Breast reconstruction surgery Chicago Illinois is normally performed after a mastectomy in which one or more breasts have been removed. While all types of breast surgery—such as lifts or augmentation—are in a sense a type of reconstruction, breast reconstruction surgery normally applies to a complete restructuring of the breast. A mastectomy can be a difficult and emotional time, so this has to be factored into any additional surgical procedure.
Mastectomy patients feel an unfortunate loss of womanhood when a breast is removed. Breast reconstruction surgery Chicago Illinois can restore self-confidence and optimism. It is recommended that future mastectomy patients have a game plan in place for when a mastectomy is performed. It can be heartening to know that the removal of a breast will be short-lived. Having a reconstruction plan in place can make the mastectomy seem less daunting.
In some cases, breast reconstruction surgery Chicago Illinois is combined with a mastectomy or lumpectomy—the breast is reconstructed at the same time it is removed. By and large, it is most common for breast reconstruction surgery Chicago Illinois to be performed at a later date, after healing is complete from the mastectomy. Still, knowing that breast reconstruction surgery Chicago Illinois is in the future can make recovery from the mastectomy go more smoothly.
While breast reconstruction surgery Chicago Illinois can make a woman whole again, there can be some scarring after surgery. A skilled and experienced Chicago cosmetic surgeon will be able to complete breast reconstruction with a minimal amount of scarring. The main goal of breast reconstruction surgery Chicago Illinois is for the woman to look natural in clothes or in a bathing suit. The effects of the surgery will be noticeable in the nude so it is important to have realistic expectations from the surgery. That being said, a full or even partial reconstruction can do wonders for a woman’s well being and confidence.
Because a mastectomy or lumpectomy (partial, rather than whole, removal of the breast) is a very trying time, it is important to find a reconstruction surgeon with ample experience. Unlike many other plastic surgery procedures that are for purely cosmetic reasons, breast reconstruction surgery is most often performed as a result of an illness—meaning patients will be coming from a much different place emotionally. A reconstruction surgeon must be conscientious about each patient’s particular case.