Breast reconstruction

Informations about breast reconstruction

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the Western world. Normally, at breast cancer surgery, the the entire breast, including the nipple and glands in the armpit is removed.
This leaves a completely flat chest without the nipple and areola, with a large scar across the chest.

Sometimes, a breast reconstruction is performed directly related to the breast cancer surgery, for an immediate reconstruction. But it is also common to do a late reconstruction long after.
Most women prefer an immediate reconstruction, if possible. It may also be easier to identify with their new breasts if the reconstruction is done in conjunction with the breast cancer surgery.
A breast that has been removed can be reconstructed in two ways: Either you put in an breast implant, or you take tissue from another part of the body to replace lost breast tissue.

The technology used depends on several factors, and of course patient wishes.  For example what type of cancer you have had and where you choose to do the surgery.
At Victoriakliniken we do reconstructive surgery with implants. Most often, the procedure must be done in several stages. If there are ugly scars left behind from the breast cancer operation, they will be corrected. Then, the remaining skin is “expanded” with the help of an expander, so that enough skin is available to cover the implant.
If this is not enough, extra skin is taken from elsewhere on the body.
In a later procedure, a nipple will be created, and finally, an areola is tattooed around the nipple, when the scars have healed properly.

Usually if you stay one or two days at the clinic in conjunction with breast reconstruction.

You get painkillers for one to two weeks after surgery. Recovery can take one to five weeks.
It is also common to have to undergo more surgery to achieve optimal results.