Reconstructive breast surgery is designed to rebuild the shape, size and appearance of your breasts after a mastectomy. A mastectomy is the complete or partial removal of one, or both breasts due to cancer.
Breast implants or your own natural tissue from other areas of your body such as your abdomen, buttocks or back can be used during reconstructive breast surgery to rebuild your new breasts. In some cases both breast implants and natural tissue flaps are used.
Whether breast implants, natural tissue flaps, or a combination of the two are used for your reconstructive surgery will depend on your existing anatomy, your lifestyle, the procedure risks and benefits, and your personal preferences. Dr. Lyons will help you decide which procedure is best for you.
Your mastectomy and your reconstructive breast surgery can be performed in one surgery at the same time, or your reconstructive breast surgery can be delayed for a later date.
Your surgical oncologist will perform your mastectomy and Dr. Lyons will perform your breast reconstruction surgery. If you are interested in getting your mastectomy and your breast reconstruction done in one surgery, ask your surgical oncologist if that is a possibility. If you are a proper candidate for combination surgery, Dr. Lyons and your surgical oncologist will arrange their schedules so they can both be present during your surgery.
After a mastectomy, some women’s chests are left flat and tight so a temporary tissue expander is used.
The tissue expander is positioned and gradually filled with saline solution over a period of several weeks to stretch your skin over time. When your tissue expands to the desired size for your new breast, the temporary tissue expander will be replaced with a permanent silicone gel-filled breast implant.
You may be a candidate for an all natural tissue flap. This is an implant-free breast reconstruction technique. Dr. Lyons will rebuild your breasts with your own natural tissue from other areas of your body such as your abdomen, your buttocks, or your back. If you are a candidate for a natural tissue flap, Dr. Lyons will discuss your options with you prior to surgery.
Regardless of which type of breast reconstruction option is chosen, incisions will be made on your chest. If a natural tissue flap is used, you will have incisions and sutures located at the donor site such as your abdomen, buttocks or back.
Dr. Lyons will determine which incision option is best for your procedure based on your existing anatomy and surgical requirements.
Breast reconstruction is performed under general anesthesia and takes about 2 to 6 hours to complete. You will be comfortable and asleep during your surgery.
Take at least 2 to 4 weeks off work for recovery.
Every patient’s recovery from breast reconstruction is unique. You may heal faster than others, however, it’s a good idea to take a few extra days off work to rest and heal. Dr. Lyons will give you very detailed post operative care instructions to follow during your recovery.
You can request to see Dr. Megan Lyons for your reconstructive breast surgery. Ask your surgical oncologist to refer you to Dr. Lyons directly. Your oncologist can call Dr. Lyons’ office at 306.566.4664 or they can fax a consultation request to 306.205.2250.
