Breast Reconstruction

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer though a lot of awareness-raising campaigns are run. Tumour tissue or the whole breast should be removed by surgery sometimes. As a result, the patient can feel less feminine or incomplete. Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely because of the tumour. Breast reconstruction surgeries can be administered in conjunction with mastectomy in order to support the patient psychologically.

Book an appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

How is breast reconstruction surgery administered?

There are different methods to perform this surgery. The most preferred method is to enlarge the skin of the removed breast. It is a progressive surgery. After the mastectomy, the surgeon puts an artificial and temporary prosthesis under the skin of the removed breast. It is filled with salted water by gradual injections in order to enlarge the skin step by step. After achieving a desired enlargement on that area, temporary prosthesis is changed with the permanent prosthesis. Flap reconstruction method involves recreating the breast by tissues removed from the other areas of the body. It is also a progressive surgery. Recovery time of this surgery is longer and it will leave more scars compared to the skin enlargement method. Flap reconstruction method gives breasts a natural look.

Who can have this surgery?

Though all the patients whose breast is removed have this surgery, patients who do not have any parenchyma are more suitable for this surgery.

What happens after the surgery?

Breast reconstruction surgery has positive effects on the patient’s social life and general look. A research made in USA shows that 98% of people who have this surgery will prefer it again. There may be slight differences between the constructed and healthy breast but those differences cannot be noticed by other people. Breast reconstruction surgery aims to create a breast as similar to a natural one.

How long does the healing process take?

Breast reconstruction surgery is administered under general anaesthesia and its duration depends on the preferred method. While breast prosthesis method takes one or two hours, flap reconstruction method may take four or ten hours. The patient stays in the hospital for one three days if breast prosthesis method is used but the flap reconstruction method requires the patient to stay in the hospital for four or seven days. Drains which are put in order to evacuate the plethora are removed one or four days after the surgery. If silicone prosthesis is used for surgery, the patient resumes her life in a few days but resuming her life may take a week after a surgery in which flap reconstruction method is preferred. The patient should avoid lifting heavy things, having sexual intercourse or driving for four or eight weeks. Empurpling, swelling and aches will fade away day by day. Your surgeon will inform you about when you can do physical exercises. Generally, it is advised not to have sexual intercourse and not to do heavy physical exercises.

Will I need to have other surgeries after having breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction surgeries are completed in a few sessions. Flap revision, breast lift, breast reduction and silicone prosthesis implementation may be taken as further options. The nipple-areola can be created with different methods but it is not the same with a natural one. Some patients do not require the creation of a nipple-areola.

Discover Turkish Colours and Refresh Yourself!

If you want to get the best quality health service in the world, you are in the right place. Our well-trained, expert doctors will take good care of you in our hospitals equipped with the latest technologies. Our professional tourist guides will be with you to show you all the beauties of Istanbul during the remaining times. Not to mention our 5-star hotels. You know, hospitality is one of our most important values.