Breast reconstruction

Many women undergo surgical removal of breasts – mastectomy. In Lithuania, approximately 1,200 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, while this number in the United States accounts for approx 180,000. Nevertheless, today women who have won their battle over cancer desease are given the choice to have breast reconstruction, improving self-confidence, recovering femininity and sexuality. As indicated by many women, this enormously contributes to emotional recovery.

The general anesthesia is administered, while reconstruction of the nipples is made under the local anesthesia.

Breast reconstruction can be carried out immediately following the mastectomy or choosing to perform delayed reconstruction after 6 months or even several years. Majority of multifunctional health centers have plastic surgeons working together with surgical oncologists. Therefore you can obtain all the relevant information from your doctor.

Breast reconstruction can be performed using several plastic surgery techniques, thus consulting with your plastic surgeon is recommended. Post-surgical hospitalization may last from 1 to 5 days.

The most common techniques are:

• Breast reconstruction using breast implants / tissue expanders
• Breast reconstruction using the latissimus dorsi muscle (broadest muscle of the back) (sometimes using the breast implant at the same time)
• Breast reconstruction using tissues of the abdomen, buttocks or other parts of the patient’s body.
• Breast reconstruction using the patient’s fat.