Many doctors, like Dr. Joel Aronowitz, entered the field of plastic surgery to specialize in reconstruction, a process in which a surgeon uses artificial matter or the patient’s own tissue from another part of the body to reshape a body part. Some breast cancer survivors turn to one of the best known of these types of surgery, breast reconstruction, after life-saving partial or full mastectomy surgery.
About Mastectomies
A mastectomy removes part or all of one or both breasts. Although rare in men, both genders can develop breast cancer, as journalist Jack D. Willis recounts in his book, “Saving Jack: A Man’s Struggle with Breast Cancer,” according to Publisher’s Weekly. Breast reconstruction surgery uses either bodily tissue from the lower abdomen, buttocks, inner thigh, back, and bottom to recreate the individual’s breasts or artificial implants, like those chosen by Onco-Ballet founder Anna Wassman-Cox.
Conditions Behind Reconstruction
Breast cancer probably tops the list of reasons why someone undergoes breast reconstruction surgery, but it’s not the only one. Breast reconstruction surgery provides an effective treatment for chest injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents, breast hypoplastic disorders, and tuberous breast deformity, according to the National Library of Medicine. This type of surgery can also treat other congenital chest malformations and shifted implants, according to Dr. Joel Aronowitz MD.
Surgery Recovery
According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, every person experiences a unique recovery from breast reconstruction surgery. A few similarities include the prescribed downtime post-surgery. Doctors tell their patients to take about seven days off from work and to skip the heavy lifting and physical exertion during that time. It might take two weeks or more before a patient feels like resuming some strenuous activities, including having sex.
Each person also differs in the amount of sensation regained in the breast area and how sensitive the area feels. Typically, two weeks or more pass before individuals feel comfortable being touched in the chest area. It also takes about that long for a person to start driving a vehicle again. Patients can’t drive until they pass three milestones:
• Having their drains removed
• Completing their narcotic painkiller prescription
• Regaining pain-free motion such that they can turn a steering wheel comfortably.
For six weeks, you won’t be allowed to lift more than five pounds. If you have children, you’ll need to arrange for someone else to care for them because you can’t pick them up until your chest scars heal properly.
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The Many Benefits of Breast Reconstruction Surgery
As scary as the surgery might sound, the temporarily limited activity doesn’t differ from the restrictions after surgery to repair an ACL, a slipped disc, or any other common surgery in the 21st century. Although elective in nature, people who undergo the surgery say it boosted their self-esteem, helped them with body issues, and improved their emotional state. Physically, the surgery can recreate symmetrical balance to the chest, which re-balances spinal alignment after a single breast partial or full mastectomy, according to VeryWellHealth. A few weeks of downtime can restore the body’s balance and help improve the patient’s emotional well-being.
