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Do reconstructed breasts look normal?

Do reconstructed breasts look normal?

The benefit is that the reconstruction looks more like a natural breast. The shape, feel, and contour of a breast made from a woman’s own tissue are more like those of a natural breast. But flap surgery is more involved than implant surgery.

How big of implants can you get after a mastectomy?

There may be a role for implants larger than 800 mL for patients undergoing post-mastectomy breast reconstruction in the United States. The FDA has recently approved ATHENA, a clinical trial that will allow patients to select breast implants with larger volumes ranging from 800 to 1445 mL for breast reconstruction.

How long do implants last after mastectomy?

One can expect your implant to last approximately 10 to 15 years. Since a woman may not always feel or see when a rupture in her implants has occurred, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) may be needed every few years to monitor for any sign of trouble.

How long does a mastectomy with implant reconstruction take?

The duration of these surgeries (per breast) can take anywhere from 2 to 3 hours for a mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction or 6 to 12 hours for mastectomy and reconstruction with your own tissue. After the reconstruction is complete, your breast surgeon will attach temporary drainage tubes to your breast.

How painful is breast reconstruction after mastectomy?

Right after the surgery, you will probably feel weak, and you may feel pain for 2 to 3 weeks. You may have a pulling or stretching feeling in your breast area. You can expect to feel better and stronger each day, although you may need pain medicine for a week or two.

How do you make nipples after mastectomy?

To create the nipple, the plastic surgeon uses skin from the area on the breast where the new nipple will be located. This involves making small incisions, forming the tissue into a nipple shape, and securing it with stitches. The areola may be created later by tattooing.

Can you keep your nipples after a mastectomy?

When treating breast cancer with a mastectomy, the nipple is typically removed along with the rest of the breast. (Some women might be able to have a nipple-sparing mastectomy, where the nipple is left in place.

What are the safest implants 2020?

Saline implants are considered to be the safest option. An estimated 45-percent of women who choose silicone gel implants have to undergo reoperations within 10 years of the initial surgery.

What is better round or teardrop implants?

Most patients will benefit more from a round breast implant, particularly if their main consideration is to augment the size of the breast and give it more of a lift. Teardrop implants are riskier, more expensive, and may need to be fixed later on.

How painful is mastectomy recovery?

Right after the surgery, you will probably feel weak, and you may feel sore for 2 to 3 days. You may feel pulling or stretching near or under your arm. You may also have itching, tingling, and throbbing in the area. This will get better in a few days.

Is a breast biopsy painful?

There are two main types of breast biopsies: needle biopsies and surgical biopsies. You may feel discomfort during the procedure, which can last about 15 to 20 minutes, but it’s minimal. Tenderness, bruising and tingling are normal side effects and are considered harmless.

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Ruth Doyle