Breast reconstruction is an intensely personal decision made by women during a very difficult time in their lives. When cancer makes it necessary to remove one or both breasts, the patient may want to consider having breast implants inserted to regain her previous shape. There are a number of options to accomplish this objective.
There is a special kind of implant used for breast reconstructions (for detailed information, visit www.mcghan.com). The procedure can be performed at several different times during the patient's recovery and in several different surgical settings -- depending upon the mastectomy incision and the individual.
If the mastectomy was able to spare the muscle -- and depending on what the patient's treatment team may recommend -- Dr. Kelly may insert a tissue expander for four to six weeks to prepare for the implants. Each reconstruction is tailored to the individual patient's specific anatomical circumstances -- and SPECIFIC POST-SURGICAL INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED.
Generally, if only one breast has been removed, something will have to be done to the remaining breast so that it will have the same volume and will match the reconstructed breast, this may be done coincidentally. It will take two to three months for the implants to settle and assume their permanent shape. The patient may elect to arrange for nipple reconstruction at a later time, and Dr. Kelly has an excellent technique for doing this.
