Each breast reconstruction procedure begins with an individualized consultation with Beirut’s top plastic surgeon, Dr. Elie Abdelhak. During the consult, Dr. Elie will discuss patient concerns and the ultimate goals for the surgery.
Our medical staff will review your medical history and overall health, and will explain which reconstructive options might be best for you based on your age, health, body type, lifestyle, goals, and other factors.
The techniques used by Dr. Elie are various and the most suitable is decided after examination. Among the reconstructive options, we can enlist implants or “flap” techniques which use the patient’s own tissue to reshape a new breast.
The Day of Your Breast Reconstruction
After your mastectomy, you will have a breast reconstruction surgery using a tissue expander. In this type of reconstruction, Dr. Elie will make a pocket under a large muscle in your chest and place a tissue expander in that space. A tissue expander is an empty breast implant that will be filled with normal saline over 6 to 8 weeks. This process slowly stretches your skin and pectorals muscle (large muscle in your chest).
About 4 to 8 weeks after the tissue expansion is finished, you will have a second surgery to remove the tissue expander and insert the permanent breast implant. If you will be having chemotherapy or radiation therapy, your doctor will tell you when your implant will be placed.
Some individuals choose to also have nipple and areola (brown or pink circle around your nipple) reconstruction. If you decide to have nipple reconstruction, you can have about 2 to 4 months after the permanent breast implant is placed.
The surgery is done under general anesthesia for nearly 5 hours.
Recovery Time
The recovery time of breast reconstruction post mastectomy largely depends on the type of procedure performed. With implant based reconstruction, the average time ranges from 2 to 4 weeks back to a desk job.
You may be tired and sore for a few weeks after your surgery. Your doctor can prescribe medication to control your pain. You may have drainage tubes in place for a short time after your surgery to remove excess fluids that collect in the surgical site. Wearing an elastic bandage or support bra can help keep swelling down and support your breast while it heals.
Am I a candidate for breast reconstruction?
- You are a candidate for breast reconstruction if:
- You have surgery as part of their breast cancer treatment may choose breast reconstruction surgery to rebuild the shape and look of the breast.
FAQs
What do you expect from breast reconstruction?
After mastectomy or lumpectomy surgery, as well as after radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or other given therapies, Dr. Elie Abdelhak helps the patient regain her confidence and femininity by implanting a new breast that is symmetrically identical to the other breast which is lifted in most cases.
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