Breast reconstruction surgery is usually performed on women who have lost breast tissue due to cancer treatments

 
Breast reconstruction surgery is a procedure designed to restore the shape of the breast after a mastectomy or a lumpectomy.



One kind of breast reconstruction surgery is the skin expansion. This is performed after a mastectomy has been performed. A balloon expander is inserted under the chest muscle by the surgeon.

Periodically, a salt-water solution is injected into the balloon in order to help stretch the skin. This process occurs over several months. A permanent implant is inserted once the skin has stretched enough. Implants are silicone based. The nipple and areola may be reconstructed following this surgery.

Another type of breast reconstruction surgery is a flap reconstruction. In one type of surgery, a skin flap is created using tissue from other part of the body like abdomen, buttocks or the back. This is inserted in the breast area. In another type of skin flap surgery, the tissues being used are not cut away from the origin, but remain there. This flap consists of skin, fat, muscle tissue and a blood supply is channeled to the chest beneath the skin. This creates a pocket for an implant, or creates the breast mount.



The scars produced by this surgery will lighten and become less visible over time, but they will never fade. Bleeding and fluid collection are common risks to all surgeries, however they are rare. The most common problem with breast reconstruction surgery is capsular contraction. This occurs if the implant is not accepted well, and the tissue around it begins to contract. This can be treated with another surgery or the removal of the scar tissue.



The average cost of this surgery is $2500.



There are many options available for breast reconstruction surgery. Be sure to discuss all your options with your doctor and surgeon before proceeding.