Question 1

how do surgeons reconstruct the breast after mastectomy?

Accepted Answer

Implants v.  "Flaps": In general, there are two different techniques for reconstruction following a mastectomy.  In one, tissue expanders are placed under the chest wall muscles and then are slowly expanded over months until "new" skin forms;  they are then removed and replaced by implants.  The other technique involves transferring tissue from one part of the body such as the abdominal wall or back to the chest wall.

Question 2

why is it that surgeons cut across the breast area when doing a mastectomy?

Accepted Answer

Transverse incision: is more popular than oblique (cut)  it is more cosmetically better accepted by woman , can wear low cut dress with out showing the scar , will make breast  reconstruction easy , will have less tension so less pain and heals better

Question 3

can care less about having breasts. will a surgeon perform a mastectomy on me for the purposes of helping my back pain?

Accepted Answer

Breast reduction: Your complaint is actually not uncommon.  Get a referral to a plastic surgeon and they will explain the process to get this procedure approved.

Question 4

what exactly does a breast reconstruction tissue expander do? it's been almost a year since my mastectomy. during my breast reconstruction consultation, my surgeon mentioned using a tissue expander to make room for my new breast. how does this work?

Accepted Answer

When : When a mastectomy is performed, most of the skin that would allow your tissue to accommodate a breast implant is also removed, and there is not enough skin to cover an implant and create a natural appearing breast.  A tissue expander is a balloon-like implant that is placed in the position of a breast implant, and is gradually inflated with saline through a series of well-tolerated expansion injections.  With gradual inflation of the expander, your tissues expand and create space for a permanent breast implant.  Once you reach final expansion volume, your tissue is allowed to heal and maintain the expanded volume for 2-3 months before placing your permanent breast implant at a second operation.
All the best, 
dr. Skourtis.

Question 5

23andme shows i have a gene that increase breast cancer risk by 1.2. my mom has the same variant and got breast cancer at 53.i plan to get a prophylactic mastectomy because of this.do i see a surgeon?

Accepted Answer

This what you want?: Please stop and think. You can&#x27;t go through life trying to eliminate every risk. You owe it to yourself and to that special person who may choose to love you through your life to keep your body intact and healthy for as long as you can. There are HUNDREDS of genes that modify risks. If you maintain surveillance against breast cancer, it&#x27;s almost always curable when found. Love casts out fear.

Question 6

what methods are used to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy?

Accepted Answer

Implants vs. "Flaps": In general, there are two types of reconstruction following a mastectomy.  One type involves placing an inflatable balloon under the chest muscles and slowly inflating it over weeks-to-months, followed by placement of a permanent implant.  The other method involves transplanting tissue from one part of the body, such as the abdominal wall or back, to the chest wall ("flaps").

Question 7

after a mastectomy and they reconstruct your breast can you tell the difference?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: It depends on the type of reconstruction technique, timing of it, and scar already on the chest wall.  Immediate reconstruction after skin sparing mastectomy gives the best result cosmetically, but if delayed reconstruction is known at the time of mastectomy a skin sparing technique can also be used which will look better.  Nipple spring technique is also becoming more popular.

Question 8

what is the recovery period after having a tissue expansion treatment done? after my mastectomy, my doctor suggested that i have a tissue expansion procedure done to help reconstruct my breasts. i have just spent a lot of time recovering from cancer, and

Accepted Answer

First : First and foremost, i wish you health, courage, and strength in your recovery from breast cancer.

Tissue expansion is a very common approach to breast reconstruction after mastectomy.  Very nice results can be achieved by expanding your own tissue to accommodate permanent breast implants.  This approach gives you a lot of control over final size selection, and avoids the risks associated with operations that remove tissue from other parts of your body to replace breast tissue.

If i understand your question correctly, you have already had a mastectomy, and are now considering having tissue expanders placed after having healed from the first operation.  The operation to secondarily place the expanders involves using the same incision made for the mastectomy, creating a space under your chest muscle (pectoralis major, or "pec"), and sometimes using donor material to create a nicely shaped lower breast contour.  There is some tightness and discomfort associated with placing the expanders, and i typically recommend to my patients that they take about a week off of work.  Most women who work a desk job can return to their normal job functions in a week and not require narcotic pain meds during the day, but women who work more strenuous physical jobs may need to be off work or on light duty (lifting less than 15 lbs) for about 4 weeks.

Depending on your plastic surgeon's preferences, you will likely begin the expansion process about 3 weeks after the surgery to have the expanders placed.  This involves coming in to your plastic surgeon's office every 1-3 weeks to have the expanders filled with a moderate volume of saline each time until you reach your desired size.  The expansion itself involves minimal discomfort, as a small needle is used to access and fill the expanders.  You can return to work on the same day or the day following your expansions.

Surgery to place your permanent implants can proceed about 8 weeks after your size goal is reached, and the permanent implants will feel softer and have a much more natural appearance than the filled expanders.

All the best to you in your recovery, 
dr. Skourtis.

Question 9

how natural do reconstructed breasts feel after mastectomy?

Accepted Answer

Varies w/technique: In general, there are two reconstruction options: (1)tissue expanders to stretch the skin of the chest wall, followed by implants(2)tissue transfer, where skin, fat(+/-muscle) are brought over to the chest wall from the abdomen or back. Both of these options can look very natural (esp w/nipple-areolar sparing surgery).  Option (2) feels more natural but w/limited sensation (&bigger operation).

Question 10

would my breasts look the same after a mastectomy + reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Breast surgery: Although we can provide very good results with a number of techniques it depends on a number of factors.  Please get a consult!

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Doctor answers about:

How do surgeons reconstruct the breast after mastectomy

A member asked:

How do surgeons reconstruct the breast after mastectomy?

A member asked:

Why is it that surgeons cut across the breast area when doing a mastectomy?

A member asked:

Can care less about having breasts. will a surgeon perform a mastectomy on me for the purposes of helping my back pain?

A member asked:

What exactly does a breast reconstruction tissue expander do? it's been almost a year since my mastectomy. during my breast reconstruction consultation, my surgeon mentioned using a tissue expander to make room for my new breast. how does this work?

A member asked:

23andme shows i have a gene that increase breast cancer risk by 1.2. my mom has the same variant and got breast cancer at 53.i plan to get a prophylactic mastectomy because of this.do i see a surgeon?

A member asked:

What methods are used to reconstruct the breast after a mastectomy?

A member asked:

After a mastectomy and they reconstruct your breast can you tell the difference?

A member asked:

What is the recovery period after having a tissue expansion treatment done? after my mastectomy, my doctor suggested that i have a tissue expansion procedure done to help reconstruct my breasts. i have just spent a lot of time recovering from cancer, and

A member asked:

How natural do reconstructed breasts feel after mastectomy?

A member asked:

Would my breasts look the same after a mastectomy + reconstruction?

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