Regaining Self-Confidence After Breast Cancer

Approximately 13% of women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer, and many of these women will choose a mastectomy to treat their cancer. During a mastectomy, a breast is surgically removed to get rid of the cancerous cells. While a mastectomy is often life-saving, it can also diminish a woman’s self-confidence and sense of femininity. 

If you’ve recovered from breast cancer, you deserve to feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful. Many women find that after a mastectomy, breast reconstruction can provide a major and positive impact on their self-esteem. 

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a surgical strategy that offers women the ability to fill a bra or bathing suit and have a silhouette of a breast without having to utilize a prosthesis in the bra. There are several different methods of breast reconstruction that can be categorized as either implant only, body tissue only, or a combination of implants and body tissue. 

The breast reconstruction techniques performed by Dr. Mosiello include:

• Tissue expansion

The tissue expansion method is one of the most common methods for breast reconstruction. It involves surgically placing a saline expander near the treatment area either at the time of the mastectomy or at a separate surgery after the mastectomy has been done. The expander is gradually filled with saline and the tissue around it stretches. Once the expander has created enough room, the tissue expander is removed and an implant can be placed. 

• Latissimus dorsi flap

Latissimus flap breast reconstruction involves removing a large flap of muscle, skin, and fat tissue from the latissimus dorsi muscle of the back, creating a tunnel between the back and breast area and tunneling the muscle flap. An implant can then be inserted through a small incision on the breast if desired.

Breast reconstruction can help you regain confidence after recovering from breast cancer. To learn more about this plastic surgery procedure, schedule an appointment with Dr. Mosiello at Tampa Palms Plastic Surgery today!