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 What is the recovery time for a TRAM flap surgery for breast cancer?
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I generally tell patients that the first two weeks will be somewhat difficult. But usually after about four weeks to six weeks recovery time, most patients will be back to their normal activity. Full Answer
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- Q How can my breast cancer surgeon preserve the appearance of my breast?
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Many breast cancer surgeons now perform oncoplastic surgery, which is a combination of oncologic procedures for tumor removal with plastic surgery techniques to maintain the shape of the breast. One key technique in this approach is the local... Full Answer
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- Q Is a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap (DIEP) done in stages?
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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. A "staged" DIEP flap is one that is done in phases, over time. This is a good option for women who might... Full Answer
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- Q How is oncoplastic surgery performed?
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At the time of lumpectomy, the plastic surgeon will perform a bilateral breast reduction or lift, removing breast tissue from the cancerous breast as well as modifying the normal breast. These procedures generally involve an incision around the nipple... Full Answer
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- Q What are benefits of oncoplastic surgery performed at time of lumpectomy?
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There are many upsides to having bilateral breast reduction or lift at the same time you're undergoing a lumpectomy. These include: You will only need one surgery. Your surgery is completed prior to radiation, so you avoid the risks of wound-healing... Full Answer
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- Q What are my chances for recovery if my breast cancer is triple negative?
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Triple negative breast cancers can be more aggressive and more difficult to treat than other types of cancers. They are also more likely to grow and spread than other forms of cancer. Your chances for recovery depend on whether your cancer has spread... Full Answer
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- Q What is the nerve regeneration procedure for breasts?
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Nerves in the chest area, where the breasts used to sit can be damaged following treatment for breast cancer. Often, when women consider breast reconstruction surgery, they want to know if their new breasts will have similar sensation to their original... Full Answer
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