Breast Cancer Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy can be a difficult decision for women to make. There are many options available to suit each individual person tailored to womens needs. Broadly speaking reconstruction involves Implants or using patients own skin and fat also known a free flap.
Implant or Free Tissue Transfer
Free Flap Surgery
including DIEP
Ms Dhalia Masud is one of the most experienced microsurgical breast reconstruction surgeons in the UK, having performed over 300 free flap breast reconstructions.
Microsurgical breast reconstruction uses your own natural tissue to recreate a breast after mastectomy. Skin and fat with its blood supply are transferred from another part of the body and the tiny blood vessels are reconnected under a microscope using sutures finer than a human hair.
This technique creates a soft, natural breast using your own tissue rather than implants.
DIEP Flap
The most common reconstruction is the DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator flap).
In this procedure, skin and fat from the lower abdomen are transferred to the chest to form a new breast while preserving the abdominal muscles.
Other Flap Options
If abdominal tissue is not suitable, other options include:
• PAP Flap – tissue from the inner thigh
• Lumbar Flap – tissue from the lower back / love handle area
During consultation, Ms Masud will assess which technique is best suited to your body and goals.
Length of Procedure
3-8 hrs, depending on whether one side or both sides are reconstructed and type of flap.
Length of Hospital Stay
3-7 days
Risks Include
Flap failure or partial flap failure 1%, infection, bleeding scarring, pain. numbness, fluid accumulation (seroma) assymentry
Recommended Time Off
6-12 weeks depending on the nature of surgery and the individual
Watch the series on Breast Reconstruction and contact us for discussion on breast reconstruction after breast removal (mastectomy)
Implant Based Reconstruction
Sometimes ladies may not have enough fat to reconstruct a new breast. In these situations they may opt to use implants to create a breast.
It is important to have an in depth conversation with your surgeon to see what option is suitable for you.