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How soon after a mastectomy can breast reconstruction be undertaken?
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∙ 10y ago
Breast reconstruction can be undertaken either during or after a mastectomy depending on the advice of the surgeon and the wishes of the patient. It is possible to have an immediate reconstruction if there is no need for irradiation treatment after the surgery. Should this be necessary the reconstruction can be undertaken following treatment.
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∙ 10y ago
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Breast reconstruction - implants?
DefinitionAfter a mastectomy, some women choose to have cosmetic surgery to re-create their breast. This surgery can be performed during mastectomy itself or later.The breast is usually reshaped in 2 stages, first using a tissue expander and then placement of a saline implant. Sometimes the implant can be inserted in the first stage.Alternative NamesBreast implants surgeryDescriptionIf you are having reconstruction at the same time as your mastectomy, your surgeon may do a skin sparing mastectomy. This means only the area around your nipple and areola is removed and more skin is left to make reconstruction easier.If you will have breast reconstruction later, your surgeon will remove enough skin over your breast during the mastectomy to be able to close the skin flaps.Breast reconstruction with implants is usually done in 2 stages. You will receive general anesthesia (asleep and pain free).In the first stage:Your surgeon will place a small tissue expander under your chest muscle and skin. The expander is a pouch made out of silicone, similar to a balloon.Your chest will still look flat right after this surgery.Starting about 2 to 3 weeks after surgery, you will see your surgeon every 1 or 2 weeks. During these visits, your surgeon will inject a small amount of saline (salt water) through your skin into the pouch through a valve.The pouch or tissue expander slowly enlarges the pouch in your chest to the right size for the surgeon to place an implant.When it reaches the right size, you will wait 1 to 3 months before the permanent breast implant is placed (the second stage).In the second stage:Your surgeon will remove the tissue expander from your chest and replace it with a breast implant. This surgery takes 1 to 2 hours.Before this surgery, you will have talked with your surgeon about the different kinds of breast implants. Implants may be filled with either saline or a silicone gel.You may have another minor procedure later that remakes the nipple and areola area.Why the Procedure Is PerformedYou and your doctor will decide together about whether to have breast reconstruction, and when.Having breast reconstruction does not make it harder to find a tumor if your breast cancer comes back.Getting breast implants does not take as long as breast reconstruction(which uses your own muscle tissue). You will also have fewer scars. But the size, fullness, and shape of the new breasts are more natural with reconstruction that uses muscle tissue.Many women choose not to have breast reconstruction or implants. They may use a prosthesis (an artificial breast) in their bra that gives them a natural shape, or they may choose to use nothing at all.RisksRisks for any surgery are:Blood clots in the legs that may travel to the lungsBreathing problemsInfection, including in the surgical wound, lungs (pneumonia), bladder, or kidneyBlood lossHeart attack or stroke during surgeryReactions to medicinesThe risks for breast reconstruction with implants are:The implant in 1 out of every 10 women will break or leak in the first 10 years. If this happens, you will need more surgery.A scar may form around the implant in your breast. If the scar becomes tight, your breast may feel hard and you may have pain or discomfort. This is called capsular contracture. You will need more surgery if this happens.Infection soon after surgery. This would require removal of the expander or the implant.Breast implants can shift some. This will cause a change in the shape of your breast.Before the ProcedureAlways tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking any drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.During the week before your surgery:Several days before surgery, you may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and other drugs like these.Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of surgery.On the day of your surgery:Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.Take your drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.Shower the night before or the morning of surgery.Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.After the ProcedureYou may be able to go home the same day as the surgery, or you may need to stay in the hospital for 1 or 2 days.Outlook (Prognosis)Results of reconstruction surgery are usually very good. It is nearly impossible to make a rebuilt breast look exactly the same as the remaining natural breast. You may need more operations for the result you want.Reconstruction will not restore normal sensation to the breast or the new nipple.Having cosmetic surgery after breast cancer can improve your sense of well-being and your quality of life.ReferencesBurns JL, Blackwell SJ. Plastic surgery. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 73.Wilhelmi BJ, Phillips LG. Breast reconstruction. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 35.
How soon can exercise regimens begin after a mastectomy?
Exercises to maintain shoulder and arm mobility may be prescribed as early as 24 hours after surgery.
What president during reconstruction?
Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant were the Presidents during the reconstruction period. Reconstruction is usually considered to have ended when Rutherford Hayes took office or soon afterward.
Who was the president at the beginning of reconstruction?
Andrew Johnson had that job after Lincoln was killed soon after the war ended.
How soon can you go back to work after breast augmentation?
3 days
What is it when water comes out from women's nipple?
This fluid is not water. This is the beginning of breast milk. Soon it will turn a milky yellow color and this is breast milk.
The Ku Klux Klan began as a prankish social organization but soon began targeting Reconstruction governments?
The Ku Klux Klan did begin as a prankish social organization, but soon became more sinister. It began targeting Reconstruction governments in retribution for the increased rights they gave to blacks.
How soon do you feel breast tenderness when pregnant?
As soon as 5-6 weeks as scripted in pregnant book. I felt it at about 5 wks preggers.
How long did the official reconstruction period last?
I'm not sure if there was ever an "official" reconstruction period. Generally, "Reconstruction" is applied to federal government policies applied to defeated Southern states as early as 1863. Historians generally agree that Reconstruction policies ended soon after the inauguration (following a razor-thin election) of Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877.
End of reconstruction?
President Hayes kept removes troops from the South. The order was given on May 1st, 1877. The decision to end Reconstruction and return the rule to Southerners, soon resulted in the disenfranchisement of the Blacks in the South.
How soon after a cesarean section does menstruation start even if am breast feeding your baby?
begining of the 2 trimester
What to do if you have dark stretch marks on your breast?
i have them too , they will go soon , i have to go on holiday and wear a bikini aswell :(!
