Breast reconstruction plastic surgery can be undertaken using various techniques. Depending on the technique chosen and if the surgery is performed along with a mastectomy or later, the steps of the plastic surgery procedure will vary.
During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will discuss the procedure steps to inform and reassure the patient on what the surgery process will involve.
Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides breast reconstruction patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding locations.
Anesthesia
Breast reconstruction surgery is a significant procedure and is typically performed with the patient under general anesthesia. During the surgery, the patient will not be awake and will not feel any pain or have any memory of the surgery regaining consciousness.
The patient’s health condition and history of drug allergies will also be reviewed before she is deemed fit to receive anesthesia.
Incisions
Once the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will initiate the reconstructive plastic surgery procedure by placing the incisions in a targeted and inconspicuous manner. The surgical techniques used will determine the size and location of the incisions.
The flap technique involves a greater number of incisions as tissue relocation between areas is involved. The implant method will require fewer incisions. The type of technique chosen and the size and number of incisions will impact the time taken to recover as well as the level of scarring.
Developing New Breast
As decided during the surgical planning stage, the surgeon will develop the breast mound using either the implant or flap method.
Implant Reconstruction
This procedure takes place in various stages. At the outset, the surgeon will place an expander beneath the skin and chest muscle to expand the area.
After that, they will add liquid to the expander over the next few weeks and months to stretch the skin enough to hold the implant. Saline or silicone implants will be placed when the skin has stretched appropriately.
Sometimes, the surgeon may perform both these steps simultaneously. To eliminate the need for the second stage of the procedure, permanent skin expanders may be used as implants. The surgeon will develop the optimal treatment approach in close discussion with the patient.
Flap Reconstruction
In this technique, the surgeon will remove excess tissue from a donor area and relocate it to the breast region. The blood vessels in the tissue that has been relocated will be re-attached to new ones in the breast. The surgeon will use the new tissue to create the breast mound. In certain cases of flap reconstruction, an implant may also be placed.
Bandages and Sutures
After the surgeon creates a natural and symmetrical looking breast mound, they will seal the incisions using sutures and dress them with bandages. The surgeon will provide them with comprehensive guidelines for sutures and bandages to reduce the possibility of infection development.
The patient should avoid putting any strain in the incision sites for six weeks after the surgery to enjoy a safe and rapid recovery. In the case of conventional sutures, the surgeon will remove them in around a week to 10 days after the surgery.
Female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas, and nearby areas for breast reconstruction.
For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board-certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.
