Important facts about breast reconstruction and breast reduction surgery
At one time, breast surgery was generally taken to mean breast enhancement and was thought to be undergone mainly by Playboy Bunnies, aspiring actresses and trophy wives. These days, however, breast surgery can be any one of several operations and is often undergone by everyday women, usually for medical reasons.
With the incidence of breast cancer unfortunately on the rise, lumpectomies (the removal of a tumor) and mastectomies (the removal of all breast tissue) are becoming more common. These breast surgeries are performed mainly to treat cancer, though some women with especially high risks of developing breast cancer undergo mastectomies as a preventive measure.
Breast reconstruction—the surgical restoration of the breast shape—may be performed at the same time as a mastectomy or during a second surgery later on. There are two possible sources of breast reconstruction material: breast implants or living tissue from another site on the body (most commonly from the lower abdomen, called the TRAM flap). Which material is used and when the procedure is performed will depend on a variety of factors, including the patient’s prognosis and overall health, as well as her personal preference, since, after all, she is the one undergoing surgery and living with the results.
Another common breast surgery is the breast reduction. The opposite of breast enhancement or breast augmentation, breast reduction surgery is often prescribed for women with overly large breasts, particularly when the weight of their breasts causes chronic back pain or circulation and respiratory problems. To reduce the size of the breasts, a surgeon removes fat, skin and glandular tissue. He or she may also reposition the areola and nipple to conform to the new breast size.
Unlike breast augmentation, which is still generally considered a purely cosmetic surgery, breast reduction and breast reconstruction are usually covered by health insurance plans, at least in part, because they are prescribed medical treatments.
