Breast reconstruction [http://philippineplasticsurgeon.com/breast_reconstruction_surgery.htm] is a type of surgery for women who have had a breast removed or the so called mastectomy. This is a physically and emotionally rewarding procedure for a woman who has lost a breast due to cancer or other condition. The creation of a new breast can dramatically improve your self-image, self-confidence and quality of life. Although surgery can give you a relatively natural-looking breast, a reconstructed breast will never look or feel exactly the same as the breast that was removed. It actually does not have natural sensations.
Breast reconstruction takes more than one surgery. Extra steps may include adding a nipple, changing the shape or size of the reconstructed breast and operating on the opposite breast for a better match. Breast reconstruction typically involves several procedures performed in multiple stages. It can begin at the same time as mastectomy or be delayed until you heal from mastectomy and recover from any additional cancer treatments.
A variety of reconstructive techniques are available that offer cosmetically-appealing results. Two most common are the skin expansion and flap reconstruction. By far the most common method, in skin expansion, the surgeon inserts a small balloon expander beneath the skin and periodically, over weeks or months, injects a saline solution to slowly expand the overlaying skin. Once the expander has reached an acceptable size, it may be removed and replaced with a more permanent implant. Reconstruction of the areola and nipple are performed in a separate operation after the skin has stretched to its final size.
The second most common procedure uses tissue from other parts of the patient's body, such as the back, buttocks, thigh or abdomen. This procedure may be performed by leaving the donor tissue connected to the original site to retain its blood supply (the veins are tunneled beneath the skin surface to the new site) or it may be cut off and new blood supply may be connected. This procedure has the downside of leaving scar tissue in both the donor and breast area, but, since the donor is the recipient, tissue rejection is not an issue. Also, the patient may end up with a better contoured abdomen if that was the selected donor area.
Multiple factors, such as the patient's goals, medical condition and previous surgery, are considered when choosing between reconstruction using breast implants or flaps of tissue moved from other parts of the body. The decision to have breast reconstruction surgery is extremely personal. You'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.