Breast Reconstruction

What is Breast Reconstruction?

A breast reconstruction is an operation to restore the shape of the breast following:

• A mastectomy
• A partial mastectomy or removal of a portion of your breast

There are two ways of performing breast reconstruction:

• Reconstruction with a breast implant
• Reconstruction with your own tissue

Implant Reconstruction - WHAT IS INVOLVED?

If you choose an implant reconstruction, your surgeon will insert a pre-formed silicone or saline solution breast implant that matches your desired dimensions under the skin where your breast used to be. If your skin has been pulled tight following your mastectomy, it may be necessary to use a skin expander, often called a balloon expander, to stretch the skin enough to accommodate the implant. The expander is then filled with salt water solution over a period of time to assist in expanding the skin over your breasts gradually. Once the required size is achieved, your surgeon will reconstruct your areola (the dark area surrounding the nipple) and the procedure is complete. If breast reconstruction surgery is carried out at the same time as your mastectomy, the entire process is likely to take around 2 to 3 hours. You will require a general anaesthetic and you will need to stay in hospital overnight.

Tissue reconstruction - WHAT IS INVOLVED?

If you prefer not to have any foreign material in your body, your surgeon will take some tissue from either your back or stomach to recreate your new breast. The most common areas used for flap reconstruction are your back (A Latissumus Dorsi Flap) and the lower part of your tummy (A TRAM or a DIEP flap). The advantages of using your own tissue to reconstruct your breast include:

• The tissue is natural
• You will not risk the possibility of the complications that can occur after implant breast reconstruction

If you have a TRAM or DIEP FLAP you will lose the same tissue that is normally removed in a tummy tuck. The advantages of using your own tissue to reconstruct your breast tissue include:

• The tissue is natural
• You will not risk the possibility of the complications that can occur after implant breast reconstruction

The disadvantages of using your own tissue to reconstruct your breast tissue include:

• The operation takes longer and you will need more time to recover
• The operation is more demanding for the surgeon and you will need to be treated by a specialist in this field

Your recovery

Your recovery will depend upon which procedure you decided to have:

• If you have a tissue reconstruction you will probably need to spend 4-5 days in hospital following your operation
• You should expect to recover fully from an implant reconstruction within 4-6 weeks

Things to be aware of

Not everyone who has surgery for breast cancer opts to undergo a breast reconstruction. It is important to research the different types of breast reconstruction available before deciding on which one would be best for you. It is important to remember that whilst every effort is made to make your breast as life-like as possible, it will not be a perfect replica of the breast that was removed.

Your results

Breast reconstruction is permanent, although you must expect some change in appearance to develop over time.