3 Ways Your Life Changes After a Breast Reconstruction

Weight fluctuations can be a challenge

If you’ve chosen to get breast implants, weight fluctuations may cause your breasts to become uneven.

Not all reconstruction surgeries are equal. If you opt for tissue flap breast reconstruction, your reconstructed breast will gain weight along with the rest of your body.

Tissue flap reconstruction uses tissues from other parts of your body to reconstruct your breast.

However, not everyone is a good candidate for flap procedures. Women who smoke or have uncontrolled diabetes or poor circulation can’t opt for this procedure.

Higher confidence levels

After surviving cancer and its grueling treatment, many women end up being unhappy with how they look after a mastectomy. A breast reconstruction procedure can make your chest look more even and eliminate the need to wear a breast prosthesis, which for many women is a reminder of their battle against cancer.

A large study on women two years after having breast reconstruction reported greater psychosocial well-being and higher confidence levels, especially in the group that opted for a tissue flap procedure.

Smoking is no longer an option

Smoking not only disqualifies women from having a breast reconstruction, but it also leads to complications during the healing period by constricting the small blood vessels that carry oxygen to the cells.

Studies show that smoking significantly increases the risk of tissue death, infections, and reconstructive failure.

Learn more about breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction procedures have advanced a lot in the past few decades. Scars have become smaller, and with some procedures, you can even expect the results to look natural.

If you live in Fort Worth, Texas, and want to find out more about what options are available, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Polavarapu’s office to schedule an appointment.