Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy

Getting a mastectomy is often a life-changing and possibly traumatic event. It’s the step required to preserve your health and keep you cancer-free. Therefore, if you’ve undergone a mastectomy, it makes sense if you feel sad, lonely or anxious. However, there is a solution: breast reconstruction. Many celebrities such as Angelina Jolie have decided to do it and remain healthy. So for that reason, here are some breast reconstruction facts that you might like to know if you’re planning this procedure. 

Always consult your doctor beforehand 

The good news is, most women are actually eligible for the procedure. However, some women temporarily won’t be. Since breast reconstruction is a healing process, some women won’t be ready, which is why they have to wait. However, if this happens to you, then feel free to meet with a plastic surgeon and discuss your options. You might want to reconstruct the breast at the same time you do a mastectomy. But in order to do that, you need to consult your doctor first.

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You might need more than one procedure 

If you’re looking to get breast reconstruction, it might be necessary to have more than one procedure. Reconstructive surgery is often more than a one-and-done procedure. This is due to the fact that this type of surgery takes the muscle from your chest that isn’t removed during the mastectomy itself. The first procedure would be mastectomy and expanding the tissue under the muscles of the chest. 

This might need a series of expansions in order to stretch the skin and muscles to make a pocket. The second surgery would be removing those expanders and inserting the breast implants in. There's also a third surgery which is all about reconstructing the nipples. The surgeon is building an entirely new nipple using body tissue or skin from a donor. However, it’s important to mention that you might not need every stage done since every woman is different. 

Implants require upkeep 

There’s this popular myth that states that once you put in implants, you won’t be required to replace them, ever. However, that’s wrong. Breast implants usually last from 10 to 15 years, which means that after that, you’ll have to replace them or take them out. 

If you’ve been through a mastectomy recently, and you live in Australia, specifically Victoria, then consider getting the best breast implants from Melbourne. When you’re undergoing this procedure, it is crucial to ensure you’re being treated by a renowned surgeon with a lot of years of experience under their belt. Also, the implants should look and feel natural, in order to make the post-mastectomy transition as smooth as possible. 

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You might need to check your health regardless

Another myth says that breast cancer cannot be detected under implants. The truth is, there is no substantial evidence that claims this. You'll be required to undergo regular checkups, especially if you’re a former breast cancer sufferer. Even if you’ve had a mastectomy, you’ll need to do regular surveillance for the rest of your life. Also, keep in mind that for every medical professional, cancer prevention and therapy are the absolute priority, so breast reconstruction will always take second place compared to actual breast cancer treatment. 

Always do an in-depth research 

There are many types of breast implants available, so it is up to you to get informed and do in-depth research. Some implants might cause health issues, especially if you’re allergic to the material they’re made of. Hence, make sure to ask around, read the reviews and look out for trustworthy recommendations. When undergoing breast reconstruction surgery, it’s also essential to know what to expect out of the procedure itself. This will give you a more realistic overview, plus you’ll be more pleased with the final result. 

Conclusion 

There is life after mastectomy, and breast reconstruction surgery is the best and most practical way to go forward. You deserve to live your best cancer-free life, and feeling beautiful is a big part of that. After a while, you’ll get used to your new look, and you’ll feel happy and healthy in your skin again.