1. You May Have to Wait Until After Radiation
Breast cancer treatment can require the partial (lumpectomy) or total (mastectomy) removal of a woman's breast. Many women choose to have the removed breast replaced in order to maintain a somewhat normal, symmetrical appearance. The timing of the surgery should be a topic discussed between you and your doctor. Most surgeons like to wait to reconstruct breasts removed due to cancer until all radiotherapy, the use of radiation to kill cancer cells, treatments are complete.
2. Reconstruction From Your Own Tissue
Surgeons can use tissue from your own body to form a reconstructed breast. In a procedure called an attached TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous) flap, a surgeon makes an incision across the belly from one hip to the other and cuts part of the abdominal muscle away just above the pubic area. The muscle remains attached at the top section of the muscle and the surgeon redirects the bottom end to the site of the new breast on the opposite side of the body. The surgeon also transfers fat and skin to the area to add fullness. In a free TRAM flap procedure, surgeons use less abdominal muscle and cut it completely away from the body to relocate it to the area of the new breast. The blood vessels of this muscle tissue reconnect to tissue under the arm to provide blood flow to the breast. In a DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap procedure, only fat, skin and the vessels that supply them rebuild the removed breast. These vessels attach to vessels in the armpit area (as in the free TRAM flap procedure) to supply the reconstructed breast with blood and keep the tissue healthy.
3. Implants Come With Saline or Silicone
Surgeons can use implants in breast reconstruction to simulate the removed breast. Implants come filled with saline or silicone, and can be round or teardrop-shaped. Sizes of the implants vary by the amount of silicone or saline in them. Surgeons attach these implants behind the muscle of the chest wall, or the pectoralis. An expander creates a space for the implant, then a surgeon places the implant into the chest wall.
4. Surgical Risks of Reconstruction
Every surgical procedure carries some risks, including pain, bleeding, negative reactions to anesthesia and scar tissue buildup. Risks associated with breast reconstruction can include infection manifested by redness in the breast area, leakage from the incision, a fever of at least 100.5 F degrees, pain, itchiness, numbness and restricted mobility.
5. The Finishing Touch
Surgeons can reconstruct the nipple of the removed breast with skin grafts, tattooing or prosthetic devices. Prosthetic nipples attach to the reconstructed breast by sticking to it. You can purchase pre-made silicone nipples or have one made to match your natural nipple.
