Let Breast Reconstruction Surgery Help You to Heal
Overcoming breast cancer and other breast-related illnesses can be a difficult battle, both emotionally and physically. Following a mastectomy, many women feel the absence of their breasts very sharply. While many of these cancer survivors have the option of an immediate reconstruction surgery, others are not eligible for back-to-back surgeries. For these women, a breast reconstruction consultation can open the door to a new way to heal your body, inside and out.
What Is Breast Reconstruction?
A breast reconstruction surgery is performed after a breast or a part of the breast has been removed, a common situation cancer patients experience. It can be performed in conjunction with a mastectomy so the patient ways up with new breasts already in place or it can be performed weeks, months, or years later. Most patients, however, prefer to have a breast reconstruction done as soon as possible. There are two different varieties of breast reconstruction: skin expansion and flap reconstruction.
Skin expansion, the most common breast reconstruction method, begins with the insertion of a balloon behind the chest muscle. Saltwater is then injected through a small valve mechanism, little by little over an extended period of time. As the balloon grows, it stretches the skin to prepare it for an implant. Once the area has been stretched enough, the implant can be placed and the surgery completed.
Flap reconstruction is another method that can be used. For this method, skin is collected from other areas of the body, such as the buttocks, back, abdomen, and parts of the chest. The skin is then tunneled to the chest, underneath the skin. It is then used to create a mound or to make a pocket for an implant. Both the flap reconstruction and skin expansion methods can create natural-looking results for patients.
Who Is a Candidate for Breast Reconstruction?
Candidates for breast reconstruction are typically women who have recently undergone a mastectomy. This is a surgical procedure, often performed to eradicate cancerous cells, that removes breast tissue. Some breast cancer patients must have both tissue removed from just one breast, while others lose tissue from both at once. Thanks to the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, insurance carriers in the United States are required to cover the costs of breast restoration procedures after a mastectomy. Whether one or both breasts must be restored, the breast reconstruction procedure can create new breasts with implants and/or skin tissue that are natural and even.
Women seeking breast reconstruction should have completed their other cancer treatments at the time of their surgery. They should otherwise be in good general health and be emotionally ready to make the next big step in their cancer recovery. Through consultation with a plastic surgeon, patients should also be able to have a clear understanding of the procedure and reasonable expectations for their results.
Can Breast Reconstructive Make an Emotional Difference?
The breasts are not a medically necessary part of the body, and yet medical insurance is required to cover procedures used to restore the breasts following a mastectomy. Why would a cosmetic procedure be covered at all? The answer is simple: restoring the breasts after a woman’s battle with breast cancer can have a huge emotional impact on the patient. Studies have shown that cancer survivors who receive breast reconstruction show a marked improvement in their psychological health. Patients typically experience improvements to their social wellbeing, their sell-esteem, and their self-image. The breasts are an essential part of a woman’s personal image and femininity. When a devastating diagnosis and surgery takes away this piece of a woman’s body, plastic surgery can make big strides toward regaining a woman’s self-confidence.
Consult With the Right Surgeon for Your Reconstruction
At Weniger Plastic Surgery, Frederick G. Weniger, M.D., F.A.C.S. provides his patients with years of experience and knowledge during one-on-one consultations regarding the surgeries and nonsurgical treatments available at their practice. Dr. Weniger is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He believes good information lies at the heart of success in all of his surgeries and interactions with his patients.
To schedule a consultation for any aesthetic surface or other procedure contact the office of Weniger Plastic Surgery today at (843) 757-0123. They are located at 350 Fording Island, Suite 200 in Blufton, South Carolina.