Female Plastic Surgeons and Breast Reconstruction

Your female plastic surgeon may be able to assist you if you are facing the loss of a breast due to cancer or other disease. Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure to recreate the contour of your breast, using either a prosthesis or your own tissues. (Breast implants are indicated for females for breast augmentation surgery where the patient is at least 18 years of age, and for reconstruction of the female breast.) Great strides have been made in the field of breast reconstruction in recent years, resulting in more aesthetic breast shape and appearance. While your female plastic surgeon will make every effort to restore your breast, it is important for you to realize that your reconstructed breast will not look or feel exactly like your natural breast. While it is not for everyone, many women who have undergone breast reconstruction experience a faster and more complete emotional recovery from the loss of their breast.

The type of breast reconstruction procedure available to you depends on your medical situation, your breast shape and size, your general health and lifestyle, and your goals. Every woman's situation is unique. Breast reconstruction can be accomplished by the use of a prosthesis (a breast implant) or your own tissues (a tissue flap).

The following links contain brief information about breast reconstruction and the commonly used breast reconstruction procedures. If you are considering breast reconstruction, your female plastic surgeon can provide you with more information that fully explains the risks and complications associated with breast implants, tissue flaps, and with surgery itself. It is recommended that you read all of the information provided before scheduling surgery, so that you have plenty of time to ask questions and evaluate all of your options.