What is Breast Reconstruction?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 10 years of experience
What is the meaning of Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction surgery is a type of surgical procedure that restores the shape of the breast. Breast reconstruction is generally performed after a mastectomy (surgical removal of one or both the breasts for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer) or lumpectomy (removal of the cancer cells with a small margin of the healthy breast tissue).
Breast reconstruction can be done immediately after breast cancer surgery, that is, immediate reconstruction or it can be performed months or years later, that is, delayed reconstruction.
There are several methods of doing breast reconstruction. Some methods involve the use of silicone or saline breast implants, while others use a flap from the body-like tissue from the lower abdomen (stomach).
In this article, we will be discussing breast reconstruction in detail-
- What is the purpose of Breast Reconstruction?
- How to prepare before Breast Reconstruction surgery?
- What is the procedure of Breast Reconstruction?
- How to take care after Breast Reconstruction?
- What are the risks of Breast Reconstruction?
- What is the cost of Breast Reconstruction in India?
What is the purpose of Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is done in the following cases-
- After mastectomy, a woman may choose to have breast reconstruction surgery to mimic the look of her original breast in normal clothes.
- After lumpectomy, a woman may choose to have breast reconstruction surgery so that the shape of the breast resembles that of the original breast.
- Breast reconstruction may be performed in breast tissue that is deformed due to congenital abnormalities (or birth defects).
- Breast reconstruction is essentially done for esthetic purposes, and to increase the self-confidence of a woman. ( Know more about- What is Vaginoplasty? Purpose, Procedure,Aftercare, Cost )
- Breast reconstruction reshapes the breasts and helps in rebuilding the missing or damaged tissue.
- The symmetry of the breasts is restored by doing breast reconstruction surgery.
How to prepare before Breast Reconstruction surgery?
- Breast reconstruction is usually performed after a mastectomy or lumpectomy.
- In cases of breast cancer, the patient may have undergone chemotherapy (use of medications to kill the cancer cells) or radiation therapy (use of high-energy radiation beams to kill the cancer cells) before a breast reconstruction procedure.
- The patient is asked about her medical history and family history by the doctor before the procedure. ( Know more about- What is Myomectomy? Purpose, Procedure, Risks, Cost)
- The patient should inform the doctor about any medications, supplements, or herbs that she may be taking.
- The doctor may advise stopping taking blood-thinning medications like aspirin and warfarin a few days before the surgery to prevent the risk of increased bleeding during and after the surgery.
- The doctor will examine the breasts, and measure and take photographs of the breasts before the procedure.
What is the procedure of Breast Reconstruction?
- Before starting breast reconstruction surgery, either general anesthesia (the latest is put to sleep during the procedure) or local anesthesia (the surgical area is made numb) is given to the patient.
- Breast reconstruction can be done using two methods:
Flap reconstruction:
-
- In this procedure, the surgeon takes tissue from the patient’s own body (autologous tissue) and uses it for the formation of a breast.
- The tissue is usually taken from the lower abdomen (or belly). But it can also be taken from the back, bottom, or thigh.
- The surgeon may remove the skin, fat, muscles, and blood vessels from these parts of the body for the formation of a new breast.
- This tissue is known as a flap.
- The surgeon may move a flap through the body (pedicled flap). This flap helps the body retain its own blood supply.
- Or the surgeon may detach the flap from its blood supply (free flap) and attach it to the blood vessels in the chest.
The different types of flap reconstruction may include:
-
- DIEP flap: The surgeon takes the skin, blood vessels, and fat from the lower belly. This flap does not remove the underlying belly muscle.
- TRAM flap: The surgeon removes the skin, blood vessels, fat, and muscles from the lower belly in this type of flap.
- IGAP flap: The tissue is taken from the butt region in this flap. Muscles are not used in this procedure.
- SGAP flap: The tissue is removed from the butt region. It uses a different group of blood vessels compared to an IGAP flap procedure.
- Latissimus dorsi (LD) flap: The surgeon removes tissue and muscle from the back. The surgeon transplants the LD flap through the back to the breast region. This flap is still connected to its own blood supply.
