By Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt
The decision to have breast reconstruction work carried out after mastectomy is usually a very personal decision, and something that may well depend on the inner feelings of the woman involved. Both the mental and physical stress due to breast-loss may be almost impossible to cope with on a daily basis for many, and something that may well play an important role in any decision.
Although breast reconstruction work may not be perfect, it does tend to offer an option of hope for the many that may be considering it. Although, where the majority of women who have undergone this type of reconstruction work have been reported as saying they were satisfied with its outcome, some 20% were reported as feeling a certain degree of dissatisfaction.
Considerations before breast reconstruction:
1. Two forms of reconstruction work are available: immediate (reconstruction work may be either partially or completely carried out during mastectomy), and delayed (where rebuilding is delayed to a later date).
2. When radiation treatment is recommended after surgery, most doctors will advise against immediate reconstruction due to the possibility of further problems that it may cause. Also there is the probability of the operation having a lower rate of success.
3. Several different types of reconstruction are available, using: breast implants, tissue flaps(tissue taken from the stomach, back, thighs, or buttocks to aid in the reconstruction),transverse rectus abdominis muscle flaps ([TRAM's] muscle is taken from the lower abdominal wall), or a combination of these.
4. Some very slim women may simple not have enough tissue or muscle available to allow for reconstruction work with flaps to be carried out, and therefore would only leave the option of breast implants. However, breast implants are actually desired by many women simply for cosmetic purposes.
5. The rebuilt breast may have a different sensation and feeling to the original breast, although after time this may become less noticeable. Also flap donor sites may lose some sensation to them and leave certain scaring, as would be the case with the reconstructed breast together with any surgery carried out on the remaining breast.
6. Surgery may be offered to either reshape or remodel the remaining breast to match the reconstructed one. This may include either reducing the size of it, or enlarging it as necessary. Even a surgical uplift of the surviving breast may be offered. This would mean extra surgery than would otherwise have been necessary.
7. Swelling and bruising may take up to eight weeks to go away; however, it may take between one and two years for tissues to completely heal. Scaring will almost certainly fade within this time, although it will never completely disappear. Skin type and shade may play some bearing on the final result.
8. Not always surgery turns out the way it was expected to, or sometimes it may result in cell death (necrosis) where even more surgery may be required. Or the reconstructed breast may not look exactly as one was expecting. More often than not, reconstructed breasts will differ in appearance from the original one.
9. Exercise and sexual activity after reconstruction can usually begin after 4 - 6 weeks, although for some women to get back into the swing of normal sexual activities with their partner may take a lot longer. This may really depend on the individual, as not everybody reacts the same in any given situation.
10. Another important consideration to be made is: Who is going to pay? As not all insurance policies may cover the cost of breast reconstruction work after mastectomy. Check with the insurance company to be completely sure before committing to any further operations, as an unexpected bill may arrive through the letter box.
Although this article does not cover all the aspects of breast reconstruction, it does give an idea as to how complicated a decision it may be for any woman to take after mastectomy.
Philip was born in the United Kingdom. Today he works as a freelance writer in Mexico, where he spends much of his time researching and writing about health related issues. If you feel that you have benefited from reading one of his articles: please recommend them to others who may also benefit. Thank you for reading Philip's articles!
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