Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is a procedure designed to rebuild a woman’s breast after a mastectomy.  A mastectomy is performed whenever a woman has breast cancer or has high-risk for having cancer at some point.  This is the removal of the breast.  Breast reconstruction tries to build the breast back up to its normal proportions.  A reconstructed breast will not have the normal feeling that a natural breast would have.  It will look like a breast though, which is what most women desire.  Typically a surgeon will use an implant or tissues from a different part of the body.

After the first procedure there is a high chance that you may have to have another surgery.  A new nipple may have to be constructed, or there could be changes made to the other breast to make them look more similar.

How much is breast reconstruction?

Usually the breast reconstruction surgery will cost between $5,000 and $12,000.  Surgeon’s fees can be in the $4,000-$5,000 range.  Anesthesiologists and facility fees can add up to close to $2,000.  There are other various fees that could also add to the cost.  A lot of the cost will depend on how severe the situation is with your breast currently.  How much work do you need done?  How similar to the natural state of the breast would you like to achieve?  The surgeon’s expertise could also affect the cost.

Is Breast Reconstruction Painful?

Occasional pains in the reconstructed area are to be expected.  For the few days after the surgery, one can expect to have the normal swelling and bruising associated with any type of surgery.  These pains can be diminished with the help of medicine.  If prolonged pains are occurring in the area, then it would be best to consult your surgeon, as there may be a more serious problem present.

Is Breast Reconstruction Safe?

Studies have shown that breast reconstruction is safe as far as not increasing the chance of a recurrence of cancer in the patient.  There is the typical risk that is always involved any time a general anesthetic is administered.

What is it?

Reduction mammoplasty (also breast reduction and reduction mammaplasty) is the plastic surgery procedure for correcting over-sized breasts. In a breast reduction surgery for re-establishing a functional bust that is proportionate to the woman’s body, the critical corrective consideration is the tissue viability of the nipple-areola complex (NAC), to ensure the functional sensitivity and lactational capability of the breasts. The indications for breast reduction surgery are three-fold — physical, aesthetic, and psychological — the restoration of the bust, of the woman’s self-image, and of her mental health. In corrective practice, the surgical techniques and praxis for reduction mammoplasty also are applied to mastopexy (breast lift). Moreover, the correction of gynecomastia (woman’s breast) is the analogous, enlarged male-breast reduction surgery procedure, wherein there is no consideration of lactation capability.

How much is brest reduction?

Breast reduction typically costs $5,000-$6,000.  This could escalate up to $20,000 depending on the complexity.  The costs include the surgeon fee, facility fee, anesthesia, medication and miscellaneous costs.

Is breast reduction painful?

You will more than likely experience some breast pain and swelling for the first few days after the surgery.  The discomfort can last for a week or longer in some cases.  Swelling and bruising can last up to several weeks.

Is breast reduction safe?

You can experience delayed healing.  You may have permanent scars on your breasts.  You could end up having breasts or nipples that are mismatched and look slightly different.    There could be permanent loss of feeling in the nipple area.  You may lose the ability to breast feed.  Loss of blood could lead to tissue death in the area.  In very rare cases infection can result, and if untreated, could lead to severe health risks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_reduction