Breast Reconstruction


Introduction

Breast reconstruction following a mastectomy due to cancer or other disease is one of the most evolved surgical procedures available today. New medical techniques and devices have made it possible for your surgeon to create a breast that will look surprisingly close to the natural breast tissue.


Ideal Candidates

Almost every mastectomy patient is medically appropriate for reconstruction and federal law has made it mandatory that health insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover the costs of reconstructive surgery. Therefore, no woman should live out her life without reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy.

The best candidates are women whose cancer has been eliminated by the mastectomy. The ideal method is to visit with Dr. Soto before your initial surgery is done, because there are several options for reconstruction and evaluating these options before your initial surgery makes for better long-term results.

Dr. Soto will advise you to wait if you cannot tolerate anything more than the minimum surgery or if your cancer treatment prohibits immediate reconstruction. Even if you cannot have reconstruction immediately following your breast cancer surgery, being informed about your options can help you prepare for a mastectomy with a more positive outlook for the future.


How It's Done

After evaluating your health, Dr. Soto will explain which reconstructive options are most appropriate for your age, health, anatomy, tissues, and goals. Be sure to discuss your expectations and concerns with him. He will be equally honest with you, describing your options and the risks and limitations of each. Post-mastectomy reconstruction can improve your appearance and renew your self-confidence.

I do implant reconstructions, as well as the DIEP flap you are familiar with, that Aldonna does…


Recovery

You are likely to feel tired and sore for a week or two after reconstruction. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication. Some reconstruction options require a surgical drain to remove excess fluids from surgical sites immediately following the operation, but these are removed within the first week or two after surgery. Most stitches are removed in a week to 10 days.

It may take you up to six weeks to recover from a combined mastectomy and reconstruction or from a flap reconstruction alone. If implants are used without flaps and reconstruction is done apart from the mastectomy, your recovery time may be less.

Dr. Soto will advise you on when to begin stretching exercises and normal activities. As a general rule, you'll want to refrain from any overhead lifting, strenuous sports, and sexual activity for three to six weeks following reconstruction.

For mastectomy patients, breast reconstruction dramatically improves their appearance and quality of life following surgery. It’s important to keep in mind that breast implants are not permanent. If you receive silicone breast implants, we recommend an MRI about every two to three years, as any damage to a silicone implant will not be evident to you. We suggest that you visit us every year after implant surgery, so we can confirm that your implants are still functioning as they should. If they need to be replaced, it’s generally a simple procedure to do so.









All photos on this site are models or stock photos, not patients.