:

Patients overall health
Stage of the breast cancer and whether it has spread
Breast size
Size and sagging amount of the healthy breast without cancer cells
Patient’s expectations and references

What Are The Types of Implants Used?

Implant types used in breast reconstruction; differ depending on silicone gel filling or saline filling inside. However, the outer surface of each is made of silicone.

What is The Procedure Like?

Breast reconstruction operations have multiple methods. Methods depend on the patient’s overall health and physiology. After the discussion between the patient and the doctor, the procedure is determined. Operation is performed under general anesthesia. The following are the methods used in the operation:

Tissue Expander: It is the most preferred method. After expanding the skin, the implant is placed. If necessary, a tissue expander is placed under the breast muscle of patients who had a mastectomy. It is expected to expand the skin after mastectomy until breast construction operation. With the help of a tissue expander, saline is injected for a couple of weeks or months. After reaching the expected width, the tissue expander is removed and permanent implants are placed. Particularly, correcting the areola and nipple area is the next phase of the operation.
Flap Reconstruction: Results are more natural for the patient’s tissues to be removed and used. However, compared to expanding method, the scars and recovery process may be different. Tissue removed from abdomen and hips and uses for breast reconstruction. In some cases, patients have the advantage of getting rid of excessive fat.

What are the Suitable body parts to extract tissue for it?

Suitable body parts to extract tissue for the reconstruction are as follows:

Abdominal tissue
Back tissue
Buttock part
Inner leg parts

On the other hand, extremely thin patients may not be suitable for enough tissue extraction for breast reconstruction operations. Breast construction performed by using tissue extracted from the patients is more successful for it does not require another surgery in the future.

What is Breast Reconstruction Recovery like?

The recovery process is as follows:

After the operation patients may experience aching and pain, to relieve the symptoms doctors prescribe painkillers, and medication must be used as prescribed.
Patients may need to be under supervision at the hospital for 2 to 5 days
Drains may be used to discharge the excess fluid among tissues and must be removed after 1-2 weeks.
Stitches must be removed after 7-10 days of breast implant post operation
Patients must wait 4 to 6 weeks before going back to their daily routine.
After that, patients do not immediately gain the normal sensation back. Patients must know, over time, gaining a little sensation is possible.

What Are The Risks After The Operation?

Basically, risks after the operation are as follows:

Bleeding
Edema/fluid retention
Anesthesia risks
Delayed recovery and more scars in smokers
Infection risk due to implants
Capsule contracture
Cancer relapse

What Are The Disadvantages?

To begin with, the disadvantages of breast reconstruction are as follows:

It must be considered that the results may not meet the patient’s expectations
There may be surgical scars on the parts where tissue is extracted. Patients may feel discomfort about their appearance. However, scars fade in time and become less visible.
The sensation is not the same between the natural breast and the reconstructed one. Patients may experience sensation loss after the operation.
For a more natural result, the areola area also must be reconstructed.
If the operation is performed by using extracted tissue, patients may experience tissue loss leading to another surgical operation to reduce its symptoms.

Does It Interfere with Cancer Treatments?

Undoubtedly, breast reconstruction does not interfere with cancer treatments. After the surgery, if the cancer relapses, patients can receive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. What’s more, previous breast reconstruction does not have any negative effects over cancer treatments.

Reclaim your body and boost your self-confidence with Breast Reconstruction at Forbest Clinic in Istanbul. Our compassionate and skilled surgeons excel in the art of reconstruction, restoring your natural form and femininity after mastectomy or lumpectomy.

Ready to embark on your transformative journey? Schedule your consultation with our Breast Reconstruction specialists today at Forbest Clinic. A step towards reclaiming your body and your confidence is just an appointment away!