- PAP flap: The tissue is removed from the inner part and the back of the thigh. Muscles are not transplanted from the thigh.
- TUG flap: Tissue is removed from the thigh region. This flap transplants tissue and the muscles.
- SIEA flap (or DIEP flap): This is like a DIEP flap, but this flap uses different blood vessels.
Implant reconstruction:
-
- This procedure involves the use of silicone or saline implants for the recreation of the breast tissue.
- The surgeon may sometimes use a combination of the implants and tissue from the body.
- This procedure can be done along with a mastectomy, or it can be done after a mastectomy.
The different types of implant reconstruction include:
-
- Above the chest muscle: The surgeon places the implant above the chest muscle. Recovery time is less in this procedure as the chest muscle remains in place.
-
- Under the chest muscle: The surgeon lifts up the chest muscle and the implant is placed underneath it.
- Implant with tissue expander: An expander is placed under the skin. Once a week the doctor fills the expander with saline. The skin stretches or expands gradually, and the surgeon places the implant once the skin expands enough to cover it.
- Some kinds of mastectomy leave the nipple and areola (dark skin that surrounds the nipple).
- However, if required the surgeon can create a new nipple.
- This is done by transferring the skin from some other part of the body (skin graft) on the breast to shape it into a nipple.
- Some people opt for a 3D tattoo of an areola after the reconstruction of the nipple.
How to take care after Breast Reconstruction?
- After breast reconstruction, the patient needs a lot of rest as she feels tired and weak after the surgery. According to the doctor, it may take at least six weeks for complete recovery. Apart from this, the surgeon may give the following instructions:
- The patient may stay in the hospital for a week after the surgery, after which she is allowed to go home.
- A surgical bra is to be worn by the patient post-surgery. This bra supports the breasts while they are healing, and also helps in reducing the swelling.
- It is normal to feel some swelling, bruising, and soreness for two to three weeks after the surgery.
- To reduce pain after surgery, the doctor may prescribe some painkillers.
- Avoid heavy physical activity after surgery.
- Do not put pressure on the breasts after surgery and wear loose clothes.
- Do not rub soap on the surgical site but clean it with a light hand.
- Avoid swimming after breast reconstruction surgery.
- Consult with a doctor about what to eat and what not to eat after surgery.
What are the risks of Breast Reconstruction?
There is a possibility of risk during or after any surgery. Similarly, breast reconstruction may have the following risks:
- Breast pain
- Bleeding
- Infection ( Know more about- What is Ovarian Cyst Removal Surgery? Purpose, Procedure, Risk, Cost)
- Itching in the breast
- Allergic reaction to anesthesia
- Both the breasts may not appear to be identical in shape and size
- Scarring or bruising around the reconstructed breasts
- Blood clots (gel-like collections of blood that may be formed in the arteries or veins) may be formed
- Death (necrosis) of the transplanted tissue after a flap surgery
- Pain, discomfort, or sensitivity at the donor site after a flap procedure
- Wrinkling or tears in the implants, in case of an implant reconstruction
Call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following after a breast reconstruction procedure:
- Fever above 100 F
- Fluid leakage from the sites of incision
- Increase in pain or swelling
- Change in color in the scar or breast area ( Know more about- What is Breast Cancer Treatment? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Cost )
What is the cost of Breast Reconstruction Surgery in India?
The total cost of breast reconstruction surgery in India can range from around INR 1,00,000 to INR 3,00,000. However, many prominent hospital doctors in India specialize in breast reconstruction surgery. But the cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, apart from the cost of breast reconstruction surgery, there will be an additional cost of living in a hotel and the cost of local travel. After surgery, the patient is kept for seven days in the hospital and fifteen days in the hotel for recovery. So, the total cost of breast reconstruction surgery in India comes to be around INR 1,50,000 to INR 4,00,000.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding breast reconstruction surgery through this article.
If you need more information and treatment for breast reconstruction, you can contact the General Surgeon.
We only aim to give you information through the article. We do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
