breast reconstruction mt juliet and lebanon tnA breast cancer diagnosis is absolutely devastating. Finding out that surgery is also necessary to treat the disease, can make the situation overwhelming. For many women, the thought of losing one or both breasts can be just as terrifying as the cancer diagnosis itself. Thankfully, surgical advancements have paved the way for better reconstruction options.

The goal of reconstruction surgery is to restore the shape, appearance, and symmetry of the breasts after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. The type of breast cancer a patient has, the location of the tumor, and the stage of cancer all factor into the recommended course of action.

When facing breast cancer surgery, it can be comforting to know that there are different options available. Most reconstructions fall under two categories: implant and flap surgery.

  • Implant

  • This is the most common type of reconstruction. Silicone or saline implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so the patient may customize their implants and achieve a more natural result.
  • Flap

  • This procedure uses the patient’s tissue, including skin and fat, in order to reconstruct the breast. The tissue can be taken from different areas, depending on availability and the patient’s preference.  Also, the results from this procedure may last longer than implants, because implants will eventually need to be replaced.

In most cases, breast reconstruction takes multiple procedures, but there are instances where breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as a mastectomy. That allows the patient to only undergo one round of anesthesia and only one recovery period. It can also be comforting for patients to wake up from the mastectomy with their breasts reconstructed.

Breast cancer is a terrifying diagnosis. Having a qualified, board-certified surgeon on your team can help put your mind at ease. Dr. Lett will work with you to determine the reconstruction plan that best fits your specific needs. To learn more contact The Lett Center today.