What is Breast Repair – Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction, or more commonly known as breast repair surgery is a frequently and successfully performed plastic surgery operation in which the breast is repaired and restructured after removal of the breast due to a tumor or another reason.

Why is Breast Repair – Breast Reconstruction Done?

The breast is one of the most aesthetically attractive physical parts of the female body. Psychological problems are observed in women who have undergone breast removal (mastectomy) surgery for cancer or any other reason. These problems also lead to problems such as depression, anxiety about recurrence of the disease, and sexual reluctance.

A new breast is made in place of the breast removed by breast reconstruction surgery. In this way, the self-confidence of women increases and it helps to reduce these problems.

Breast reconstruction is often performed together with breast removal (mastectomy).

Who are the Patient Candidates for Breast Reconstruction (Breast Repair) Surgery?

Women who have undergone breast removal (mastectomy) surgery for cancer or any other reason are suitable for this operation.

Preoperative Examination

Patient candidates who are considering breast reconstruction (Breast Repair) surgery should first seek the opinion of a specialist plastic surgeon. As Soyep, we observe the following issues regarding the patient during the examination:

The realism of the patient’s expectations about the surgery
The patient’s mental health
The patient’s medical history and diseases, if any
If the patient has allergies
Medicines used by the patient
The patient’s use of cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs, if any

The patient candidate should quit smoking, alcohol and blood thinners such as aspirin before the operation.

As a result of the examination, our doctors decide on what kind of operation will be performed on the patient after diagnosing these issues.

Operational Information

Breast reconstruction surgery can be done in 2 ways. Breast tissue can be created with parts (autogenous tissues) taken from the patient’s own tissue. Or breast tissue can be created using an implant (prosthesis). Which of these methods will be chosen is chosen according to certain criteria:

Patient’s age
Health situation
The preferred method in mastectomy surgery applied to the patient
Whether or not to receive radiotherapy
Physical condition such as height, weight
Size and condition of the breasts

Breast reconstruction method is selected according to such criteria.

If the implant reconstruction method is chosen, drop (anatomical) implants are generally preferred here. Round implants may also be preferred, albeit rarely.

If breast reconstruction is chosen with tissues taken from different parts of the body (autogenous tissues) instead of implants, tissue should be taken from the abdomen or back. This is called flap reconstruction. This is a much more complex operation and recovery time is longer than with implant reconstruction. However, if flap reconstruction is performed, it also helps to get rid of excess skin and fat, if any, in areas such as the abdomen from which the tissue is taken.

Breast reconstruction with autogenous tissues is an operation that requires expertise in microsurgery. The thin veins of the removed tissues and the thin veins in the breast area can be stitched to each other with the help of microsurgery and microscope.

Breast reconstruction surgery is performed with more than one operation. In the first operation, the breast tissue is formed with an implant or autogenous tissue placed between the breast muscle and the breast skin. In the next operation, the brownish area around the nipple and areola, which we call the nipple, is reconstructed. In this surgery performed with local anesthesia, tattooing can be done on the areola or skin taken from the other nipple or groin can be used.

After breast reconstruction surgery, asymmetry usually occurs between the breasts. This asymmetry may need to be corrected with breast augmentation, breast reduction or breast lift operations. You can find more information about breast augmentation, breast reduction and breast lift operations from our operations pages.

After the Operation

After breast reconstruction (breast repair) surgery, the patient appears to have pain. Painkillers should be used to prevent this. It may be necessary to stay in the hospital for 2-5 days after the operation.

After the removal of the breast, a loss of sensation occurs in the breast. With breast repair, this loss of sensation does not completely recover, but the loss of sensation decreases over time.

The patient can return to his daily life routine after 2-4 weeks.

There will be scars after the operation. These scars decrease in 1-2 years, but do not disappear completely. The experience and technique of the surgeon in breast reconstruction surgery greatly affect the visibility of the scars at this point.