Breast Reconstruction

   "Breast reconstruction" means creating a new breast instead of breast that was removed due to cancer or similar reasons. This surgery is the most important surgery today in terms of making patients ready. Today it is possible to create reconstructions that are similar with other breast thanks to developing technique and technologies. Reconstruction can be made in most of patients following of removal of breast (mastectomy) in most of the patients. Making two surgeries together at the same séance enables patient to have one surgery less and also helps patient psychologically as breast tissue that was removed will not be empty. Depression that is called "postmastectomy depression" is rarely seen in such patients that occur following of breast removal.Breast surgery that is made after mastectomy is not an easy intervention. There are several options, plastic surgeon and patient decides together for the type of method to be applied. There is not a medical obstacle for this surgery in most of patients who were exposed to mastectomy; it can be made together with mastectomy in most of patients.

   There may be valid reasons for postponing reconstruction in same cases. Some women may not want to add reconstruction to spiritual and bodily loads. If patient will wait, talking about reconstruction choices will increase morale of patient who will be operated.

   There is not a proven risk for breast reconstruction to relapse cancer. Postponing reconstruction will bring heavier loads to patient as physiologically. If reconstruction is not made to patients after mastectomy then additional psychic traumas will be seen in patients within respect of getting used to inadequacy feeling of breast tissue and then also getting used to of new breast. Reconstruction alternatives must be evaluated immediately after diagnosing breast cancer. The most ideal choice is discussion of surgeon who will make mastectomy with the plastic surgeon who will make the reconstruction and determine the best choice for you. Plans are affected according to chemotherapy or radiotherapy that is applied to patient or not after surgery. General health condition, anatomic structure, tissue properties and aims of the patient are effective on selection of the method to be determined.

   Breast reconstruction surgery sometimes can be with two séances instead of one. It is possible to make reconstruction by transferring tissues that are prepared from abdomen or back areas to breast region. Tissue transfer is made with two types. In one type the tissue to be transferred is transferred depending on main nutrition area from one side. In the other type the tissue consist of fat and muscle is transferred freely and veins on are recovered in the place where it is transferred. Plastic surgeon must be master on microsurgery in addition to necessary experience for breast reconstruction.Patient must accommodate in the hospital for 2-5 days depending on type and time of surgery. Generally sutures are removed in two weeks after surgery. It may take one month to turn daily activities. This process can be shortened in reconstructions that are made only with prosthesis.

   Breast prophesises are another method that is frequently applied. These surgeries are made by using implants (breast prosthesis). Prophesises are materials that consist of silicon gel inside and silicon sheath outside. In addition to methods which apply tissue dilator in the first séance and place prosthesis in the second séance, today operations are completed with single séance by breast implants that supersedes both for tissue dilator and prosthesis. Dilating of tissue can take 2-3 months and breast that is newly created can reach to its original dimension at the end of this period. This period is the time that is necessary for dilating the tissue. It is possible to conduct dark coloured part that is on the nipple-areola by another séance under local anaesthesia. Breast skin may remain in adequate amounts in some patients after mastectomy, in this situation tissue dilation is not necessary and operation is completed in shorter times with simpler prophesises.

   If breast tissue that is newly created is compared with the other one its shape and properties may not be the same. The purpose is to reach similar results as soon as it is possible. But these minimal changes will only be recognised by you not by the persons around you. Breast reconstruction surgery is a surgery that makes important changes both in appearances of patients and their view of life. According to an investigation that was made in the United States of America, the patients stated that they would want to have made breast reconstruction again if they face with the same problem again.