Two options exist for breast surgery. A woman can have her breasts reconstructed with implants, or she can use her own tissue. A doctor can use the lower abdominal wall segment, back muscle or fat of the woman to create new breast tissue. A woman can also have a nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy. Both of these methods can result in scarring. Breast surgeries aren't for everyone.
Breast reduction surgery
Most breast reduction surgery can be done in an outpatient setting. Although there may be some swelling or discoloration following the procedure, it will usually disappear within a few days. Sutures and bandages will be removed in a few days and the patient should not resume strenuous activities for about a month. The initial recovery period for a breast reduction can be uncomfortable. However, breasts will begin to look more natural and soften over time. The results of the surgery will be seen six months to a year after the procedure.
The surgeon will then make incisions in the skin near the natural creases in the breasts. These incisions are used to remove excess skin and fat. Women may have their areolae raised. The surgeon will close the incision with dissolvable internal or external sutures. The patient may need to remain in the hospital for up to an overnight period during recovery. Afterwards, the patient will be released from the hospital. It may take up to five hours for the entire operation to be completed.
Nipple-sparing Mastectomies
A Nipple Sparing Mastectomy is an alternative to radiotherapy for breast carcinoma. This procedure preserves a patient's breasts and avoids radiation treatment. Although not every woman who undergoes this surgery will opt to sidestep radiation, approximately 30% of new cases may not undergo radiation treatment after undergoing a full mastectomy. In general, this type of surgery is a viable option for women with large or small breasts.
Although it is not common, the results of this surgery are very good. It preserves the entire breast envelope, including the nipple skin and the darker skin circle around it. The NSM is typically followed by a breast reconstruction. While it is not commonly used for mastectomy, it is becoming a more popular option to traditional breast cancer treatments. Its benefits far outweigh any drawbacks.
Skin-sparing mastectomy
A skin-sparing mastectomy is a surgical procedure in which all of the breast skin, excluding the nipple and areola, is preserved. This allows surgeons to reconstruct the breast without scarring. To replace the volume, the surgeon may use a flap or an implant. There are two types: the TRAM or Latissimus skin-sparing mastopexy. Both use tissues and muscle from the body to reconstruct a breast.
There are many benefits to skin-sparing breast surgery, such as the preservation of the inframammary and native skin layers. This procedure enhances the cosmetic appearance of the breast reconstruction by conserving the native skin envelope and inframammary fold. It can also reduce the need for contralateral simetrizing surgery. However, skin-sparing matectomies come with a variety of risks.
Modified radical mastectomy
If you are concerned about the risks of undergoing a mastectomy, you may want to consider a modified radical mastectomy. A modified radical breastectomy takes out only the breasts and most of the lymph nodes. The lining around the chest muscles is also removed. This type of surgery preserves breast tissue. But, not all surgeons have the training to perform these types. It is important to consult your doctor before you decide which type of surgery to have.
While most hospitals are adopting a traditional modified radical mastectomy, it is not yet widely used. Modified radical mastectomy techniques are geared towards protecting the anterior nerve and the intercostobrachial. These nerves are to be preserved for sensory functions only. These techniques can be compared to those of Halsted Meyer, Patey and Meyer. Moore61 in 1867 described one such method.