7 Things You Might Not Know About Delayed Breast Reconstruction!

1. Majority of survivors are good candidates.

Everyone situation is different, but patients who are interested in reconstruction typically a candidate.

2. Quality of life can improve from breast reconstruction.

“Perhaps nobody ever told you about plastic surgery and you’ve been walking around feeling less feminine or less whole. For patients like this, breast reconstruction can be life-changing,” says Sacks, Director of Oncological Reconstruction in the Department ofPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Breast reconstruction can greatly improve a woman’s sense of wholeness and well-being. It can help the pain and chest tightness associated with radiation treatment.

3. Prognosis can be cumbersome.

Protheses can become extremely heavy and hard to fit with clothing. Breast reconstruction can be a great solution to restoring your confidence and create a natural feel.

4. You don’t have to live with scars.

Reconstruction surgery over the last decade has greatly improved like reducing the number of imperfections, indentations, and appearance of scars.

5. Waiting is OK.

In many cases,  your reconstruction will look good if you do it during surgery or if you wait until after.

Even if you were counseled against breast reconstruction at the time of your treatment, advances in reconstructive techniques may qualify you for the procedure.

6. Pick what fits you. 

Talk with your surgeon because they can work with you and create a customized treatment plan for you. There are options you can always choose from like breaking up the reconstruction into less and shorter ones or one long surgery.  Additionally, you can select reconstruction using implants made of saline or silicone.

7. It’s covered by insurance.

Health care costs are always a concern for all patients. For breast reconstruction, it doesn’t have to be. Reconstruction and all post-mastectomy procedures are required to be covered by the law.