Breast reconstruction surgery rebuilds the look and shape of your breasts after breast cancer removal surgeries, such as lumpectomy or mastectomy. Breast reconstruction may be performed with the use of breast implants or as a tissue transplant from another body part. This surgery is done either at the same time as the mastectomy or several months after it.
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Benefits of breast reconstruction
- results are permanent
- your self-esteem is improved
- your psychological state becomes settled
- it can be performed during breast cancer removal surgery
- it makes the body look proportional again
Candidates for breast reconstruction
The candidates for breast reconstruction are women after/during mastectomy, who are in a relatively good physical and psychological condition. Also, candidates need to have realistic expectations regarding the surgery. Besides, it would be perfect if women did not smoke, as smoking may increase the degree of complications after the surgery.
Price for breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction is not a regular plastic surgery and many a time the insurance covers the procedure. You need to contact your insurance company to see if the surgery can be refunded to you. Still, the price for the surgery in Poland is much more affordable than in such countries as Great Britain, Germany, USA or Norway. The standard of the clinics, surgeries, and care, however, remains at the same high level in all these countries.
Breast reconstruction procedure
Before the surgery
The most important thing you need to do before the surgery is checking with your insurance company whether breast reconstruction can be refunded. If you smoke, you need to cease it at least 2 weeks before the surgery date. Of course, before the surgery, you will have medical tests and will attend a personal consultation with the surgeon, who will explain to you what effects will be achieved.
Medical tests:
- SR
- blood morphology
- blood group
- APPT and INR
- electrolytes level
- serum glucose
- urine analysis
- HBs, HCV, HIV
- EKG (for patients over 55)
Breast reconstruction surgery
Breast reconstruction may involve placing breast implants or transferring tissue from another body part, e.g. stomach, back or thighs. The procedure is always performed under general anesthesia. It can be also combined with mastectomy surgery. Regarding the incisions, their place depends on the type of surgery that you have. You will be explained all the details during your consultation with the surgeon.
Length of breast reconstruction procedure: 2-3 hours
Type of anesthesia: general anesthesia
Stay in the clinic: 1 night
Minimal stay for breast reconstruction abroad: 1 week
Back to work: 2 weeks
Breast reconstruction results: permanent.
After the surgery
Your surgeon will give you all instructions regarding the recovery period. But after the surgery, you would need to self-examine your breasts and regularly perform mammography or other diagnostic examinations. You might feel bruising, swelling, and soreness for 2-3 first weeks. Usually, women go back to their normal life and activities 6-8 weeks after breast reconstruction.
Possible risks and complications
- bleeding
- infections
- different breast sensation
- side effects of anesthesia
- relatively long recovery time
- wound healing may be poor
- seroma (fluid collection)
Breast reconstruction abroad
You need to come for a 1 week abroad to have breast reconstruction. You will spend 1 night in the clinic because the surgery will be done under general anesthesia. We offer 2 packages types for our patients. Standard package, which includes medical tests, consultation, the surgery and stays in the clinic, and all-inclusive package, which covers medical tests, consultation, surgery, stay in the clinic, stay in a hotel for 1 week and all transfers between the airport, clinic and a hotel. Just contact our consultants for more information!