BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Author: Dr Chia Hui Ling
Breast reconstruction is a series of plastic surgery procedures that attempts to rebuild and restore the look and feel of the breast after a mastectomy. There are two types of breast reconstruction: Implant Reconstruction and Own Tissue Reconstruction. Although breast reconstruction can rebuild your breast, there are certain limitations.
  • Your reconstructed breast will not look and feel exactly the same as the breast it replaces.
  • There will be visible incision lines on your breast as a result of the mastectomy and reconstruction.
  • The surgical techniques will also leave incision lines at the donor sites such as the back, abdomen or buttocks if you have had own tissue reconstruction.
  • Radiotherapy might affect the appearance of your reconstructed breast.
  • The reconstructed breast might not be symmetrical to the opposite breast in terms of size and position.
  • Reconstructed breasts don’t usually have nipples, but they can be created during surgery at a later day.
As with any surgical procedure, there are possible risks in breast reconstruction. As such, it is your personal decision to undergo breast reconstruction having considered the risks and potential complications.

The possible risks of breast reconstruction include, but are not limited to:
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Poor healing of incisions
  • Anaesthesia-related complications

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Is breast reconstruction the right choice for me?

    Besides a change in physical appearance, having a mastectomy can also affect a woman’s self-image and mental well-being. You may choose to have immediate breast reconstruction (IBR), delayed breast reconstruction (DBR) or no breast reconstruction. This is a personal decision and there is no right or wrong choice.

  • If I am removing my entire breast, what are my options for reconstruction?

    Reconstruction can be immediate (at the same time as the mastectomy) or delayed (at a later time). This depends on the characteristic and stage of the breast cancer. In many cases, immediate reconstruction is a reasonable and safe option.

  • If I am removing part of my breast (breast conservation or lumpectomy), do I need reconstruction?

    Depending on the extent of the breast removal, you might require reconstruction of the entire breast or reshaping of the remaining breast (oncoplastic surgery).

  • Will radiation therapy affect the outcome of my breast reconstruction?

    Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation to kill cancer cells or prevent them from growing. The way it is administered depends on the type and stage of cancer being treated. Radiation therapy following reconstruction with a breast prosthesis may affect the appearance of the breast or increase incidences of capsular fibrosis, pain or the need for implant removal.