Breast Reconstruction: Giving You Back What You Have Lost

Breast Cancer is one of the most difficult things for women to endure. Having to have your breasts removed can be emotionally scarring for some women, that is where a breast reconstruction procedure can help.

Probably one of the most devastating things for women is to find out they have breast cancer. For many their only option is to have a mastectomy meaning that one, or both if it is a double, is removed. Once they are removed though you can regain your figure and confidence with breast reconstruction. This type of surgery can give you back what you felt like you've lost . . . yourself.

Breast reconstruction surgery is just as it sounds; your surgeon will recreate what is lost. While you will have the shape and symmetry that you once had, it will not feel like it once did. And this type of procedure can still be performed if you only had a single mastectomy. In this event your doctor might recommend a lift, reduction, or augmentation of the other side to ensure that the symmetry is the same.

Unlike augmentation or reduction there is several ways to go about creating a new teat. All of these invasive procedures will be gone over at length with your doctor so that you can ensure you are making the right decision on how to proceed. If you don't have a lot of tissue left on your chest thanks to chemo, radiation and the mastectomy, your surgeon will have to create tissue by using a "flap". This can come from one of two areas of your body, either the abdomen or the back. If you don't need muscle added as well your surgeon may also use tissue from the buttock area as well. This flap will help to create the base that will support the implant later.

Should you choose not to go the route of the flap, there is a way to do expand your natural tissue. This type of procedure, while recovery time is lessened, takes longer to do from start to finish. The procedure requires an implant be placed under the skin and visits to your physician over the course of 4 to 6 months to monitor slowly fill the valve and expand the tissue. If the original valve wasn't meant to be a permanent solution then your surgeon will want to replace it for a more permanent one at around six months.

At this stage you will receive an implant to make the breast reconstruction complete. This will give you the appearance of having a natural bust line. Cancer doesn't have to take away your feminine side; by having the most invasive option done early you might be able to save your health. With the option of breast reconstruction in mind, you can have peace as you move on with your life.

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