Natural Breast Enhancement
How does a breast reconstruction work?
If you lose a breast, for example because of a disease like breast cancer, then as a woman you do not want your chest to return and look like a breast that is as natural as possible. But how does that all work?
Breast reconstruction: the operating possibilities
A breast reconstruction helps to restore the breast's appearance after a mastectomy. The procedure can be performed at the time of the mastectomy or at a later time. You choose together with the surgeon which type of reconstruction is best for you. Usually you have the choice between a synthetic implant or one of two surgeries, where your own tissue is used to reconstruct your breast. Or by means of a tissue flap from the large back muscle or from the abdominal muscle. The latter is also called a TRAM flap. For the procedure an intravenous infusion is made and an oral sedative can be given to help you relax. Breast reconstruction is performed under complete anesthesia
Breast reconstruction using a tissue flap from the large back muscle
With a tissue flap from the large back muscle, the surgeon makes an incision in the back of your back. The surgeon then loosens a piece of tissue and turns this tissue flap to the location of the breast implant.
Breast reconstruction using a tissue flap from the abdominal muscle
With a TRAM flap, the surgeon starts with an incision in the skin of the chest. The surgeon then makes an elliptical incision in the skin. The fat and muscle tissue of your abdominal wall or, if there is not enough tissue, in the lower back. The surgeon then scribes under your skin to the location of the mastectomy to form the breast mound. Care is taken to ensure that the blood supply to the reconstructed breast is maintained. Finally, the surgeon closes the wounds on your back or belly with sutures.
Breast reconstruction using a synthetic implant
The procedure for tissue flaps is the same. Whether this is done immediately after the mastectomy or at a later time. However, the synthetic implant procedure depends on the time of the reconstruction. If you choose to have the implantation carried out simultaneously with the mastectomy, the surgeon applies the implants immediately after removal of the breast tissue and closes the wound with sutures. If you choose to have your implant done later, it may be necessary to stretch your skin before the reconstruction can take place.
In this case, the surgeon re-opens the incision at the site of the mastectomy for the insertion of a balloon-like tissue extensor. Spread over a few weeks, the surgeon stretches the chest wall and skin by regularly injecting salt water into the tissue extractor. In a second operation, the surgeon makes a new incision. He removes the tissue extractor, inserts a permanent synthetic implant and closes the wound with sutures. After the operation, the breathing tube is removed and you are taken to the postoperative recovery room where you are monitored. For breast reconstruction, the patient is usually admitted to the hospital and most patients stay in the hospital for one to five days after the operation.
After the operation, the breathing tube is removed and you are taken to the postoperative recovery room where you are monitored. For breast reconstruction, the patient is usually admitted to the hospital and most patients stay in the hospital for one to five days after the operation.
The reconstruction of the nipple
After forming the breast you can choose whether you want the nipple and the areola reconstructed. This is a relatively easy procedure that can usually be performed in the doctor's office and lasts thirty to sixty minutes. There are several types of nipple reconstruction, but one common method is to remove tissue from the inside of your thigh or ear to form a small nipple-like elevation that can be tattooed to look more like a natural nipple and areola. This replacement nipple is fixed in the middle of the reconstructed chest.