Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Breast cancer may require a woman to have her breast removed, leaving some to choose to have surgery to reconstruct their breasts afterward.
Women who have aggressive forms of breast cancer, or who are at high risk of developing the disease, often choose to have a mastectomy, the surgical removal of one or both breasts. During this procedure, doctors can replace any skin, breast tissue or a nipple that they may have removed during the surgery. (If you still need radiation therapy after your mastectomy, your doctor may suggest you wait for reconstructive surgery until after you finish treatment.)
Breast implants, filled with either silicone or saline, can be used to reshape your breast, or you can even use your own tissue, a procedure called flap surgery. Both breast implants and flap surgery are complex procedures, each with their own risks and may require second surgeries to position the breasts correctly. Most insurance companies will cover this type of reconstructive surgery.
Recently Answered
- Q How will I look after a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap?
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A deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap procedure is a procedure used to reconstruct a woman's breast following cancer treatment. Your breast reconstructive surgeon will do everything possible to make your breasts look and feel as... Full Answer
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- Q When can my doctor perform breast reconstructive surgery?
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You can choose to have breast reconstructive surgery at the same time as your mastectomy, to delay it, or to have it in stages over time. Your breast surgeon and the breast plastic and reconstructive surgeon will help you decide which option is best for... Full Answer
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- Q What issues should I consider to decide on reconstructive breast surgery?
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Women with breast cancer choosing reconstructive surgery need to decide when to have surgery and what type of surgery to have. There are a variety of options available if you are a good candidate and are healthy enough for surgery. You can choose to have... Full Answer
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- Q What is oncoplastic surgery?
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Oncoplastic surgery combines the latest plastic surgery techniques with breast surgical oncology. When a large lumpectomy will likely leave the breast distorted, your surgeon can sculpt the remaining tissue to realign the nipple and areola and restore a... Full Answer
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- Q Is breast reconstruction surgery covered by insurance?
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Federal and state laws require insurance companies to pay for all or part of the cost of breast reconstruction at any time after removal a patient's breast tissue. This includes any surgery required on the opposite breast for symmetry. Full Answer
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- Q What is autologous tissue reconstruction after breast cancer?
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Breast reconstruction is a procedure that is available to women who choose to have a mastectomy, removal of all the breast tissue, as a treatment option for breast cancer. There are three major types of breast reconstructive surgery available including:... Full Answer
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- Q How are implants used in breast reconstruction after breast cancer?
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Breast reconstruction is a procedure that is available to women who choose to have a mastectomy, removal of all the breast tissue, as a treatment option for breast cancer. There are three major types of breast reconstructive surgery available including:... Full Answer
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- Q What is delayed breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients?
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A delayed breast reconstruction takes place after all of the recommended therapies to treat the cancer are completed. One benefit of waiting for reconstruction is that it allows enough time to make sure all of the cancer has been treated. Some women... Full Answer
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- Q Who is not a good candidate for breast conserving surgery?
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Some women are not good candidates for breast conserving surgery. These women include: Those with multiple tumors in the breast occupying several different sections Those who have had lumpectomy with radiation in the past Those who have had mantle... Full Answer
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- Q What is the recovery from breast reconstruction like?
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A patient can expect to stay in the hospital for four to five days after breast reconstruction surgery. Women who have been given tissue expanders or breast implants most often experience discomfort for about a week. They can also expect two or three... Full Answer
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