Breast reconstruction is a series of surgical procedures performed to rebuild a breast. To rebuild a breast, surgeons may use a balloon-like expander and a saline or silicone implant. Another method is to use body tissue from other parts of your body to rebuild the breast. Reconstructions are commonly performed after portions of one or both breasts are removed as a treatment for breast cancer. Reconstruction may also be considered for other reasons such as a breast abnormality or an injury to the breast.

Breast reconstruction may be an option for women who have undergone breast removal. Because breast removal can have many emotional implications for women, breast reconstruction is considered to be an important part of therapy for women who have had breast cancer. The results of reconstruction are a natural looking breast which some women prefer over external prosthesis (false breast).

Women who are interested in changing the look and shape of their breasts might also consider reconstruction surgery.

Non-surgical treatments include the use of external breast forms that fit into brassier cups or are attached to the skin of the chest.

Prior to any surgery, your doctor will give you a complete medical examination and evaluate your overall health and your health history. You may be required to get additional tests such as X-rays and lab tests. Your doctor will also review with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation and will ask you to sign a consent form. It is important that you ask questions and be sure you understand the reason for the surgery as well as the risks.

It is important that you inform your doctor if you have allergies to any medications, what medications you are taking, and if you have bleeding problems. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant.

Your doctor will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

Depending on the circumstances of your surgery, you may be instructed to do the following:

• Completely empty your colon and cleanse your intestines prior to surgery. You may be requested to drink clear liquids only for one or several days prior to surgery.
• Stop eating or drinking after midnight the night before the operation except medications that your doctor has told you are permissible to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
• Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Find someone to drive you home after the surgery. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties.
• Stop smoking at least six to eight weeks prior to surgery as smoking delays wound healing. Smokers are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery.

In addition, you should speak with your doctor about aesthetic decisions regarding your surgery such as the size and contour of your breasts and whether additional surgery needs to be done on the opposite breast. You may want to consider donating your own blood a few weeks prior to the surgery as blood transfusions are sometimes necessary for reconstructive surgeries.

You should have a thorough understanding of the benefits and limitations of this surgery. Emotional preparation for the reconstruction may be important for you. There are numerous support groups in the community for women who have had mastectomies; contacting a support group can help you set expectations and provide emotional support.

If you are in poor physical health or have high blood pressure, or diabetes or other health issues, you may not be a good candidate for reconstruction surgery. Health issues, such as those mentioned may increase your chance of having complications.

Your hospital stay, recovery period, and frequency of visits to the doctor after surgery will vary depending on the type of reconstruction. If the reconstruction procedure involves using body tissue from other parts of the body, longer hospitalization and recovery times should be expected compared to implant procedures. Procedures can also occur at an office facility and discharge will be the same day as surgery. You can expect the following after your procedure:

• Close monitoring: Your doctor will closely monitor the circulation in your breast after surgery. If you undergo complete breast reconstruction, you may need an additional surgery to create a nipple and areola. Your bandages and drainage tubes will remain in place for at least a day.
• Fatigue and soreness: You will feel tired and sore for a couple of weeks after surgery. Limit your activity a few days but avoid strenuous activities such as, overhead lifting, strenuous sports, and sexual activity for three to six weeks.
• Scarring: Scars may remain red and raised for a month or longer. They will fade to their final appearance within one to two years. The final appearance of your breasts usually will not be visible for at least one year.

A variety of factors may influence the cost of the surgery. They include:

• Insurance coverage
• Pre-existing health
• Insurance co-pay
• Location of the facility

These factors vary depending on you and your situation.

The cost of each procedure can vary dramatically based upon age, location, gender, and insurance coverage. HealthGrades provides detailed cost estimates which include the costs of the procedure, drugs, hospital stay, and more. Each cost estimate is easy to understand and provides medical terms you need to know.

The detailed cost estimate for Breast Reconstruction, includes costs for:

• Breast implant immediately following mastectomy or delayed to a later time
• Nipple and areola reconstruction
• Skin expander for breast reconstruction
• Creation of flap using skin from upper back or any non-essential area
• Creation of flap using tissue from lower abdominal wall with/without veins attached
• and Creation of two flaps using lower abdomen wall with veins still attached.