Breast Reconstruction
is a physically and emotionally rewarding procedure for a woman who has lost a breast due to cancer or other condition. According to an American Society of Plastic Surgeons report, despite the increase of breast reconstruction procedures performed, nearly 70 percent of women who are eligible for the procedure are not informed of the reconstructive options available to them.
Breast reconstruction typically involves several procedures performed in multiple stages. It can begin at the same time as mastectomy, or be delayed until you heal from mastectomy and recover from any additional cancer treatments.
What is Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction can help restore the look and feel of the breast after a mastectomy. Performed by a plastic surgeon, breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the mastectomy (“immediate”) or some time after the surgery (“delayed”).
Many women now get immediate breast reconstruction. However, the timing depends on your situation and the treatment you will have after surgery. Not all women are candidates for immediate reconstruction. It is important to discuss your options with your plastic surgeon, breast surgeon and oncologist (and your radiation oncologist if you are having radiation therapy).
Book Your Consultation
We will review your medical history to better understand your overall health. Our doctor will discuss your goals and help you understand what options may be available and what to expect from treatment.
Breast Lift Procedure
Breast reconstruction can be done with:
- Breast implants (filled with saline or silicone)
- Natural tissue flaps (using skin, fat and muscle from your own body)
- A combination of these methods
There is no one best reconstruction method. There are pros and cons to each. For example, breast implants require less extensive surgery than procedures using your own body tissues, but the results may look and feel less natural [119]. There are fairly few complications with any of the current techniques.
Your body shape and anatomy may affect the types of breast reconstruction likely to give you the best results. For women with larger breasts, breast reduction surgery on the opposite, natural breast may also be needed to create a more even look. Your plastic surgeon will help you choose the type of reconstruction that will give you the best results. Although this decision may seem overwhelming, it may help to know that most women who have had breast reconstruction are happy with the method they chose.
Most breast reconstruction methods involve several steps. Both immediate and delayed reconstructions require a hospital stay for the first procedure. However, follow-up procedures may be done on an outpatient basis.
FAQ’S
Your natural proportions and frame determine which approach will provide you with the best results. After meeting you and learning about your goals and needs, Dr. Lee Pu will walk you through your available options for regaining confidence in your body.
While the idea of undergoing reconstruction surgery after the challenges of breast cancer can feel overwhelming, most women who choose this route report being pleased with their chosen method.
Reconstruction using breast implants usually requires an initial procedure to insert expanders under the skin to make room for the implants. Over the next several months, you’ll return to our Newport Beach office to increase the expanders’ size until your skin has stretched enough to accommodate the implants. After inserting your saline or silicone implants, Dr. Lee Pu often schedules additional surgery to rebuild the nipple-areola complex.
Your consultation is an ideal opportunity to ask questions about the techniques Dr. Lee Pu uses and the timeline involved in your customized surgical plan.
While some women regain partial sensation over time, it is unlikely to feel the same as it did before surgery. Be honest with Dr. Lee Pu so he can ensure you have realistic expectations.
Breast reconstruction does not interfere with cancer screenings. Regular follow-up appointments, self-exams, and imaging tests like mammograms or MRI scans will continue to be part of your routine care to monitor for any recurrence.
You’ll need to take at least a few days off work following each phase of your reconstruction to allow your body to rest. Arranging for someone to help you with household tasks like laundry and cooking will make your recovery go more smoothly. Set up a quiet area of your home where you can destress and fully focus on healing.
Recovery can vary depending on the specifics of your surgical plan. Generally, you can expect discomfort, swelling, and bruising for a few weeks after surgery. Carefully follow your provided postoperative care instructions about taking your medications, caring for your incisions, restricting strenuous activities, and wearing your surgical support bra. You can gradually resume your daily schedule as your healing progresses and Dr. Pu clears you to do so.