subject: What You Should Know Before Your Breast Reconstruction Surgery [print this page] Whether you made the choice yourself or a doctor recommended it, breast reconstruction surgery can be a daunting undertaking. No matter why you decide to move ahead with this decision, it is important for you to understand what is involved so you will feel more confident and comfortable with the procedure.
If you are about to have a mastectomy, you don't have to have reconstructive surgery right afterwards. Even though studies show that women who have the procedure done right after their mastectomy generally have less emotional and physical adjustments to make, it is ultimately your call. If you don't understand what is involved or are not entirely confident about it, then you should definitely hold off making this decision until you get more information for you to make a more informed choice. This will help you to prepare if you decide that breast reconstruction surgery is the perfect option for you.
Although many women are considered good candidates for the procedure, those who entertain certain habits are not. Women who have a history of smoking, diabetes or heart disease will greatly affect your ability to have this surgery. Your risk for complications will significantly increase if you have these problems.
Since this is a major decision, it is very important for you to think about how your new chest will feel. Your doctor can provide you with pictures of previous patients who have undergone the same procedure that you are considering to give you a better idea of what you can expect. They can also put you in contact with other women who have at one time or another found themselves in the same position that you are. This can be a very stressful and trying time for you. That is why it is recommended that you don't rush to make any decisions without having all of the facts first. Take some time to think about how this will affect your life. You can always postpone your decision until you have had more time after your mastectomy to see if you would feel more comfortable with prosthesis instead.
You need to know that if you do decide to get breast reconstruction surgery, your new chest will not feel and look completely like your own natural breasts, however they do look very close to them. Many women who have undergone the procedure have reported high levels of satisfaction with their new chests. Depending on how extensive your mastectomy is, you may have a few options available as far as rebuilding your chest. If there is a good amount of tissue left, you could get implants to give you the shape that you had to sacrifice. Your surgeon could also use a flap surgery to create your chest. This is done when your surgeon uses extra skin, tissue and muscle from another area on your body and places it into your chest. Keep in mind that breast reconstruction surgery that is done with the flap procedure tend to last much longer and feel more natural.
by: Anna Woodward
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