October 04, 2016 | Breast Reconstruction
4 minute read
Since October 1985, breast cancer organizations around the nation have come together to increase awareness of the disease, to raise funds for research and to support those affected. It’s a tremendous national effort to call attention to the 1 in 8 U.S. women who will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her life (BreastCancer.Org, 2016). Dr. Bonaldi and the staff at Bonaldi Aesthetics are proud of the role we play in helping women to heal fully after a battle with breast cancer. Instead of talking at length about breast cancer and the toll it takes on people every day, we want to highlight the ways we can help you recover.
For women who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy, reconstructive surgery is a valid option to help restore the breasts’ form. Breast reconstruction can help women to regain their feelings of femininity and sense of psychological wholeness. This can be a crucial step in the healing and recovery portion of a battle with cancer.
The best candidate for breast reconstruction is someone undergoing the procedure for herself, and not as a way to fulfill someone else’s desires. If you’re considering reconstruction you should be able to cope with your diagnosis and treatment, not have any medical conditions or illnesses that may impair your healing and most importantly have a positive outlook and realistic expectations. All things Dr. Bonaldi will go over with you in your initial consultation. Your emotional ability to heal is just as important as your body’s physical ability to heal and the decision to have reconstruction should not be entered in to lightly.
The procedure can take place at the same time as a mastectomy or after a patient has healed and recovered from a mastectomy and other cancer treatments. Dr. Bonaldi will work with you and potentially your oncologist, to determine the best procedural approach to help you achieve your physical goals based on your needs and breast tissue condition.
There are various approaches to reconstruction:
Tissue Expansion and Implant Insertion
This outpatient procedure is performed in two steps. In the first step, Dr. Bonaldi will place a tissue expander beneath your skin and chest muscle. This expander has a valve that allows it to be filled with a solution gradually over four to six months. This slowly expands the breast skin, tissue and muscle to make room for the implant. The second step occurs after the tissue is sufficiently stretched. The expander is removed and replaced with either a silicone or saline implant.
Flap Technique and Implant Insertion
This technique requires the patient to be hospitalized for two to five days and involves tunneling or transferring the patient’s own donor tissue to the breast. The flap tissue is then used to provide coverage and support for an implant. With this technique there are various approaches that Dr. Bonaldi may use, he and you will determine the approach based on your physical condition at the time of your consultation.
Flap Reconstruction
The rarest approach to reconstruction, the Flap technique uses the patient’s donor tissue from the abdomen, back or buttock to recreate the entire breast round.
Recovery time will vary based on the patient and technique used. Typically, patients will experience some swelling and soreness after surgery which can be alleviated with pain medications. An elastic bandage or support bra will help to minimize the swelling and support your newly reconstructed breasts.
The goal of a breast reconstruction surgery is to help the patient experience physical and emotional improvements after their recovery. It is Dr. Bonaldi’s hope that women who seek and obtain a breast reconstruction are ready to get back to living a normal life with breasts that make them feel and look like the woman they are.
If you are interested in discussing your breast reconstruction with Dr. Bonaldi, schedule a consultation today by calling (775) 828-7400 or filling out our online contact form.
