Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is surgery to rebuild a breast's shape after a mastectomy. It cannot give a woman back her breast - a reconstructed breast does not have natural sensations. However, the surgery offers a result that looks like a breast. Most women who had breast reconstruction are glad they did.

In breast reconstruction, a surgeon forms a breast mound by using an implant or tissues from the belly, back or buttocks. Implants are silicone sacs filled with salt water or silicone gel. The type of reconstruction you get depends on your body type, age and cancer treatment.

Breast reconstruction takes more than one surgery. Extra steps may include:

Adding a nipple
Changing the shape or size of the reconstructed breast
Operating on the opposite breast for a better match

National Cancer Institute

Breast Reconstruction on Wikipedia

'''Breast reconstruction''' is the rebuilding of a breast, usually in woman. It involves using existing flesh or prosthesis material to construct a natural-looking breast. Often this even includes the reformation of a natural-looking areola and nipple. This procedure may involve the use of breast implant.

Overview

Though this procedure was recently out of the question after surgery procedures such as mastectomy, this type of cosmetic surgery is becoming more common. Though most health plans cover the cost for this operation in the United States, some do not, considering it to be cosmetic; paying for this procedure oneself may be very costly. However, most plans do cover this procedure as the cost may outweigh the converse cost of Psychotherapy for the individual as they try to cope with the emotional adjustment of losing a breast. For individuals who have undergone a mastectomy due to cancer, they are only eligible for this procedure if the disease was eliminated due to the breast removal. It is possible for this procedure to be carried out immediately following the mastectomy, so the individual awakes with the newly formed breast already in place. As with many other procedures, those with high blood pressure, obesity individuals or those who smoking are poor candidates for this operation. Breast reconstruction is a large undertaking. Most procedures take several operations. Sometimes these follow-up surgeries are spread out over weeks or months. If an implant is used, the individual runs the same risks and complications as those who use them for breast augmentation.

Techniques

There are many methods for breast reconstruction. The two most common are: *'''Skin expansion''' By far the most common method, the surgeon inserts a small balloon expander beneath the skin and periodically, over weeks or months, injects a saline ... [ Read More ]

External Resources

ContourMed - Sales of custom prosthesis which offer women a revolutionary non-surgical alternative to reconstructive breast surgery.

Mentor Corporation - Develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products such as breast implants, skin and tissue expanders and facial and dermal implants for the medical specialties of plastic and reconstructive surgery. (Nasdaq: MNTR).

Laboratoires Arion specialist in breast implants - Reconstruction and aesthetic surgery in breast implants fields, creator and producer of the breast implants monobloc hydrogel cmc, silicone breast prosthesis monobloc and saline breast implants monobloc.

La Muffin's Breast Cancer - Given the diagnosis at age 41. Discusses treatment and reconstruction, and presents favored links.

First World Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - A-Z cosmetic procedure guide. Anonymous breast augmentation and face-lift surgery plus other procedures. Plettenberg Bay.

Rose Clinic - Specialists in reconstructive plastic surgery, breast implants, surgeon referral, blepharoplasty, and chemical peel. Cape Town.

Institute of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery - Institute for cosmetic and reconstrucive surgery based in England, UK. A number of procedures which include breast reduction, and liposuction.

Spartanburg Plastic Surgery P.A. - Dr. Magdy A. Habib, a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast augmentation, facial aesthetic, and body contouring.

Lowcountry Plastic Surgery Center - Plastic surgeon, John Hensel, MD, provides information about cosmetic surgery, breast reconstruction, breast implants, Obagi skin care and patient financing. Charleston.

Dr. Joseph W. Rucker Jr. MD - F.A.C.S - Services include liposuction, breast reduction, breast enlargement, rhinoplasty, facelifts, and reconstructive surgery. Stillwater.

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