As rare as it is in today’s world to have been untouched by breast cancer, there remains many aspects of the care process that are unfamiliar to patients and family members alike. Today let’s take a glance at breast reconstruction processes to help in clarifying a few things.
Did you know that there is a federal law mandating insurance coverage for breast reconstruction? That’s right, reconstructing the breast(s) after mastectomy is part of the healing process and is recognized as a significant part of treatment. You can find the fine print here. This fact alone helps some women breathe a sigh of relief when internally processing the diagnosis and thinking about their long-term quality of life.
What exactly is breast reconstruction? Breast reconstruction is achieved through varied plastic surgery techniques that attempt to restore a breast to near normal shape, appearance and size following mastectomy. The options available to each woman will need to be individually determined, as there are many factors to consider when choosing the best route for reconstruction.
All options will be discussed at length with both the general surgeon performing the mastectomy and the plastic surgeon providing reconstruction. Your surgeon can advise which options are best for you physically and emotionally.
Many women will choose immediate breast reconstruction. This procedure is performed immediately following the mastectomy, during the same surgical session. In other situations, delaying reconstruction will be a better option. Again, be confident that your team of doctors will help guide you to the right decision.
Since traversing the waters after a breast cancer diagnosis can seem overwhelming, it is a time to rely heavily on expert care and to enlarge your support group. In that respect, many of my patients have found community groups to be beneficial.
It is alright to experience a wide range of emotions as you process how to move forward, but it also helps to know that many have walked the road before you and will stand beside you through the entire process.
Several of my patients have graciously shared a little about their experiences on our website. Feel free to read through them here.
The entire staff of St. Charles Plastic Surgery are continually inspired by the resilience and fight their patients display, as well as humbled to be a part of the healing process. If you need to learn more about breast reconstructions options, please feel free to contact the office for assistance.
Other resources that may be helpful for education and support are listed below.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
National Breast Cancer Awareness Day (BRA Day)
