What Is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure to rebuild the shape and look of the breast after mastectomy, lumpectomy, or trauma. This procedure can restore symmetry, appearance, and confidence for patients who have undergone breast cancer treatment or experienced congenital deformities.

Why Choose Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction surgery is a highly personal decision, offering numerous benefits that extend far beyond physical appearance. It plays a significant role in emotional and psychological healing after a mastectomy or in addressing developmental breast conditions.

Key Benefits of Breast Reconstruction:

• Restored Body Image: Helps to re-establish a sense of physical integrity and femininity, which can be profoundly impactful after breast loss.
• Enhanced Confidence: Many women report feeling more comfortable in clothing, swimwear, and intimate situations, leading to increased self-esteem.
• Improved Balance: Restores physical symmetry, which can alleviate issues like neck and back pain that sometimes occur due to imbalance.
• Elimination of External Prosthetics: Reduces the need for cumbersome external breast forms, offering greater freedom and comfort.
• Psychological Well-being: Contributes significantly to emotional recovery, helping women move forward from the cancer experience with a renewed sense of normalcy.

Why Do Patients Seek Revision?

• Capsular contracture (scar tissue hardening around implants)
• Asymmetry or imbalance
• Implant rupture, leakage, or rippling
• Discomfort or pain
• Dissatisfaction with aesthetic outcomes
• Aging or weight changes affecting results
• Desire to switch from implants to autologous tissue (e.g., DIEP flap)

Comprehensive Breast Reconstruction Procedures

At WIH International Hospital, we offer a full spectrum of breast reconstruction options, ensuring a personalized approach that aligns with your body, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals. Our surgeons will discuss the pros and cons of each method with you to determine the most suitable choice.

Primary Breast Reconstruction Options:

·         1. Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction:

This is one of the most common methods, involving the use of saline or silicone implants to create breast volume.

• Direct-to-Implant: In suitable candidates, an implant can be placed immediately after mastectomy.
• Two-Stage Reconstruction (Tissue Expander & Implant): Often, a tissue expander is first placed under the skin and chest muscle. Over several weeks, it’s gradually filled with saline to stretch the skin and create a pocket. Once sufficient skin has been expanded, a second surgery replaces the expander with a permanent breast implant.
• Benefits: Less invasive, shorter surgery time, faster initial recovery compared to flap procedures, and no donor site scarring.
• Considerations: Requires foreign material (implant), potential for future implant-related issues (e.g., capsular contracture), may feel less natural than tissue-based reconstruction.

·         2. Autologous (Tissue Flap) Breast Reconstruction:

This method uses your body tissue (skin, fat, and sometimes muscle) from another part of your body to reconstruct the breast. These procedures often provide a very natural feel and appearance, as the tissue ages with you.

• DIEP Flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) Reconstruction: Considered the gold standard for many, this advanced microsurgical technique uses skin and fat from your lower abdomen (similar to a tummy tuck) but preserves the abdominal muscle. The tissue, along with its blood vessels, is reconnected to blood vessels in the chest.
  • Benefits: Creates a natural-feeling breast that ages with your body, no foreign material, potentially excellent long-term results.
  • Considerations: More complex and longer surgery, longer initial recovery, requires a donor site, and requires highly specialized microsurgical expertise.
• Other Flap Options: Depending on your unique anatomy, other tissue donor sites might be considered, such as the back (Latissimus Dorsi flap) or buttocks (SGAP/IGAP flap).

·         3. Combination Techniques:

In some cases, a combination of implants and autologous tissue or fat grafting may be used to achieve the optimal aesthetic outcome.

The Reconstruction Process: What to Expect

1. Initial Consultation & Assessment:

Your private consultation with our plastic surgeon is crucial. We will discuss your medical history, evaluate your anatomy, and understand your expectations. This is the ideal time to ask all your questions about breast reconstruction options and the surgical process.

2. Personalized Treatment Plan:

Based on your detailed assessment, your surgeon will recommend the most appropriate breast reconstruction procedure for you. The plan will outline the surgical technique, expected outcomes, potential risks, and a preliminary recovery timeline.

3. The Procedure:

Breast reconstruction surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The duration varies significantly depending on the chosen technique. Our expert surgical team prioritizes your safety and comfort throughout.

4. Recovery & Follow-Up:

You will receive comprehensive post-operative instructions for managing pain, caring for your incisions, and activity restrictions. Swelling and bruising are normal and will gradually subside. Follow-up appointments with your surgeon and our physiotherapy team are crucial for monitoring your healing progress, managing drains (if applicable), and guiding your return to activity.

Ready to Begin Your Reconstruction Journey?

If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery or wish to learn more about your breast reconstruction options after mastectomy or for congenital conditions, the compassionate and expert team at WIH International Hospital is here to guide you. We are dedicated to helping you achieve natural, beautiful results and renew your confidence.

WIH International Hospital – Your Partner in Comprehensive Reconstructive Surgery in Bangkok.