What is Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction surgery rebuilds or reshapes the breast following a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) or a lumpectomy (the removal of a part of the breast to remove a tumour). There are two main techniques used in breast reconstruction:
- Implant reconstruction – inserting a silicone or saline implant; and
- Autologous (skin flap) surgery uses tissue from another part of the body.
Some reconstructions use a combination of both techniques for the best results.
Losing one or both breasts to a mastectomy can be tough. Breast reconstruction surgery can restore not only your shape but your self-confidence too. Anxiety, depression, or loss of self-confidence after a mastectomy are valid reasons for this procedure.
Today, most traditional mastectomies are skin-sparing. Here the surgeon removes all breast tissue and glands but preserves the skin and some of the fat layer. The result is a more natural-looking reconstruction with less scarring.
Breast reconstruction can start during the same procedure as the mastectomy. However, the procedure can also wait until after the mastectomy has healed, and other cancer treatments are finished.
An alternative option to rebuilding your breast shape is Aesthetic Flat Closure.
What is Aesthetic Flat Closure?
Aesthetic flat closure is post-mastectomy chest wall reconstruction. After the breast tissue has been removed during the mastectomy, additional work is required to smooth and contour the chest wall. Excess skin is removed, and the clean symmetric incisions are neatly closed to create a smooth, flat chest.
This reconstruction of the chest wall can be done at the same time as the mastectomy. However, aesthetic flat closure can also be done at a later stage or after an implant removal.