Tips To Help You Prepare For Breast Reconstruction Surgery After A Mastectomy

Learning that you have breast cancer can be incredibly shocking and scary. Being told that your best course of treatment is a single or double mastectomy can be difficult to process, even if it is the best option to restore your health and keep the cancer from spreading. Losing one or both breasts to a mastectomy can cause a wide variety of feelings and emotions in women who are already worried about their health due to a breast cancer diagnosis. One bright side to mastectomies is the fact that breast reconstruction surgery has advanced greatly. If you are in need of breast reconstruction after a single or double mastectomy, use the following tips to prepare.

Advocate for Yourself

When you need a mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery, you can count on your healthcare providers to assist you and provide the best care possible. However, you are also your own best advocate, so it is well worth your time to learn as much as possible about the different techniques used for breast reconstruction surgery. Don't be afraid to discuss all of your options with your surgeon and ask questions—the more prepared you are and the more you know about the reconstruction process, the more likely you will be satisfied with the results.

Choose a Plastic Surgeon who is Experienced in Breast Reconstruction

When it comes to breast reconstruction surgery, your best bet is to have the procedure done by a reputable plastic surgeon who is highly experienced in breast reconstruction surgery. Plastic surgeons are typically very meticulous and do their best to ensure that the reconstruction is both functional and visually appealing. Before you select your plastic surgeon to perform your breast reconstruction surgery, look at before and after photos of past patients that the surgeon has helped with breast reconstruction.

Choose the Timing that Works Best for You

If you're having a single or double mastectomy, you can opt to have reconstructive surgery immediately after all of the breast tissue is removed. You can also wait several weeks, months, or even years before you undergo breast reconstruction surgery. The choice is solely yours, but it is always a good idea to think through your options prior to your mastectomy date. Speak with your surgeon to learn more about the pros and cons of immediate breast reconstruction surgery, as well as the pros and cons of waiting to have the procedure done. 

Contact a company like Surgery Group SC to learn more.