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McGhori
In the struggle to overcome breast cancer, many women lose a valuable part of themselves to mastectomies, but breast reconstruction is a viable option for many.
In the struggle to overcome breast cancer, many women lose a valuable part of themselves to mastectomies. Thanks to breast reconstruction surgery, however, the change is neither permanent nor noticeable. For women who aspire to be complete again after the fight of their lives, it helps to learn about the procedure of breast reconstruction, how to find a plastic surgeon, and why other women are making the choice.
For the 56 percent of American breast cancer patients that received mastectomies, more than 76 percent had a number of plausible reasons to pursue the procedure. One patient featured on breastcancer.org struck a couple of major notes that echo throughout the post-mastectomy world of women:
In addition to fashion and forgetting, breast reconstruction surgery improves confidence, physical appeal, and even balance in women.
Upon making the decision to proceed with breast reconstruction surgery, the exact kind of procedures available varies on a number of determinants such as the extent of the mastectomy, patient preference, age, and other factors. The two general options involved with the surgery are implants and tissue flaps.
Offering permanence and a more realistic feel over their prosthetic counterparts, breast implants are silicone cups filled with fluid. More often than not, this fluid is a saline solution. For mastectomy patients who are eligible for immediate reconstruction, silicone breast implants may be added in the same session as the mastectomy. This is as simple as inserting the implant correctly after the breast has been removed.
Two-stage or delayed reconstruction is performed in the event that the patient does not have enough surrounding tissue to support silicone breast implants immediately following the mastectomy. Surgeons preparing a patient for delayed reconstruction will insert an expander under the chest tissues. They will then regularly expand the device by adding fluid, eventually reaching the needed capacity for an implant.
As it concerns tissue flap procedures, the main premise remains the same throughout: expendable tissues from other areas of the body that meet certain specifications are used to reconstruct lost breast tissue.
Two of the most common of these procedures are the Transverse Rectus Abdominus Flap and the Latissimus Dorsi Flap.
Transverse Rectus Abdominus Flaps use muscular tissue and skin from the lower abdomen to reconstruct breasts. There are two different kinds of Transverse Rectus Abdominus Flaps: Pedicle flap and Free flap. A Pedicle flap is moved to the breast under the skin, staying connected to its blood supply. A Free flap is complete extraction of tissue and placement at the breast, requiring reattachment of veins and arteries.
The Latissimus Dorsi or “lat” muscle of the middle and upper back can provide the necessary tissue to aid in breast reconstruction. In this procedure the tissue is transported to the chest cavity under the skin.
When searching for a plastic surgeon, the best way to honestly get to know their accreditations and experience is through reputable organizations that refer and recommend them. The ASPS or American Society of Plastic Surgeons, for example, offers a database teeming with board certified plastic surgeons. The society’s resources detail the qualifications, specialities, and services of all of their members.
Aside from associations and referrals, old-fashioned word of mouth is another vein of research that minimizes bias. Finding more than one testimonial of a particular surgeon’s work, however, when narrowing options, is highly recommended. Finally, assessing board certified plastic surgeons through personal interviews will illuminate past history of work, experience, and education.
Posted in: HEALTH
