Breast Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction Surgery aims to rebuild a woman’s breasts after a Mastectomy. Reconstructive techniques have been developed to provide not only a return to normal clothing and full activities but also a restoration of beauty and femininity.
Types of Reconstructive Surgeries
There are three types of Breast Reconstructive Surgery.
- The Prosthetic Reconstruction where artificial implants are used.
- Autogenous Reconstruction, which uses fat and tissue from other parts of the body
- Fat-transfer technique, using only fat to be injected into the breast without any incisions or scars.
Mr Ferrando is very experienced in breast reconstruction and will match your new breast as closely as possible to your existing breast.
In some cases women consider surgery on both breasts to ensure a balance between the two breasts.
At the consultation Mr Ferrando will explain the different procedures to you and advise you on the most suitable one for you.
Types of implants
Prosthetic Reconstruction
Prosthetic Reconstruction Implants are expandable and are slowly enlarged over a three to six month period until they are the desired size. This is so the skin can gradually be stretched to accommodate the implant. The outside of the implant is made of high quality silicone and the inside from saline.
Autogenous Reconstruction
Autogenous Reconstruction Implants – This method uses your own fatty tissue and skin from the lower abdomen without the need for an implant and with an added benefit of a full tummy tuck. Due to this better blood supply the flap that is transferred to the chest can be shaped to best match the opposite breast.
Fat-Transfer Reconstruction
Fat-Transfer is an implant free procedure that involves gently removing fat from one area of your body (preferably from the tummy area) and injecting it into the breasts. This involves no incisions, no new scars and it recreates a natural feeling breast with normal sensation in the nipples.
Consultation
Your consultation for plastic surgery with Mr Ferrando is an important step in the process of considering and undergoing cosmetic or reconstructive procedures.
This initial meeting allows the patient and surgeon to discuss goals, expectations, and potential outcomes, as well as evaluate the patient’s eligibility for the desired procedure. It will be an opportunity to ask questions or clarify any concerns that you may have. You will look at the “before and after” images of previous patients and get further information you need to make a decision.
Mr Ferrando will review your medical history and conduct a physical exam. He will then discuss all options suitable for you and explain each stage of the procedure or treatment. The exact procedure depends on the anatomy of the patient.
Our team believes that a well-informed, comfortable patient is one of the most important elements of the process. Whether you move forward with surgery or simply learn more, Dr Ferrando is looking forward to meeting you!
Procedure
Prosthetic Reconstruction Implants involves inserting a balloon expander under beneath your skin and chest muscle, through a tiny magnetic valve mechanism buried beneath the skin. Mr Ferrando will periodically inject a salt water solution to gradually fill the expander over several weeks or months. After the skin over the breast area has stretched enough, the expander may be removed and a permanent implant will be inserted. Some expanders are designed to be left in place as the final implant. The nipple and areola are reconstructed in a subsequent procedure.
Autogenous Reconstruction Surgery involves creating a skin flap using tissue from other parts of the body such as the back, abdomen or buttocks. Tissue from the tummy area is most suitable due to it’s estrogen receptors. The flap consisting of skin fat and muscle with its blood supply are placed beneath the skin of the chest, creating a breast mound without the need for an implant. Blood vessels are then reconnected in the chest area.
Fat-Transfer Reconstruction procedure involves removing fat from one area of your body and meticulously injecting it into the breast area. These micro-fat are harvested by gentle liposuction from the stomach or wherever there is fat to spare. As compared to traditional methods of Breast Reconstruction, this involves no incisions, no new scars and no foreign objects.
Anaesthesia and length of the procedure
The procedures are performed under general anaesthetic and normally takes around 2-4 hours to complete. You will need to stay in the clinic for two to four days following the operation.
Recovery
You will need to stay in the clinic for two to four days following the operation.
You may feel tired and tender for the first few days after the surgery, with swelling and bruising in the breast area. Mr Ferrando will prescribe you pain relief medication to help ease any discomfort you may experience.
Drainage tubes may be attached to your breasts and will be removed before you leave the clinic. You will need to keep the dressing on for a couple of weeks. Some types of stitches are dissolvable and will disappear over time, while others will need to be removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. Hospital time after surgery tissue implants is usually 4 days, where as tissue expander based surgery is shorter.
Patients are recommended to have at least two weeks off work (depending on the type of occupation) to allow sufficient time to rest and recover comfortably at home. Any strenuous exercise or heavy lifting should be avoided for at least six weeks following surgery.
Once the breast has settled into its final shape and size, a nipple areola reconstruction can be performed.
You will need to attend follow up appointments after your surgery, but if you have any questions, or you feel unsure about anything between appointments, please contact Mr Ferrando and he will gladly talk to you. The well being of his patients is very important to him.
Risks and Side Effects
All surgeries carry certain risks and even though they are rare you should be aware of them before making your decision. Mr Ferrando will talk you through any possible risks and side effects at his consultations as they will vary depending on the patient’s anatomy, age, condition and lifestyle.
During his procedures and treatments, he does everything possible to minimise the risk of complications by practicing a meticulously detailed approach and applying his world-class training background.
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Get in touch
This initial contact allows the patient and surgeon to discuss goals, expectations, and potential outcomes, as well as evaluate the patient’s eligibility for the desired procedure.
It will be an opportunity to ask questions or clarify any concerns that you may have and get further information you need to make a decision.