As if the breast cancer diagnosis isn’t frightening enough, regaining a sense of normalcy after such an event may be one of the most challenging roads you will ever walk. One of the steps to wholeness for many women after this journey is breast reconstruction. Dr Teston understands the importance of this process, and will work closely with you and your oncologist to ensure your breast reconstruction works with your treatment and gives you the results you are looking for.
Before you begin the reconstruction process, you need to determine whether breast reconstruction is the right choice for you. While this step is an essential one for many women, it isn’t right for every breast cancer patient. Some of the reasons you might choose breast reconstruction include:
Dr Teston understands that this is a difficult decision, and she will work with you to help you decide if this is the right choice for you.
If you decide to move forward with breast reconstruction, you will have a number of options to consider. Timing of the surgery and the type of reconstruction you want can be tailored to you and your expectations. Dr Teston will spend plenty of time with you to identify your specific needs and your desired results to determine when and how breast reconstruction will be most beneficial.
Some of the choices you will need to make during the breast reconstruction process include:
For some women, breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the surgery to remove the cancer or the breast. This is known as immediate breast construction. Some women need to wait for this procedure, to allow for additional treatment to take place. This is referred to as delayed breast construction. In some cases, preparations may be made for the breast reconstruction at the time of the initial cancer treatment and then completed later. This is known as immediate-delayed reconstruction.
Your choice of timing will depend on the type of surgery you have undergone as part of your treatment, and whether additional treatment will be needed. Since chemotherapy and radiation can impact the effects of your breast reconstruction, you may be advised to wait until these treatments are over to commence your reconstruction process. It is important for your oncologist and plastic surgeon to work together to come up with the best plan for you.
When the time comes for your breast reconstruction, you will have different options here as well:
Breast reconstruction is performed in an accredited hospital under general anaesthesia. The details of the procedure will depend on the specific type of technique used and the timing of the reconstruction. You will likely spend at least one night in the hospital after your surgery, where you will be cared for by an attentive nursing staff. Once you are released to go home, you may have a compression garment or special surgical bra to keep the breasts in place during the healing process. These garments are also effective in reducing swelling after breast reconstruction surgery so you have a quicker and more comfortable recovery.
Depending on the specific procedure you choose for your breast reconstruction, you may be able to return to regular activities around two weeks after your surgery. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity will be restricted longer to ensure your breasts have plenty of time to heal. Breast reconstruction offers permanent results in most cases, giving breast cancer survivors an opportunity to regain their appearance and control of their bodies once again.
Patients can have the confidence that all of the information regarding breast implants are recorded into The Australian Breast Device Registry. All of the Hospitals that Dr Teston is affiliated with Kareena Private, St George Private and Bankstown Public will, following your surgery input your information into the data base of the registry. This is so that in the future if you ever require the information about the implants it can be retrieved from The Australian Breast Device Registry. This information collated includes type of implants used, manufacture, serial numbers, reason for surgery and the technique used and is a secure approved National Register.
Breast reconstruction can be an important part of the healing process for breast cancer survivors. To learn more about your choices in breast reconstruction, contact Dr Teston’s office today at (02) 9708 3511 to set up your personal appointment with Dr Teston.
*The information about Breast Reconstruction was reviewed by Dr. Leana Teston. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.
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C/58 Kitchener Parade, Bankstown NSW 2200