By Fedor Villard-López
Miami-Dade Health
Women who have surgery as part of their breast cancer treatment may choose breast reconstruction surgery to rebuild the shape and look of the breast. There are different types of breast reconstruction.
Typically, breast reconstruction takes place during or soon after mastectomy, and in some cases, lumpectomy. Breast reconstruction also can be done many months or even years after mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Usually, during this type of surgery, the surgeon creates a breast shape using an artificial implant, which is called implant reconstruction, or a flap of tissue from another place on your body, a procedure known as autologous reconstruction. Both methods can be used as part of the surgery.
Asking yourself some questions can help you start to think about what type of reconstruction you want — if you want reconstruction at all:
- Will breast reconstruction help you to feel whole again?
- How important is rebuilding your breast to the patient?
- Can you live with a breast form that you take off and put on?
- Are you OK with undergoing other surgeries after mastectomy or lumpectomy?
There are many different options and types of breast reconstruction procedures. Some are done, or at least started, at the same time as mastectomy, while others are done later.
Patients need to have in mind also that while breast reconstruction rebuilds the shape of the breast, it doesn’t restore sensation. Over time, the skin over the reconstructed area can become more sensitive to touch, but it won’t be the same as it was before surgery.
An important part of breast reconstruction surgery is to explore with your doctors all the options possible and gather as much information as possible from your doctor and surgeon.
