When to Talk About Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is a procedure in which a person's body can be transformed into a natural shape and size after having a procedure like a mastectomy. In many cases of cancer, women will lose some or all of their breast's tissues. When that happens, it is usually to help prevent the cancerous cells from spreading and to, in fact, cure the condition from your body. Yet, there are new treatments available and new procedures that allow many women to remain more of their natural self after doing battle with this disease.

Talk to Your Doctor

For those who are facing mastectomy, it is a good idea to talk to your surgeon about the procedure in full prior to making the decision to go forward. There are new procedures that allow for less loss of tissue and a more natural result after the procedure is complete. For example, some procedures allow for the skin and the nipple to remain after the tissues are removed. By doing this, the surgeon creates a new way to restore the tissues and recreate your natural looking breasts.

There are various types of breast reconstruction available to cosmetic surgeons today. Before you make the decision to have mastectomy, set up a consultation with a surgeon that performs these procedures to ask him or her about the options and about what will work in your individual case. Determine what the best result will be for you. The surgeon will talk to you about your options including the use of implants or the use of other tissues from other areas of your body.

This initial consultation is a good opportunity to ask questions and to get more information about the procedure as well as what it will mean for you going forward. This is also a good time to talk about options. Discuss the risks of any procedure, especially as it relates to your battle against cancer, so you fully understand what to expect before you go forward with the procedure. This initial consultation is a good time to get to know the surgeon too. You will want to feel comfortable working with him or her before going into the procedure.

For many people, breast reconstruction tends to be something to talk about after the mastectomy happens. However, that may be a mistake. Talk to your surgeon prior to it so you can begin to plan for the best way to overcome these changes. By planning to reconstruct prior to the procedure, you can ensure there is an opportunity for you to do so. Discuss your needs and desires with your surgeon and find out what your options really are.

There are many options for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. Consider all of them with a surgeon before making a decision: http://www.breastcenter.com/.

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DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction and Your Body

When it comes to chest enhancements, it is important for you to learn about the different procedures before proceeding. You don't have to get implants to get your bosom enhanced. There is a procedure known as DIEP flap breast reconstruction that can give you the same results but with a more realistic look and feel. This procedure is great for women who don't have enough chest tissue or have undergone surgery like a mastectomy. By removing tissue and fat from the lower abdominal area, your surgeon can recreate a natural, soft and realistic looking bosom. Removing tissue from the abdomen may seem odd, but think of it this way; you are getting a tummy tuck in the process.

When the surgeon is ready to place the tissue that is removed from the abdomen into the chest area, they have to also graft some of the blood vessels that were removed from the stomach into the chest area. Since this type of surgery is complex, it is considered to be microsurgery and it need to be performed with the aid of a microscope. This procedure is slightly different than its more traditional counterpart; the TRAM. In the TRAM procedure, a small portion of muscle is removed from the abdomen as well. This significantly increases the recovery time and discomfort level for the patient. Many women who have undergone DIEP flap breast reconstruction may notice that their recreated boobs are fuller and suppler than the ones they had naturally.

One of the most obvious perks about this kind of reconstructive surgery is that it offers women who have had their natural breasts removed emotional relief and many other psychological benefits. Since many women who have reconstructive surgery have undergone treatment for cancer or some other serious ailment, they don't have to worry about having an adverse reaction to implants or their body rejecting implants. DIEP flap breast reconstruction uses their own body tissue to recreate the chest.

The incision that is made in the abdomen area is actually made on the bikini line. This makes it easier to hide the scar beneath clothing. Depending on the type of reconstruction you are getting, your surgery can last up to 12 hours. After the procedure, it is necessary for you to remain in the hospital for a few days. This is so that your progress can be monitored and your chest flaps can be checked every hour. The reason the flaps need to be observed is to make sure that the reconstruction was a success and to enhance blood flow to the area. If all of your breast(s) were removed during the mastectomy, the boobs that are recreated initially do not have a nipple. You can have nipple reconstruction surgery several months after your DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgery. This procedure can be done in office and only takes a few hours. If you are considering getting DIEP flap breast reconstruction, talk to your surgeon and find out whether or not it is right for you.

A DIEP flap breast reconstruction procedure might be the perfect option to maintain the look and feel of your breasts following mastectomy. Find out if you're right for this surgery: http://www.breastcenter.com/.

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