Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is a complex procedure performed by Dr. Monika and a plastic surgeon. It restores shape to the breast after a mastectomy during which breast are removed to treat or prevent breast cancer. During reconstruction, a plastic surgeon creates a breast shape using an artificial implant, a flap of tissue from another place from patient’s body, or both.

Women who have surgery as part of their breast cancer treatment may choose breast reconstruction surgery to rebuild the shape and look of the breast. However, the patient should discuss this option before mastectomy is performed. A woman might opt for breast reconstruction for many reasons:

The surgical team led by Dr. Monika will counsel the patient if reconstructive breast surgery has to be done at the time of mastectomy or months later depending on the patient’s treatment strategy.

The patient will be counseled regarding the procedure, all risks and benefits of the surgery. Dr. Monika and her team will explain the patient regarding the details of surgery like anesthesia, length of the surgery, possible complications and cost associated with the surgery.

Before surgery, the patient will be given a set of instructions on eating and drinking, and adjusting current medications, etc. to prepare for the procedure. The patient is a smoker, she’ll be asked to quit smoking.

The patient will be operated under general anesthesia during mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Dr. Monika will make an oval-shaped incision over the nipple area. In some people with early breast cancers, the nipple can be preserved on the breast (nipple-sparing mastectomy), in which patient’s own nipple may be preserved. This is done by using incisions at the bottom of the breast or near the nipple.

Sometimes, surgeon perform flap surgery to reconstruct the breast where a piece of tissue comprising of skin, fat, blood vessels, and occasionally, muscle is taken from elsewhere in a woman’s body (mostly from abdomen, back or thigh) and used to reshape the breast.

In some cases, the patient and the surgeon might choose to reconstruct the breast using implants. Most mastectomies are performed using a procedure called skin-sparing mastectomy, in which much of the breast skin is saved for use in reconstructing the breast. Implants are inserted below the skin or chest muscle after the mastectomy.

After the chest heals from reconstruction surgery and the position of the breast mound on the chest wall has had time to stabilize, a surgeon can reconstruct the nipple and areola.

The patient is likely to spend a week or two in the hospital after this surgery. Drains will be attached to the chest to drain fluids. Dr. Monika will remove the drains when the amount of fluid decreases to an acceptable level, usually within a week or two. Chances are that the new breast won’t look exactly like the natural one did. However, the contour of the new breast can usually be restored so that patient’s silhouette looks similar to that of before surgery. Depending on the type of reconstructive surgery performed, the patient may be able to resume normal activities within few weeks to months. Dr. Monika will give the patient medicines to help control pain and other discomfort.