Breast reconstruction plastic surgery is a significant procedure, and the patient should make a judicious decision.
The reconstruction process may involve a number of procedures over several months. For this reason, a patient should assess all options to establish which one is most appropriate for her.
The surgeon will offer in-depth information to the patient to guide them towards making a well-considered choice. They will also establish her as a candidate for breast reconstruction surgery.
Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides breast reconstruction to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding locations.
Good Candidates
A good candidate for breast reconstructions surgery is a woman who has had one or both breasts removed due to cancer and seeking to restore the appearance of her breasts. The patient can undergo the reconstruction process during her mastectomy or at a later date.
It is important for the patient to have reasonable expectations from this procedure. She must understand that reconstruction cannot create breasts that look and feel similar to natural breasts. Despite this, breast reconstruction can provide the patient with significant emotional and physical benefits in the long-term.
But not every woman who has undergone a mastectomy is a suitable candidate for a breast reconstruction procedure. A decent candidate for this procedure is a woman who:
- Interested in restoring the shape and size of her breasts
- Is not a smoker or is amenable to stop smoking according to the surgeon’s guidelines
- Has coped well with cancer treatments and mastectomy
- Is free of cancer
- Does not have serious diabetes or hypertension
- Has clear objectives and reasonable expectations from the surgery
Patients with diabetes or heart disease can experience a higher level of risk during breast reconstruction surgery. Such patients can also be more susceptible to post-operative complications.
Implant and Flap Reconstruction Candidates
Patients who are considering reconstructive procedures such as gluteal, latissimus, DIEP flap, or dorsi techniques should be free of additional medical issues that can affect their surgery.
These techniques involve sourcing tissue from various parts of the body to create the new breast and are more invasive in comparison to the implant method of breast reconstruction.
The flap technique is often recommended to patients who require the reconstruction of only one breast, or unilateral breast reconstruction. The benefit of the flap technique is that it can match the look and feel of the natural breast better.
Bilateral Patients
The implant technique may be more suitable for older candidates as this method is less invasive and involves lesser healing time. Women with insufficient availability of excess tissue also benefit more from this technique. The implant technique provides bilateral patients with more symmetrical results.
Breast reconstruction plastic surgery is only suitable for candidates who are willing to commit significant time and effort in preparing and recovering from this procedure.
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.
