Women who have lost one or both breasts due to cancer or mastectomy can now take advantage of cutting-edge reconstruction techniques. Which breast reconstruction procedure is right for you?

Your plastic surgeon can work with you to identify which surgery is best for you depending on your specific needs. Learn more about the process alternatives below.

Natural Tissue vs. Implant Reconstruction

Implant reconstruction takes around an hour when done on both sides (bilaterally). It requires a one to two-day hospital stay when performed during mastectomy and can be performed as an outpatient if reconstruction is postponed. However, if you choose an implant, you will be introducing a foreign item into your body, which increases your chance of infection shortly after plastic surgery. Furthermore, the implant may shift and become misaligned, or malfunction in other ways.

One of the most prevalent issues is capsular contracture, which occurs when the scar tissue (capsule) that grows around the implant tightens, causing the breast to feel hard, uncomfortable, and deformed.

It is also worth noting that when implants are utilized for reconstruction, a woman's breast tissue is reduced to a minimum. As a result, breasts repaired with implants will not feel or appear as natural as breasts augmented with implants for cosmetic purposes. 

However, women who get implants might expect to have more breast sensation than those who undergo natural tissue reconstruction.

An implant will rupture and require more surgery at some point. The average implant lifespan is 13.5 years. Replacement of an implant typically takes around 30 minutes and can be performed as an outpatient.

Natural Tissue Reconstruction

With this method, the surgeon transfers tissue from one section of your body to produce a soft, full breast that will stay with you for the remainder of your life. However, depending on your needs, a tissue flap might be removed from the buttocks, thigh, or back.

Because the flap is formed from your own tissue, it will continue to function as a part of you, such as growing or shrinking in size as you gain or lose weight. Your breasts will look and feel more natural to the touch than breasts restored with implants.

It's crucial to understand that natural tissue repair may take longer and require more work upfront than implant reconstruction.

Patients frequently undergo revisional surgery to make the breasts seem as identical as feasible and to address any concerns with their abdominal scar. The second surgery is usually a one-hour outpatient procedure. Nipple reconstruction may be performed at this time or later as an outpatient operation.

Unilateral and Bilateral Mastectomy

A unilateral mastectomy involves the removal of only one breast, whereas a bilateral mastectomy involves both breasts. If you have cancer in one breast, you may choose to have the second breast removed concurrently as a cancer-preventative step.

If you have a bilateral mastectomy, you can reconstruct both breasts simultaneously using the same reconstructive procedure, whether you use implants or your own natural tissue. Alternatively, you may keep your natural, cancer-free breast and have a symmetry operation, such as a breast reduction or breast lift, to guarantee that your natural breast looks identical to your newly reconstructed breast.

Acellular Dermis

Acellular dermis is human tissue obtained from the back of a corpse and prepared to prevent rejection and infection. In recent years, surgeons have begun to use the acellular dermis as a valuable tool in breast reconstruction.

Following a mastectomy, there is very little breast tissue left. Acellular dermis merges into your own tissue, providing superior structural support. Women who postpone reconstruction usually have a tissue expander placed during the mastectomy to save room. Acellular dermis is utilized to make a sling that holds the tissue expander in place while also adding a layer of tissue between the expander and the skin.

When utilized with implant reconstruction, the acellular dermis reduces the implant's visibility and likelihood of being felt beneath the skin. It can assist manage the implant's position, define the breast crease, and contribute tissue for a more natural appearance.