There are many different breast reconstruction options available, and it is important to fully understand your options so that you can make an informed decision. You will have many questions if you are considering breast reconstruction surgery, and while we have outlined some of the more commonly asked questions, Fairfield County plastic surgery Dr. David Passaretti can answer all of your breast reconstruction questions at his Darien, CT, practice.
Breast Reconstruction FAQs
There are a variety of different breast reconstruction options available, which can be customized to meet your individual needs. The options available through Dr. Passaretti include implants, DIEP flap, TRAM flap, and latissimus flap, as well as nipple reconstruction.
Patients should be cancer-free at the time of reconstruction and be in good health overall. A consultation with Dr. Passaretti can help you determine which procedure is right for you.
Breast reconstruction surgery offers numerous emotional and physical benefits. You will likely feel more confident and enjoy a restored sense of femininity, and alleviated anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem that often results following cancer and breast loss. Your natural curves will be restored for a more feminine figure, and your breasts will be more symmetrical and can look and feel very natural.
Thanks to the many advances in technology and surgical techniques, breast reconstruction surgery can create a breast that looks and feels very natural. While flap procedures tend to look and feel the most natural out of all the options, a skilled surgeon such as Dr. Passaretti can make implants look just as natural, and can also perform nipple reconstruction for additional enhancement.
Yes, it is common for a woman to wait several months or years following her mastectomy to have her breast reconstruction procedure completed. You may, however, require treatment with a tissue expander to achieve the best results.
For more extensive treatment, such as with trap procedures, you will not be able to return to full activity for at least six weeks. If you undergo an abdominal flap procedure, you will also not be able to lift anything over 10 pounds for the first few weeks after surgery.
You may need to take several weeks off work following your breast reconstruction surgery. Additionally, many of the procedures require multiple surgeries and recovery periods. The total amount of time you will need to recover will vary based on the specific procedure you choose and your body’s own healing process.
