Best Breast Reconstruction Surgery in Mumbai

Best Breast Reconstruction Surgery in Mumbai

You may want to opt for breast reconstruction if surgery is part of your breast cancer treatment. Breast reconstruction surgery can help restore the shape and appearance of a breast that has been removed by mastectomy, although the decision to undergo this procedure is highly personal. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our experts will guide and support you throughout your journey with compassionate, exceptional care. Our breast reconstruction surgery specialists offer advanced, personalised surgical options with excellent outcomes.

This article explains what breast reconstruction surgery is, who is a candidate for it, how long the process takes, what options are offered at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, and which method may be best for you, as well as the potential risks and outlook of the procedure.

What is Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

Breast reconstruction surgery is a procedure to reconstruct the size and shape of the breast and achieve symmetry following mastectomy (surgical removal of the entire breast) or lumpectomy (surgical removal of cancer cells and a small portion of surrounding healthy breast tissue). The goal is to give you the most natural look and make you feel whole again after breast cancer surgery. 

Breast reconstruction can be immediate (along with or right after a mastectomy) or delayed (after you’ve had cancer surgery and completed required treatment). Delayed reconstruction can be done months or even years after breast cancer surgery.

Surgeons can recreate a breast using implants (silicone or saline) or autologous tissue flap (tissue from another part of your body). Sometimes, surgeons use both implants and tissue to rebuild the breast. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our doctors will discuss your options and recommend a reconstruction method that’s best for you, after taking multiple factors into account.

Is Breast Reconstruction Surgery Right for Me?

While many women choose to reconstruct their breasts following a mastectomy or lumpectomy, some don’t. So, the decision to have this procedure done is very personal. 

You may consider breast reconstruction surgery for various reasons, like if you:

• Feel uncomfortable with a flat chest or using a prosthesis
• Hope to regain your breast shape permanently
• Want to make your clothes fit better and feel better about your body
• Want to enhance femininity and restore self-confidence
• Have been found to have a genetic mutation and need a prophylactic mastectomy to prevent cancer

However, you can skip breast reconstruction if you do not want more surgeries or are not healthy enough to undergo the procedure. While retaining your femininity is can help you regain a sense of wholeness, our goal is to help you live a long, cancer-free life. 

What Types of Breast Reconstruction Procedures are Offered at Fortis Hospital, Mulund?

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, you have the option to choose from several types of breast reconstruction surgery. Our skilled breast and plastic surgeons have extensive experience in performing a variety of breast reconstruction surgeries, including the most recent procedures. We offer the full range of options, including:

Flap or Autologous Reconstruction – this technique uses your own body tissue, usually from the lower abdomen, to reconstruct your breast. Your surgeon can also utilise tissue from your back, thighs, or buttocks. Women who opt for these procedures will have two surgical wounds – the breast and the site from where the tissue is taken. Flap surgery is a more complex procedure compared to implant reconstruction. It requires a longer operation and hospital stay. 

Flap surgery can be done in two ways – 

• Free flap (tissue is cut from its blood supply and attached to blood vessels in your chest)
• Pedicled flap (tissue is attached to blood vessels and is transferred to the breast area through your body)

There are various types of flat reconstruction, including:

• DIEP Flap
• TRAM Flap
• IGAP Flap
• Latissimus Dorsi (LD) Flap
• PAP Fap
• TUG Flap
• SIEA or SEIP Flap

Implant Reconstruction – to recreate the shape of your breast, the surgeon uses an implant filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water). This is the most common form of breast reconstruction, offering shorter surgery and quicker recovery time. 

The types of implant reconstruction include:

• Implant with tissue expander
• Above the chest
• Under the chest

Sometimes, surgeons may use a combination of implant and flap procedures to reconstruct a breast. 

Both implant and flap reconstructive surgeries will need multiple operations to achieve the desired results.

Oncoplastic Reconstruction – this procedure combines cancer surgery and plastic surgery techniques. It involves removing cancer cells from your breast and then simultaneously reconstructing (reducing or lifting) both breasts, so they’re symmetrical. Your surgeon may recommend this option if you’ve had a lumpectomy.

Deciding the Best Option for You

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our breast reconstruction team will help you understand each option, including the benefits, risks, and limits, before recommending a method that’s best for you based on various factors, such as:

• The type and the stage of breast cancer
• The kind of surgery (mastectomy) you had
• Whether additional treatments, such as radiation therapy, are required
• Your age 
• Your overall health and medical history
• Your body shape
• Your goals and desired appearance

How is Breast Reconstruction Surgery Done at Fortis Hospital, Mulund?

Before undergoing breast reconstruction surgery, our doctors will perform a comprehensive exam, including measuring and taking photographs of your breasts. They will provide instructions on how to prepare for surgery – such as, halting certain medications before the procedure.

This procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia, so you’ll be asleep and won’t feel any pain throughout surgery. 

During an implant reconstruction surgery, your plastic surgeon will place a breast implant in your chest.

During a flap reconstruction surgery, your surgeon will transfer a section of tissue from one part of your body to your chest. 

After the procedure, you will likely stay in the hospital for a few days. You may wear a surgical bra to reduce swelling and support your breasts as they heal. You may also have a thin tube under your skin to drain fluid and blood for some time.

At the time of hospital discharge, you’ll be given pain medications and detailed instructions on caring for your breasts. You should follow your doctor’s advice carefully as you recover at home. Consult your plastic surgeon right away if you have signs of infection, severe pain, or any concerns about your reconstruction.

Nipple Reconstruction

You may also need surgery to create a new nipple if you want, after you’ve healed from the flap procedure. This is called nipple reconstruction. However, this may not be required if you underwent a nipple-sparing mastectomy, where the nipple and areola are left in place. At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our experts will help you decide whether you want to have nipple and areola reconstructed through surgery or tattooing, or both. 

Recovery and Outlook

Recovery time varies for everyone, depending on the individual case, although most women can return to their usual activities within a couple of months. The breast reconstruction process can take up to 6-12 months before the final results can be seen.

Schedule regular follow-ups with your oncologist, because cancer can come back after breast reconstruction surgery. This also includes regular mammograms on the other breast for cancer screening, if you’ve had only one breast reconstructed.

It’s worth noting that while breast reconstruction surgery can give your breast a shape, restore body image and self-confidence, a reconstructed breast won’t look or feel the same as it did before a mastectomy. 

What are the Possible Risks and Side Effects of Breast Reconstruction Surgery?

Some of the possible risks and side effects of breast reconstruction surgery include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Pain
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Wound healing problems
• Problems related to anaesthesia
• Blood clots
• Fatigue
• Uneven breasts
• Changes in sensation
• Fluid build-up in the breast or donor site 
• Tissue death (necrosis)
• Implant failure

Conclusion

Breast reconstruction can be an effective option to improve breast symmetry after a mastectomy or lumpectomy, helping you restore body image and self-confidence. However, not every woman who undergoes a cancer surgery may choose breast reconstruction surgery. If you’ve decided to have this procedure, you can rely on our breast reconstruction surgery team at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, for compassionate, expert care. Our specialists will help you understand your options and develop a personalised surgery plan that meets your needs and goals.