Breast Reconstruction

For the many women who have lost a breast to cancer, breast reconstruction can restore their body. Although this reconstruction will not look and feel exactly the same, it will however improve your figure remarkably. Breast reconstruction should be done at the advisement of your oncologist and will depend on your stage of cancer or treatment. Once you have no additional health concerns and feel that you can handle the adjustment period, this procedure is definitely for you.

BEFORE	AFTER
CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO VIEW A LARGER VERSION

The Procedure
There are various options in breast reconstruction that are available to you. The right one for you will depend on your anatomy, your surgeon's preferences and your desired look. Skin expansion with a breast implant is them most common. A tissue expander is inserted after the mastectomy for preparation. The expander is filled with saline. After surgery, the breast mound is restored. Scars are permanent, but fade with time. Flap reconstruction allows for the breast to be rebuilt with natural tissue, and unlike the tissue-expander method, the breast mound is completed at the initial operation without the need for expansion over extended time periods. Follow-up procedures are a must after these procedures.

Before and After
After surgery, within the first week surgical drains and stitches are removed, dressings are changed. After the first two weeks soreness at the site diminishes and your energy level will increase. After several weeks, you can return to normal activity, perform stretching exercised and you scars will begin to fade.