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Treatment
Options: Breast Reconstruction
Breast
reconstruction (surgery to rebuild a breast's shape) is often
an option after mastectomy. Some health insurance plans pay
for all or part of the cost of breast reconstruction and,
also, for surgery to the other breast so that both breasts are
about the same shape and size.
Reconstruction
will not give you back your breast. Although the reconstructed
breast will not have natural sensation, the surgery can give
you a result that looks like a breast. If you are thinking
about reconstruction, you should talk with a plastic surgeon
before your mastectomy. Ask your surgeon for a referral to an
experienced plastic surgeon. Some women begin reconstruction
at the same time as the mastectomy is done; others wait
several months or even years.
Breast Implants
A plastic surgeon
is able to form a breast mound by using an implant or by using
tissues from another part of your body. Breast implants are
silicone sacs filled with saline (salt water) or silicone gel.
The sacs are placed under your skin behind your chest muscle.
Your body type, age, and cancer treatment will determine which
type of reconstruction will give you the best result.
SALINE AND SILICONE IMPLANTS
Saline-filled
breast implants are available for anyone who wants them.
Some scientists
are concerned about possible short-termand long-term health
problems associated with silicone gel-filled breast implants.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has decided that breast
implants filled with silicone gel may be used only in an
FDA-approved clinical trial. Your surgeon can determine if you
are eligible and can make arrangements for you to join the
study.
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS: As with any surgery, you may have some
pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness. These problems
should disappear as you recover. Scars will fade over time.
You should let your doctor know immediately about any fever,
infection, or bleeding.
Side effects that
could appear later include rupture, leakage, deflation or
shifting of the implant, or interference with mammography
readings. Breast implants age over time and may need to be
replaced.
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