Breast Reconstruction – Recovery breast

Description of breast reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction – plastic surgery to rebuild the breast. It is usually performed after a mastectomy (removal of the breast), performed for the treatment of cancer.

Reconstruction Breast, usually, It requires several steps. The first step may be performed during mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or at some point after mastectomy (delayed reconstruction). Breast reconstruction can be done using implants or tissue expansion, which operate in conjunction with the placement of the implant. The reconstruction of the mammary gland can also be carried out using a flap of fabric, from another part of the body.

Reasons for the reconstruction of the breast

The purpose of the reconstruction is to restore the breast, which should look like natural as much as possible.

Possible complications of breast reconstruction

Complications are rare, but the procedure does not guarantee the absence of risk. If the breast reconstruction is planned, you need to know about possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding;
• Infection;
• Pain;
• Anomalous scarring;
• Soreness and/or limited movements of the arm and shoulder;
• The unequal size of the chest;
• The implant can harden, burst or a leak;
• Implant may make it difficult to detect cancer (at mammography And/or self -examination);
• Recently reconstructed breasts are not sensitive enough;
• The need for more operations, Including implant removal.

Some factors, that may increase the risk of complications:

• Obesity;
• Smoking;
• Coagulation failure;
• Malnutrition;
• Chronic disease or disorder (eg, Heart Disease, Pulmonary Disease);
• Radiation therapy in the chest area (It can complicate the operation);
• Chemotherapy.

Breast silicone implants are not intended for installation for life. Usually, they must be removed during the 10 years.

How breast reconstruction is carried out?

Preparation for the procedure

Before restoration of the mammary gland, the doctor may be prescribed or the following:

• Medical checkup;
• Blood tests;
• Electrocardiogram – test, that records heart activity by measuring electrical current, passing through the heart muscle;
• Mammography.

Additionally before the operation:

• Tell your doctor about taking any medications, Including drugs, released without a recipe and various additives (eg, Ginkgo, Vitamin E). A week before surgery, perhaps, you need to stop taking certain drugs, such as aspirin. You may also need to stop taking blood -blooding medicines, such as warfarin or clopidogrel some time before surgery, since they increase the risk of bleeding;
• We need to organize a trip for the operation and back home;
• Need to arrange assistance at home after the procedure;
• The night before, you can have a light meal. Do not eat and do not drink for the night on the eve of the operation;
• In the morning before the procedure, you may be invited to take a shower with antibacterial soap.

Anesthesia

During the reconstruction of the breast, general anesthesia, that supports the patient in sleep.

Description of the reconstruction procedure of breasts

Implantation

After you fall asleep and will not feel pain, A breathing tube will be placed in the throat.

Implant is a simple form of breast reconstruction. The procedure can be performed during mastectomy, if the skin remains enough on the chest. The direct procedure of reconstruction of the mammary gland includes an implant insert in the area of the breast tissues. The implant consists of a silicone shell, filled with sterile salt water (saline solution) Or silicone gel. Various materials can also be used to improve the appearance of the reconstructed breast, For example, Alloderm (material, consisting of proteins (colenen, elastin) human skin and having its structure).

This type of reconstruction can provide an improved appearance of the chest, without resorting to the use of a skin transplant and a change in muscle tissue.

Reconstruction in two stages is carried out, if there is a remotely a lot of skin and tissue of the chest wall. A fabric extensor is placed under the skin (Temporary implant), The skin closes. The expander can be filled with a special solution. For several weeks, the extensor gradually with the help of a syringe is filled with salt water. Skin, Closing bag slowly expands, when the bag increases in size. Some doctors leave the extensor on the spot, As a finished implant. In another case, the tissue expand is replaced by an implant with a physiological solution or silicone gel. This replacement requires additional operations.

If you want to change the size, form, Nipple and Areola color, another operation may be necessary. The nipple can be restored using local fabrics. Areola can be restored using the skin of the inner thigh surface. Correct coloring is achieved by applying a tattoo.

The method of folding fabric

More complex types of breast reconstruction are associated with the use of muscles and skin flaps from the abdomen, back or other parts of the body.

The procedure of the folding sash of the cross -rectum abdominal muscle (Trip) To create the shape of the breast uses tissues and muscles of the lower abdomen, which are transplanted into the chest area. Skin is used for transplantation, fat, blood vessels and abdominal muscles. There are two types of tram:

• The transplant flap remains connected to the blood vessels of the abdomen;
• The free flap is completely cut off from its original place of location and is connected to blood vessels in the chest area using microsurgery. New advanced methods can reduce complications and recovery time.

Other breast reconstruction procedures include:

• Operation using a gluteal free flap – The fabric is taken from the buttocks and is used, To form a chest shape. New advanced methods can reduce complications and recovery time;
• Operation using a flap of the widest back muscle – The skin and muscles are used from the upper back and under the skin are removed to the front of the chest.

Immediately after the reconstruction of the chest

After surgery, you will be directed to the recovery room for observation. Then you will be transferred to the hospital room for further restoration.

If the tissue expand was installed, It must be periodically added to it an additional salt solution.

How long will the breast reconstruction take?

About 2-6 hours.

Breast Reconstruction – Will it hurt?

Anesthesia prevents pain during surgery. You can experience pain after surgery and during the healing process. After the operation, the doctor will provide painkillers to relieve pain.

The average duration of hospitalization after breast reconstruction

The operation usually requires up to a week in the hospital, If it is performed in conjunction with mastectomy. Your doctor may prolong hospitalization, if there were complications.

Care after breast reconstruction

You may need drugs against nausea and pain. Nausea can be felt within a few hours after surgery and will not allow you to eat normally. Therefore, power can be carried out through a dropper. For several days after surgery, perhaps, you need to consume soft products and liquids;
It is necessary to prevent the formation of blood clots. For this, after the operation, you need to wear special compression stockings. This will help reduce the likelihood of blood clots in the legs. It is also recommended to take regular walks;
To improve the function of the lungs, it can be proposed to use a stimulating spirometer. This device, which will help to breathe deeply. It is important to breathe deeply and often cough, to improve lung function after general anesthesia;
Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bathe or expose the surgical site to water.

When installing silicone implants, you need to regularly undergo an MRI to check the gaps or the presence of holes in the implant. Inspection, usually, It is carried out once a year in the first three years after the operation and every two years after that.

Communication with a doctor after breast reconstruction

After discharge from the hospital need to see a doctor, if there was any of the following symptoms of:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Redness, edema, strong pain, bleeding or discharge at the site;
• Pain, which does not pass after taking pain medication appointed;
• Nausea and / or vomiting, that do not pass after taking the prescribed medicines and persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital;
• Implants become tough or you think, that they flow;
• Joint pain, fatigue, constraint, rash or other painful symptoms;
• Pain and / or swelling of the legs, calves and feet, sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.