Breast Reconstruction
If you are reading this section it means you are a fighter, a winner, a true survivor! Whatever the reasoning behind your decision was, whether you had no other choice or made the brave choice for the sake of your health-I salute you!
I’ve accompanied hundreds of women through the breast reconstruction processes and fully understand that the decision regarding reconstruction after a mastectomy is an extremely sensitive issue.
Before making any decision it is extremely important to understand the procedure, and all involved which I will provide. In addition, I will personally accompany you through the entire process in all aspects.
Breast reconstruction surgery is intended for women who have undergone a mastectomy following breast cancer or as a preventative measure, which is performed on women who have a high risk of developing the disease.
Breast reconstruction is performed with maximum consideration and sensitivity of the need to adapt your natural breasts in order to restore your self-confidence and positive body image.
About the Procedure
Breast reconstruction surgery can give the opportunity to restore femininity, feel whole again, allow an improvement in one’s quality of life, restore your self-confidence and self-image.
In some cases, breast reconstruction is performed simultaneously with the mastectomy and in other cases many women choose not to perform the reconstruction immediately and wait.
Immediate breast reconstruction performed during mastectomy surgery is appropriate in cases where cancer is detected in its early stages. If the cancer has spread and radiotherapy or chemotherapy are required after the operation, it is sometimes recommended to perform the reconstruction after completion of these treatments.
Today, there are a wide variety of breast reconstruction methods available. The type of reconstruction depends on numerous factors; health status, the type of mastectomy you underwent (partial or complete), complementary oncological treatments, and most importantly your personal needs. .
The main method for this procedure is the use of artificial implants (alloplastic) with silicone implants, or flap reconstruction (autologous). Breast reconstruction with this method can be performed in one or two stages.
The first stage involves an incision and insertion of a silicone implant as in standard breast augmentation surgery. Sometimes following mastectomy there is not enough skin left to contain the volume of the implant. In these cases, a tissue expander is used to stretch the skin tissue gradually until the desired volume is obtained.
The second stage involves removal of the tissue expander from the breast area and replacing it with the silicone implant.
Flap breast reconstruction is a method suitable for women who have undergone radiotherapy or a complete mastectomy resulting in skin damage which cannot be stretched. This method takes skin and fat tissues from the lower abdomen or buttocks which are then transplanted to the breast area to form a natural breast structure.
In all types of reconstructions, the last stage is the restoration of the nipple and areola. This stage is performed approximately three months after the reconstruction surgery when the breast forms its final shape. In order to restore the nipple, tissue will be taken from the reconstructed breast itself, and the areola will be restored using a medical tattoo, color matched to the areola of the healthy breast.
Each breast reconstruction surgery begins with a personal consultation, in which we will discuss your medical background and together decide on the appropriate reconstruction method for you.
כותרת סרטון הדר ישראלי מדברת על ניתוחי חזה
My Personal Tip:
You have gone through a difficult time in which you made brave decisions and paid a price. Now you deserve to feel comfortable with yourself and your body, and regain your sense of femininity
As part of the preparation for surgery, you will be required to undergo medical tests such as blood tests, biochemistry and sometimes coagulation functions will also be required. It is recommended to stop using blood thinners (such as Aspirin or Coumadin) at least two weeks before surgery.
If you are a smoker, it is recommended to stop smoking at least a month before and after surgery.
If you suffer from a blood clotting disorder, this will be taken into consideration and blood will be withdrawn from you and stored, to be used if required, during the procedure.
Breast reconstruction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The surgery performed is in accordance with the specific surgical treatment plan/method discussed during the consultation, (implant reconstruction or flap reconstruction).
Hospitalization is for 24 hours, and if there are no complications, you will be discharged the day after surgery.
Recovery times after breast reconstruction surgery depends on the type of reconstruction performed. Recovery time after inserting a silicone implant is shorter than a flap reconstruction
During the first days following surgery you may feel pain and swelling in the chest. This is normal and can be treated with OTC pain medication such as Paracetamol and Optalgin.
Your chest will continue to be bandaged with an elastic bandage for two days. I recommend wearing a supportive sports bra for four weeks including at night. It is important to avoid strenuous activities or carrying anything heavy for at least a month after surgery. It is also recommended to refrain from sexual relations approximately one month after surgery.
Results are noticeable shortly after the operation, but optimal results will be obtained six months to a year after surgery.
Asymmetry may occur following breast reconstruction. The reconstructed breast often looks different from the original breast. In such cases, it is possible to address the asymmetry (but it is important to say that even then some asymmetry may remain).
Questions and Answers
Reconstruction using a silicone implant will take approximately an hour and a half to two hours, and flap reconstruction is approximately seven to nine hours.
If you had or are about to have a partial or complete mastectomy, following the discovery of a breast tumor.
If you have had a preventative mastectomy due to a high risk of developing the disease, the answer is yes.
As with any surgery there are always risk factors.
There may be bleeding and bruising.
Capsular contracture may occur after surgery. It is a natural response of the body to an implant, treating it as a foreign object as it tries to isolate it. The breast will harden, which can cause pain and deformity. This complication is rare and if it appears it can be treated by massaging the area and taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
After breast reconstruction surgery, most of the sensory nerves in the area are damaged resulting in poor sensation in the restored breast. A tingling sensation may appear and sometimes itching which usually improves within a year after surgery.
Sometimes there may be asymmetry between the breasts. Achieving perfect symmetry is difficult, in such cases further surgery can be performed several months later.
After surgery, permanent scaring will remain. The improvement in the appearance of the scar is up to the individual and depends on several factors including your healing ability, blood flow to the area and changes in the skin after radiation therapy treatments. Poor healing and wide and prominent scars are more typical in women who smoke.
It is important to note that if reconstruction is performed using an implant, it does not interfere with early detection or increase the risk of recurrence of the disease.
Before and after
Consultation
Complete your details & our team will contact you
