Breast Reconstruction in Birmingham AL

Breast Reconstruction Candidates

You may be a candidate for breast reconstruction if:

• You are able to cope well with your diagnosis and treatment.
• You do not have additional medical conditions or other illnesses that may impair healing.
• You have a positive outlook and realistic goals for restoring your breast and body image.

Although breast reconstruction can rebuild your breast, the results are highly variable:

• A reconstructed breast will not have the same sensation or feel as the breast it replaces.
• Visible incision lines will always be present on the breast, whether from reconstruction or mastectomy.
• Certain surgical techniques will leave incision lines at the donor site, commonly located in less exposed areas of the body such as the back, abdomen or buttocks.

Breast reconstruction often involves multiple procedures performed in stages, beginning at the time of mastectomy or delayed.

If only one breast is affected, it alone may be reconstructed. In addition, a breast lift or breast augmentation may be recommended for the opposite breast to improve symmetry of the size, shape and position of both breasts.

Your Breast Reconstruction Consultation

During your breast reconstruction consultation, be prepared to discuss:

• Your surgical goals.
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments.
• Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drug use.
• Previous surgeries.

Your breast reconstruction plastic surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors.
• Examine your breasts and take measurements of their size and shape, skin quality and placement of nipples and areolas.
• Take photographs for your medical records.
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment.
• Discuss likely outcomes of breast reconstruction and any risks or potential complications.
• Answer any questions you have about your breast reconstruction.

Breast Reconstruction Risks and Safety

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the relevant risks associated with your specific surgery. You may be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedures you will undergo and any risks or potential complications. The decision to pursue breast reconstruction does not change your risk of breast cancer recurrence.

The possible risks of breast reconstruction include, but are not limited to, bleeding, infection, poor healing of incisions and anesthesia risks. You should feel free to ask any questions to help you understand the risks.

Patients should also be aware that:

• Flap surgery includes the risk of partial or complete loss of the flap and a loss of sensation at both the donor and reconstruction site.
• Breast implants carry the risk of breast firmness (capsular contracture), implant rupture and other risks associated with breast implants.
• Acellular dermal matrix products may have a higher chance for complications or problems.

Preparing for Breast Reconstruction

In preparing for breast reconstruction surgery, you may be asked to:

• Get lab testing or a medical evaluation.
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.

Surgery for your breast reconstruction is most often performed in a hospital setting, possibly including a short hospital stay. Your doctor will likely use general anesthesia. Some follow-up procedures may be performed on an outpatient basis with the use of local anesthesia with sedation. These decisions will be based on the requirements of your specific procedure and in consideration of your preferences and your doctor's best judgment.

Breast Reconstruction Procedure

Breast reconstruction surgery is performed using intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you.

Breast Reconstruction Recovery

Following your breast reconstruction surgery, gauze or bandages may be applied to your incisions. An elastic bandage or support bra will minimize swelling and support the reconstructed breast. A small, thin tube may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid.

Your plastic surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself after surgery. Following these instructions is essential to the success of your breast reconstruction. The instructions may include:

• How to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery.
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection.
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health.
• When to follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

Healing will continue for several weeks while swelling decreases and breast shape/position improve. Continue to follow your plastic surgeon's instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience shortness of breath, chest pains or unusual heartbeats after going home. You may require hospitalization and additional treatment if any of these complications occur.

The surgical incisions should not be subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the time of healing.

Breast Reconstruction Results

The final results of breast reconstruction can help lessen the physical and emotional impact of mastectomy. Most women feel that any trade-offs are small compared to their quality of life improvement and the ability to look and feel whole.

Over time, some breast skin sensation may return and scar lines will improve, although they will never disappear complet ely. Careful monitoring of breast health through self-exam and other diagnostic techniques is essential to your long-term health.

Although good results are expected from your breast reconstruction, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure, and additional procedures may be necessary.

Breast Reconstruction Words to Know

• Areola: Pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
• Breast augmentation: Surgical breast enlargement, or augmentation mammaplasty.
• Breast lift: Surgery to lift the breasts, or mastopexy.
• Breast reduction: Reduction of breast size and breast lift by surgery.
• Capsular contracture: A complication of breast implant surgery which occurs when scar tissue that normally forms around the implant tightens and squeezes the implant and becomes firm.
• DIEP flap: Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator flap, which transfers skin and fat from the abdomen.
• Donor site: An area of your body where the surgeon harvests skin, fat and muscle to reconstruct your breast, commonly located in less exposed areas of the body such as the back, abdomen or buttocks.
• Fat grafting: A surgical technique that transfers fat obtained by liposuction to enhance breast reconstruction by adding volume under the skin.
• Flap (autologous) techniques: Surgical techniques used to reposition your own skin, fat and muscle to reconstruct or cover your breast.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
• Hematoma: Blood pooling beneath the skin.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Latissimus dorsi flap: A surgical technique that uses muscle, fat and skin tunneled under the skin and tissue of a woman's back to the reconstructed breast and remains attached to its donor site, leaving blood supply intact.
• Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
• Mastectomy: The removal of the whole breast, typically to rid the body of cancer.
• PAP flap: Profunda Artery Perforator flap, which transfers skin and fat from the upper thigh.
• SGAP flap: Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator flap, which transfers skin and fat from the buttock.
• SIEA flap: Superficial Inferior Epigastric Artery flap, which transfers skin and fat from the abdomen.
• Tissue expansion: A surgical technique to stretch your own healthy tissue and create new skin to provide coverage for a breast implant.
• TRAM flap: Transverse Rectus Abdominis Musculocutaneous flap, a surgical technique that uses muscle, fat and skin from your own abdomen to reconstruct the breast.
• TUG flap: Transverse Upper Gracilis flap, which transfers skin, fat and muscle from the inner thigh.