Breast surgery can be done with two options: a woman can undergo breast reconstruction surgery with implants or 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 mastectomy for nipple and skin sparing can be performed by a woman. Both methods can cause scarring. Breast surgeries may not be for everyone.
Breast reduction surgery
Most breast reduction surgeries can be performed outpatient. Patients may experience swelling and discoloration immediately after the procedure. This swelling will gradually disappear. The stitches and bandages will be removed within a few days. Patients should refrain from engaging in strenuous activity for approximately a month. There will be some discomfort after a breast reduction, but they will become less noticeable and more natural over time. The results of surgery can be seen six to twelve months after the procedure.
Following the surgery, the surgeon will place an incision in the skin along the natural crease of the breasts. These incisions will be used to remove excess fat and skin. Women may have their areolae raised. The surgeon will close off the incision by using dissolvable external and internal sutures. The patient may need to remain in the hospital for up to an overnight period during recovery. After the surgery, the patient is released from the hospital. It can take approximately two to five hours to finish the surgery.
A mastectomy that is nipple-sparing
A Nipple-sparing mastectomy is an alternative to radiation treatment for breast cancer. This procedure preserves the breasts of the patient while avoiding radiation treatments. 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. This type of surgery is generally a viable option for those with large or small chests.
This type of surgery, though not easily accessible, is very effective. It preserves the entire envelope of breast skin, including the nipple and the darker circle of skin surrounding it. Usually, a breast reconstruction is performed immediately following a NSM. While it is not commonly used for mastectomy, it is becoming a more popular option to traditional breast cancer treatments. Its many benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
A skin-saving 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 the surgeon reconstruct the breasts without scarring. The surgeon will use a flap or implant to replace the lost volume. There are two types. The TRAM and Latissimus versions of skin-sparing breastectomy. Each uses tissues and muscles from the body to reconstruct breasts.
There are a number of advantages of skin-sparing mastectomy, including the preservation of the inframammary fold and native skin envelope. The procedure improves the cosmetic results of the reconstructed breast by preserving the inframammary fold and native skin envelope. This reduces the need to perform contralateral symmetrizing. However, skin-sparing matectomies can pose a few risks.
Modified radical mastectomy
Modified radical mastectomy can be a safer option than a full-thickness mastectomy. Modified radical mastectomy does not remove the entire breast. This type is also good for breast tissue preservation. However, not all surgeons are trained to perform these procedures, and you should consult with your doctor before deciding which surgery to have.
While most hospitals are adopting a traditional modified radical mastectomy, it is not yet widely used. Modified radical mastectomy techniques traditionally focus on protecting the anterior and intercostobrachial nervous systems. The goal is to preserve the nerves for their pure sensory functions. These techniques are similar to those used by Halsted Meyer, Patey, and Meyer. Moore61 in 1867 described a similar approach.