Breast reconstruction is a favoured procedure for many women who, due to cancer or other illness, have undergone breast removal (mastectomy), and wish to maintain their womanly figure. There are two basic reconstruction methods: –

1 Implant reconstruction, where an artificial implant is used for breast shape and    volume and

2 Tissue reconstruction, where tissue taken from other areas of the body is used to    create the breast tissue.

Breast reconstruction using an implant is designed for women who want a less invasive option. Often, surgeons performing the mastectomy can place the one-stage expander and prosthesis into the breast pocket at the time of surgery. The expander is then filled with saline solution over a period of time to assist in expanding the tissue gradually. Once the required size is achieved, the surgeon will reconstruct the areola and the expansion is complete.

The alternate tissue reconstruction option is for women who do not want any foreign material in their bodies. In this case, a surgeon will take tissue either from the woman’ s back or stomach and recreate a new breast from the tissue. This procedure is more invasive than the expansion method but does not involve having something foreign in the body.

How does it work?
Implant reconstruction involves a surgeon inserting a pre-formed silicone or saline solution breast implant that matches your desired dimensions under the skin of the removed breast. Where skin is pulled tight after a mastectomy, the surgeon may find it necessary to use a skin expander, often called a balloon expander, to stretch the skin out enough for it to accommodate the implant.

Tissue reconstruction requires no artificial implant. Instead, tissue and skin is taken from other areas of the body, such as the back, abdomen and buttocks, and reconstructed as a breast mound beneath the skin of the removed breast. This type of procedure, known as flap reconstruction, is generally regarded as more complex and is likely to leave several prominent scars around the body.

How long does surgery take?
If implant reconstruction takes place immediately after a mastectomy, then the operation is swift, adding perhaps half an hour to an hour onto the time it takes for the mastectomy operation itself. The entire procedure may take 2-3 hours under general anaesthetic. An overnight hospital stay is required.

Tissue reconstruction is more complex, and may require several different operations lasting 1 – 3 hours under general anaesthetic if tissue and skin are to be taken from different areas of the body. An overnight hospital stay is required.

What is the recovery time?
This varies widely depending upon the type of surgery undertaken. Full recovery from implant reconstruction is likely to take 6-8 weeks. Recovery from tissue reconstruction may take a
longer.

How long will it last?
Breast reconstruction is permanent, although there will naturally be some change in the appearance of the breast over time.

Are there any side effects?
Breast reconstruction surgery carries with it risks and side effects common to any operation. Soreness, bleeding and infection of scar tissue are all possible, but should you elect for breast reconstruction immediately following the mastectomy then the risks and side effects are minimised purely because you are having one operation instead of two.

Reconstruction itself using either an artificial implant or tissue mound poses no known side effects, although it is important to realise that while every effort is made to make your breast as life-like as possible, it will not be a perfect replica of the breast removed. It is also worth noting that breast reconstruction surgery requires patients to have a general anaesthetic, the effects of which may cause nauseous ness and vomiting

To view breast reconstruction before and after photographs please click here