A Guide to the Different Types of Breast Reconstruction:

If you’re considering breast reconstruction surgery, it’s important to understand what your options are if you want to make the right decision.

During your consultation, your surgeon will take you through the various options as well as the pros and cons of each. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what you want to achieve and what your preferences are.

Breast Reconstruction – What Type is Best for Me?

Implant Reconstruction

This is one of the simpler types of reconstructive surgery and it leaves fewer scars too. By choosing implants, you can achieve a reasonable shape and your breasts won’t change size if you gain or lose weight. The only real downside is that you will be inserting a foreign object, which does increase the risk of complications.

Patients who go this route will not be able to undergo radiotherapy and may require additional surgeries to achieve the desired result.

Body Tissue Reconstruction

Patients who want to create breasts that look and feel as natural as possible will benefit from body tissue reconstruction. Results can be achieved in one to two surgeries but since there are two wound sites, there will also be additional scarring. More details can be found on next page: https://drandresafvat.com.au/breast-reconstruction/

There are two types of tissue that can be used for the body tissue reconstruction method:

Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction. This method uses tissue from your back to complete the procedure. It’s known to be more successful because the tissue has its original blood supply. For women who want or have larger breasts, implants will also be required.

TRAM or DIEP Flap Reconstruction. This method uses tissue from the stomach to complete the procedure. Along with getting a flatter tummy, you can also reshape your breasts.

Reconstructing the Nipples

Nipple reconstruction is also a key part of the breast reconstruction process. These are the options that are available.

Tattoo. There are many skilled surgeons and medical tattoo professionals who do an excellent job of creating realistic nipples using the tattooing process.

Body Tissue. Nipples can also be created using real body tissue but it can only be done several months after your reconstruction surgery.

Stick On. If surgery and tattooing doesn’t appeal to you, there is also the option of using stick-on nipples.

What about Your Other Breast?

Naturally, you want your healthy breast to match the reconstructed one but this often means that surgery will need to be performed on both breasts.

You can either choose to increase the size of both breasts using implants or you can choose to reduce the size of the breast but lift it to a better position. Depending on what you decide, there may be some additional scarring in the fold beneath the breast or around the areola.

Your surgeon will do everything possible to prevent and conceal any scars and will advise you on steps that you can take to reduce the appearance of scarring after your breast reconstruction surgery.