After Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction patients should know what to expect after their initial surgery is complete. In many cases, breast reconstruction surgery cannot be completed in one procedure. After the new breast mound has been formed, many women choose to have a second breast cancer reconstruction surgery to reconstruct their nipple and areola.

What to Expect after Breast Cancer Reconstruction

It takes approximately six weeks for women to fully recover after breast reconstruction surgery. During this time, such strenuous physical activities as sports and intercourse are not advised. It is important to keep in mind, however, that healing time is dependant upon the individual.

After breast cancer reconstruction, patients will experience moderate discomfort and pain, as well as bruising, swelling, and itching. It is normal for the new breast to have little, if any, feeling. Instead, patients often feel an itchy or numb sensation at the site of the surgery. In addition, if a flap breast reconstruction is performed, there is the possibility that patients will experience numbness or a partial loss of feeling at the site of tissue transfer, although your doctor will do the best he or she can to avoid this. Also, flap breast cancer reconstruction has a longer healing time than implant reconstruction because more than one area of the body must heal from the surgery. In DIEP flap and TRAM flap procedures, the abdominal region will be affected. Latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction surgery affects the upper back, and gluteal flap reconstruction surgery affects the buttocks.

A possible risk of breast reconstruction with implants is infection. When an infection occurs, it usually becomes evident the first two weeks after surgery and can often be cleared up by antibiotics. In rare cases, it is necessary to remove the implant in order for the infection to heal. If this is the case, the reconstruction surgery will need to be performed at a later date.

Follow-up Procedures

You will be asked to schedule follow-up appointments with your doctor after your procedure. These visits will help your plastic surgeon track your breast reconstruction recovery. Your plastic surgeon may also recommend secondary reconstruction procedures, such as nipple reconstruction. Not all women choose to have their nipple and areola reconstructed, but for some women this is an important part of the reconstruction process.

Implant Placement

If breast cancer reconstruction surgery using saline breast implants or silicone breast implants is the technique of choice, the reconstruction process will likely include several steps. In most cases, a tissue expander will need to be used in order to stretch the area to accommodate an implant. Over the course of several weeks or months, your doctor will add fluid to the balloon-like expander to gradually increase its size, until the balloon is eventually replaced with a permanent breast implant via breast reconstruction surgery. Patients have reported some discomfort during the time that the balloon is being filled with liquid and can expect moderate pain and recovery time after they receive their permanent implants.

For some patients, a permanent balloon can be inserted, which acts as both a tissue expander and a breast implant. Your doctor will discuss which option is best for you.

Nipple Reconstruction

There are several ways that a nipple can be reconstructed. For the most realistic results, your plastic surgeon can construct a nipple and areola from your own tissue. Or, he or she can tattoo a pigmented area onto your new breast, giving the appearance of a nipple and areola (because the breast mound has little to no feeling, getting a tattooed nipple is essentially painless). There are also removable nipples that can be applied and detached whenever you’d like. Though all breast cancer reconstructions are unique and individual expectations vary, it is important for all patients to remember that improvement, not perfection, is the goal of breast reconstruction surgery.

Refining the Natural Breast

Women who undergo breast cancer reconstruction surgery for one breast sometimes want to have their natural breast refined as well. Receiving implants in both the reconstructed and the natural breast can lead to greater symmetry and more satisfying breast reconstruction results.

It is impossible to make a breast mound that is identical to the remaining breast. However, refining both areas can result in breasts that are more uniform in appearance and texture. Implants tend to be firmer and fuller than natural breasts; conversely, natural breasts tend to droop more than reconstructed breasts. Undergoing treatments in both areas can help address these inconsistencies. However, refining the natural breast is by no means a requirement of breast reconstruction surgery.

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DocShop can help you locate a plastic surgeon in your area that can perform breast reconstruction surgery. Keep browsing to learn more about breast cancer reconstruction and how it has helped many women regain a sense of femininity and well-being.