Cancer leaves its mark, physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you’ve had surgery to remove an organ, the mark is even deeper, though not always visible. However, if you’ve had to have a breast (or breasts) removed because of breast cancer, the mark is physically visible. For many women, the mark is there mentally and emotionally, too; many women feel self-conscious about their appearance after breast removal. Most women (56%) decide to have reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy. You may even decide to have reconstructive surgery at the same time you have a mastectomy. There are other reasons for breast reconstruction, too, such as accidents or other trauma.
How to prepare for breast reconstruction
Start by finding an accredited surgeon and healthcare facility with current and reputable credentials in the field. You and your surgeon will work together during a preoperative consultation. It is important to be as honest as possible during this consultation about what you hope to achieve. You’ll need to have realistic expectations–in a recent study, many women misjudged how they would feel after a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. This included many women who had reconstruction but, prior to the surgery, believed that the outcomes of the surgery would be better than it actually was. Discuss your expectations with your surgeon. You may even want to talk to women who have had reconstructive surgery to get their opinions and hear about their experiences.
What happens during breast reconstruction?
This procedure involves the use of multiple surgical techniques to restore or reshape the breast. Which techniques are used depends heavily on what the desired outcome is and what type of tissues are available for the surgeon to work with. The surgeon may use autologous tissue (tissue taken from the patient’s own body) or artificial prosthetics (implants) to achieve the desired results.
Tissues taken from the patient’s own body are called “flaps,” and the surgery may be referred to as “flap surgery.” These tissue flaps contain skin, fat, blood vessels, and sometimes muscle. They are most often taken from the abdomen or back but can be taken from other areas, too. Implants may be either saline or silicone depending on your preference or your surgeon’s recommendations.
Besides reshaping the breast, the surgeon may perform other minor repairs or improvements to the breast. The areola may be repositioned during the procedure, and the surgeon may remove slack skin.
Recovering from breast reconstruction
Your hospital stay depends on several different factors. For example, if you have reconstruction in conjunction with a mastectomy, you may need to stay in the hospital for a night or two. Similarly, if you have flap surgery, you may need to stay overnight because you will have more than one surgical site to monitor. If you have chosen to have reconstructive surgery after you have healed from a mastectomy and you’ve opted for implants, you may be able to have the surgery as an outpatient and go home right after the surgery.
You’ll be tired and sore for a week or so, especially if you have more than one surgical site. Most women start to feel better after a week or two, but full recovery can take between six to eight weeks. Keep in mind that it may take eight or more weeks for bruising and swelling to go down, and it may take a year or two for the tissues to fully heal. Sometimes, feeling doesn’t return to a reconstructed breast.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions on what to do and avoid, so carefully follow their advice on when you can start to exercise or resume normal activities. Avoid overhead lifting, strenuous sports, and certain sexual activities for at least four to six weeks following surgery. Check with your surgeon to determine when you can start to wear a regular bra again.
Conclusion
Breast reconstruction can help women heal physically, mentally, and emotionally after the traumatic events of cancer and mastectomy. Work with your doctor to ensure that you consider all your options and that your expectations of reconstruction are reasonable.
Written by Shlomo Witty
