What is the definition or description of: breast reconstruction?

Rebuilding a breast: Breast reconstruction is the rebuilding of a breast, usually after surgery for breast cancer (mastectomy or lumpectomy). The patient's own tissue (from another part of the body) or a breast implant can be used. More than 1 surgery is usually needed to complete the reconstruction. The nipple and areola can also be reconstructed. Some patients also have surgery on the other breast for best symmetry.

Breast reconstructio: Breasts can be reconstructed using implants or a patients own tissue. If you use your own tissue either a flap (attached to the body) or free fat can be transfered to the breast. Using your own tissue requires a donor site on your body. Implants can be used to replace the lost breast tissue. The implant is placed under the breast muscle. Nipples and areola can also be fashioned.

Restore Breasts: Breast reconstruction is when a surgeon recreates a breast after surgical removal. Two main categories are implant and autologous tissue based. The former is a quicker procedure and less pain/downtime, but implants might look less natural over time and don't always last forever. Autologous requires more hospital time, but uses your own natural tissue. You might get a tummy tuck out of this too!

Breast recon: This refers to the ability to recreate the form of the breast after surgery such as treatment for breast cancer. There are multiple techniques available to recreate the breast. Including implant based, autologous tissue based or a combination of the two. It is important to be evaluated by a board certified plastic surgeon to be educated about your options prior to treatment of breast cancer.

Breast surgery: A skin sparing mastectomy is most commonly performed in immediate reconstruction that i perform. I help patient decide on using fat graft, implants, or flaps. This discussions revolve around a number of factors like lifestyle, expectations for size and shape. I usually spend over an hour personally discussing breast reconstruction options with each of my patients.