Breast Reconstruction - Learn How to Begin Planning for Surgery

If you need to get a mastectomy to remove part or all of your breasts, you are likely considering getting breast reconstruction in order to get back your feminine form. Before you make an appointment with a plastic surgeon, you should find out the basic facts about this operation. This will help you learn what to expect from the surgery. 

It is important to let your surgeon for the mastectomy know that you are interested in breast reconstruction. This is because some women are able to have both surgeries done at once, which means they just need to sit through one longer operation rather than endure two separate procedures and two separate recoveries. Of course, both you and your surgeon need time to prepare for this before the big day, which is why talking to your doctor first is crucial. You should be able to find out whether or not you are a good candidate for both procedures in one day. 

Some women will not be permitted to have both done at once. This is because some patients need a little more time to heal than others. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, are obese, or smoke regularly, you will likely not be allowed to have both operations at once. This is because patients with these conditions are considered high risk so you need to play it safer than the average patient. Your doctor should know what is best for you, so do not be discouraged if you need to wait a few months between surgeries, since it is for the sake of your own health. 

You should also know that breast reconstruction often requires a few sessions to get the appearance perfect. Even if you have the mastectomy and reconstructive surgery in one day, you will probably need a few follow-up surgeries in order to get the look exactly right. After the first operation you may find that your nipples are off center, or one part of your chest is higher or larger than the other. A few minor operations can fix these issues. 

Clearly, getting breast reconstruction takes some planning. You cannot expect to have the breasts you have always wanted after just one session, and you should also remember that it takes months to heal completely. Even if your doctor allows you to combine the mastectomy with the reconstructive operation, it will still take some preparation and time for you to get exactly the look you want from this kind of surgery.