One in every eight American women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at some point in her life. For many of these affected women, treatment will require a mastectomy or double mastectomy to remove the breast(s) and fully eliminate the cancerous tissue from the body. While this treatment may heal the body, it can be traumatizing and may lead to intense emotional pain. If you’ve had or will have your breast(s) removed as treatment for breast cancer, breast reconstruction can help you find healing and closure and also give you back your womanly figure.
The Choices Available to You
There are two choices available to you for your breast reconstruction: autologous reconstruction or implant reconstruction. Autologous breast reconstruction harvests tissue from your abdomen (called a TRAM flap) or back (called a Lat flap) to rebuild the breast form. The autologous approach may be best for healthier patients who are having a single mastectomy. Implant reconstruction is a two-stage procedure. In the first stage of the surgery, a tissue expander is temporarily placed after the mastectomy to prepare the breast for a permanent implant. Several months later, in the second stage of the surgery, the tissue expander is replaced with a permanent breast implant. This approach may be best for patients who have a double mastectomy or who desire a shorter recovery. Our surgeons can help you decide which procedure will be best for your needs.
The Benefits of Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction reforms the removed breast(s) so that women can reclaim their feminine figures. Dr. Oliver and Dr. Jack at our Birmingham practice use advanced surgical techniques, technologies, and devices to produce the best aesthetic results with breast reconstruction. The final steps in your breast reconstruction will include nipple reconstruction and may also include permanent medical tattooing to recreate the appearance of the areola, fat grafting to correct contour irregularities, and even nipple-sparing mastectomies in appropriate patients. With breast reconstruction, you can experience the closure you deserve and retain your feminine, womanly body shape after breast cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you or someone close to you suffers from breast cancer, breast reconstruction can provide emotional healing and restore breasts that have been surgically removed as part of your cancer treatment. To learn more about this procedure, schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Oliver or Dr. Jack. Both of our surgeons have extensive training, experience, and sensitivity in performing breast reconstruction. To schedule your appointment, please call (205) 298-8660 today or fill out our online contact form at your convenience.