Breast reconstruction following a mastectomy

If you are thinking about breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, collect all the information you can before you make your decision. Ask friends and family if they know anyone who has had plastic surgery, especially breast reconstruction. Finally, search through the phone book to find plastic surgeons in your area.

Now that you have finished your research have decided to go ahead and have plastic surgery, get busy and actually call one or more surgeons. When you meet with the doctors, you can never ask too many questions about the plastic surgery. Make sure that they completely explain the procedure(s) that will be done, the recovery time, if there will be scarring and where it might be, any problems that could occur during and after the plastic surgery, and anything else that you feel you should know or are uncomfortable about. If you don't ask about the whole process of using plastic surgery for breast reconstruction, you will not feel comfortable with doing it.

The plastic surgery procedure that is used in your breast reconstruction will determine where and how many scars you will have afterward. Minor plastic surgery for breast reconstruction will only place a small, round scar around the areola (nipple) and will almost disappear over time. The next level of plastic surgery for breast reconstruction will use the small, round scar as well as a scar that will run from the areola down to the bottom of the breast. This scaring will also fade over time. The last level of breast reconstruction plastic surgery will leave three scars: the small, circle around the areola, the scar running from the areola down to the base of the breast, and a scar that will run in a semi-circle around the bottom of the breast. Depending on the extent of the mastectomy, you could have one or more of these scars.

After the plastic surgery, you will be wearing a stylish new bra made especially for this type of recovery as well as gauze around the incisions and breasts to help in healing. Although these aren't exactly 'Victoria's? favorites, they will help your healing time and keep any pulling on the breast to a minimum. You should also expect some drainage and soreness around the incisions. Your surgeon will give you instructions on how long to wear the gauze and bra, and when you can resume your normal activities. You should expect to be down and out for at least a week.

Breast reconstruction is plastic surgery and some swelling and bruising will occur and might take time to go away. After you have made the decision, done your homework, and done the deed; you still have a process to go through. You breasts won't be better overnight, but you will notice the difference. '

After plastic surgery, most patients are up and around the same day, but don't expect to play wonder-mom or mighty-woman any time soon. Make sure to follow your surgeon's instructions to the letter so you don't damage any of the tissue that is reforming around your breasts after breast reconstruction. ...