If you have sustained trauma to your breasts from breast cancer treatment, accidents, benign tumors, or deformities, breast reconstruction surgery can restore the appearance of your breasts and help you obtain a silhouette that enhances your confidence. By preparing for breast reconstruction surgery ahead of time, you can reduce surgical complications or infections at the surgical site and achieve optimal surgical results.
The first step to obtaining ideal surgical outcomes is to schedule your breast reconstruction procedure with a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. A qualified plastic surgeon will meet with you to discuss your goals for plastic surgery and help you achieve results you feel satisfied with.
Preparing for breast reconstruction
When it comes to breast reconstruction surgery, there are several types of reconstruction that can be performed to help you attain your desired aesthetic. The type of reconstruction surgery performed will be based on the patient’s goals for surgery as well as the severity of breast trauma sustained.
The breast reconstruction process begins several months before the day of surgery. Because the existing breast tissue needs to be expanded to accommodate the new breast tissue, tissue expansion typically begins at the time of the mastectomy procedure.
After the mastectomy is complete, patients are given a tissue expander or suction system device. The type of medical device used to stretch the breast tissue depends on the type of breast reconstruction procedure being performed. After several weeks or months of use, the breast tissue has usually expanded sufficiently to accommodate reconstruction.
The most common types of breast reconstruction are achieved with one of the three techniques described below.
Breast implants
Inserting breast implants is the least invasive breast reconstruction method because it only involves one surgical site. Either silicone or saline breast implants can be used for breast reconstruction procedures. Your plastic surgeon can help you determine the best type of implant to help you reach your aesthetic goals. Breast tissue expanders are typically used to prepare for breast reconstruction surgery with breast implants.
Fat transfers
If you have asymmetrical breasts due to breast trauma from a lumpectomy or other partial trauma, a fat transfer procedure may be performed to restore your breast appearance and symmetry. Fat is harvested from areas with excess fat using liposuction and injected into the breast. In some cases, fat transfer procedures require several sessions to achieve optimal results. An external suction device is used to expand the breast tissue while maintaining blood flow to the breasts.
Autologous reconstruction
Autologous reconstruction is the most complex breast reconstruction technique, but it typically yields excellent aesthetic results. Autologous reconstruction uses existing tissue from various areas of the body to restore breast appearance and is a helpful technique for breast reconstruction revision procedures or breast reconstruction procedures that have been delayed.
Surgery can be scheduled once the breast reconstruction technique has been determined and the breast tissue has been expanded, if necessary. You may want to wear loose-fitting clothes to your procedure and ask a companion to come with you, since you will require monitoring and transportation after your procedure. Depending on the surgical technique used, breast reconstruction surgery can take anywhere from one to eight hours to complete. Patients can choose to recover at home with a companion or in a hotel recovery room. Some reconstruction techniques require admission and overnight stay at the hospital.
Are there dietary restrictions?
Because anesthesia will be used in your breast reconstruction procedure, you must refrain from eating and drinking for at least eight hours before your surgery. You may want to bring some healthy snacks with you for after the procedure in case you feel hungry while in the recovery room.
Preparing your body for surgery with a healthy diet in the months and weeks leading up to your procedure can help speed up your recovery process. Diets rich in healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, fiber, and protein can help with pain control and blood flow after surgery.
If you smoke, you should also discontinue smoking for at least four to eight weeks prior to surgery. Smoking increases your risk of blood clots after surgery and delays wound healing.
Are there medications to avoid?
Many medications, even over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, can increase your risk of post-surgical bleeding. For your safety, be sure to discuss all your current medications with your surgeon before your procedure so that you can make a plan for discontinuing them safely in the weeks prior to your appointment.
If you regularly take any herbal supplements, these should also be discontinued at least two to three weeks prior to surgery. Some herbal supplements can increase your risk of bleeding or could negatively interact with anesthesia. Discuss any supplements with your plastic surgeon prior to surgery.
Adjusting your lifestyle for recovery
Recovering from a breast reconstruction procedure can take up to twelve weeks, although most people are able to resume normal activity after four to eight weeks. Although breast reconstruction surgery is an aesthetic procedure, it is important to get adequate rest after your procedure to reduce your risk of compromising your results.
Taking a few days off of work after your procedure is recommended, as is having social support around to help you perform household tasks and lift objects around your home. Lower-body exercises like walking can be resumed after two weeks, but you should wait four to six weeks before attempting any high-intensity exercise like weight lifting, running, or yoga.
Other noteworthy items
Before your procedure, your surgeon may request that you shower with a special soap to kill germs on your body and minimize your risk of infection. You may have to wait to shower again until a few days after your procedure.
Bring any medical devices you regularly use, like eyeglasses, hearing aids, or a CPAP machine to your surgery in case you need to stay longer than anticipated.
After your breast reconstruction procedure, your plastic surgeon will provide you with custom support garments to keep you comfortable and minimize swelling while your breasts heal. Your plastic surgeon may place surgical drains at your incision site to reduce swelling and rid the site of excess fluids.
Schedule your breast reconstruction surgery with a professional breast surgeon for optimal results
A history of breast trauma does not have to define your aesthetic appearance. Scheduling breast reconstruction surgery with an expert in breast reconstruction is the first step toward restoring your breast appearance for a confident, shapely silhouette.
