Breast Reconstruction
What is Breast Reconstruction (Mastectomy)?
A total mastectomy (simple mastectomy) is an surgery that removes the breast (tissue, ducts, lobules, fatty tissue and nipple). Mastectomies are primarily performed to remove or prevent breast cancer.
Lymph nodes are not removed with this procedure, although a sentinel node biopsy may be done. A scar across the chest where the breast is removed is present.
There are different types of mastectomy to deal with different medical situations. Mastectomies can successfully treat a number of different cancer types.
The type of mastectomy that’s right for you depends on several things, including:
- Your age
- General health
- Menopause status
- Tumor size
- Tumor stage (how far it’s spread)
- Tumor grade (its aggressiveness)
- Tumor’s hormone receptor status
- Whether or not lymph nodes are involved
Simple total mastectomy surgery: A simple mastectomy involves removing the breast along with an ellipse of skin that encompasses the nipple-areola complex. Unlike a radical mastectomy, it does not involve removal of the underlying muscles and uninvolved lymph nodes
Double mastectomy : A double mastectomy refers to the removal of both breasts. If you need, or choose to have a mastectomy, you may also consider having breast reconstruction surgery.
Generally, you will stay in the hospital for one to two days.
