You may have had or are about to have a mastectomy, either because you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer or are at very high risk of developing it in the future. The options to rebuild your breast or breasts, a surgery called breast reconstruction.
Typically, breast reconstruction takes place during or soon after mastectomy but can also be done many months after. In some cases, it can be done after lumpectomy. During reconstruction, Dr Soteriou creates a breast shape using a silicone implant (implant reconstruction), or a flap of tissue from another place on your body (autologous reconstruction), or both.
A multidisciplinary team at American Medical Center, composed of Mammography expert, an Oncologist, a Breast Surgeon and a Plastic Surgeon will examine you and they will craft a treatment plan for your own needs.
During the consultation, Dr. Soteriou will listen to your concerns regarding breast reconstruction surgery and he will spend as much time as necessary to make you feel comfortable.
Reconstruction can be done either by using autologous tissues like skin, fat and muscles or by using tissue expanders and silicone implants. There are numerous breast reconstruction techniques, each one with different indications.
If the reconstructive procedure involves only one breast then Dr. Soteriou might suggest you an adjunctive procedure to the other breast, such as breast augmentation or breast lift, in order to achieve a breast symmetry.
The procedure is performed at American Medical Center under general anesthesia and a few days hospitalization are necessary.
Nipple reconstruction is performed as the last stage procedure, at least 3 months after breast reconstruction. It is done under local anesthesia with subsequent medical tattooing of the areola.
Recovery period will be explained during consultation depending on the type and extend of the procedure performed.