A breast cancer diagnosis is always unwelcome and very often frightening and overwhelming. A woman who has surgery to treat breast cancer might also choose to have surgery to rebuild the shape and look of her breast. This is called breast reconstruction surgery. The aim of this procedure is to make a breast of similar size and shape to your original breast. But they won’t be identical. Breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the cancer surgery (immediate reconstruction) or after your cancer surgery (delayed reconstruction).
There are also different types of breast reconstructions but in this article, Dr Rozina Ali, a specialist Breast reconstruction FRCS (Plast) plastic surgeon, highly qualified in breast surgery and aesthetic and reconstructive techniques, will share with us 3 things you may not know about breast reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction can be performed at any time
An immediate reconstruction gives you a new breast straight away. Also, breast reconstruction can be performed any time after the initial breast cancer surgery. There is absolutely no deadline.
The biggest advantage of having immediate breast reconstruction is that you will have your new reconstructed breast when you wake up after your skin-sparing mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. This usually comes with fewer operations, so fewer anaesthetics.
But if you prefer to get over the mastectomy and adjuvant breast cancer treatments before they think about having reconstruction, delayed reconstruction gives you more time to look at your options and discuss them with a specialist surgeon.
Breast reconstruction doesn’t always require implants
Beautiful and natural-looking breast reconstruction does not necessarily require the placement of any breast implants. Breasts can be rebuilt using fat or autologous tissue. Sometimes any or all 3 modalities (implants/fat/autologous tissue) may be used. This depends on your native tissues, the breasts being reconstructed and the effects of cancer treatment.
Breast reconstruction with autologous uses your own excess tissue, typically taken from your lower belly, to rebuild your breast. This is a more complex, flap based specialized type of breast reconstruction, but it results in a more natural feeling and looking breast that is all you and works for life.
Fat transfer utilises excess fat to more slowly build up breast volume with no ‘donor site’ issues. Again the resultant breast mound, is all your own tissue, natural feeling/moving and is yours for life.
Dr Rozina Ali is highly experienced in fat transfer or lipofilling to enhance breast size and shape, add curves and cleavage where required and even out any asymmetry or differences in volume. She has extensive experience and great outcomes in fat transfer reconstruction surgery, that will enhance not only your breasts but hopefully also your self-image and self-confidence.
The nipple and areola can be also reconstructed
If you choose to have a breast reconstruction it is normal to need a further adjustment procedure at some point after the initial operation. In spite of the breast mound being there, you may not think it looks like a breast until there is a nipple and some pigmentation around it. Nipple reconstruction is usually done at a later stage following the reconstruction of the breast.
However, If you decide to have nipple reconstruction, it’s important to be realistic about what the surgery can offer. It will restore the look, but not the feel or sensation of the nipple. Nipple reconstruction is a simple day case procedure carried out under local anaesthetic. Areola reconstruction can be performed at the same time using skin grafting or carried out with simple medical tattooing at a later time.
An important first step toward understanding your breast reconstruction options is consulting with a specialist and experienced FRCS (Plast) reconstructive plastic surgeon about which approach might be right for you. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about breast reconstruction, book a personalised consultation at the best plastic surgery clinic in London.
