According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 12.5 percent of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. For most of these women, lumpectomy, and mastectomy are the only ways of saving their lives. Unfortunately, the lifesaving interventions also leave women scarred physically and psychologically because breasts are very central to being women. 

While most women who undergo these interventions have a basic understanding of plastic surgery breast reconstruction, 30 percent do not. This guide highlights facts about breast reconstruction that you may need to know if you are scheduled for a mastectomy or lumpectomy. 

The Techniques Have Improved Significantly Over Time

Reconstructive breast surgeries have come a long way. Since most reconstructions involved placing an implant where there used to be breast tissue, there has always existed the risk of an implant rupture leading to leaks. Gummy cohesive gel implants are replacing traditional implants, reducing the risks of leaks. 

Also, surgeons are switching from placing the implant under the muscle to putting it over it, which improves its aesthetics and enhances its life as it is not prone to the movements that come with placing it under the muscle. However, there are cases where placing the implant over the muscle would be ideal, so you will need to follow your doctor’s advice. 

If they do not offer both options, they are probably not up to date with current plastic surgery procedures. So, you may want to consider looking for a surgeon who offers both.

You Can Keep Your Nipples

Breasts do not feel or look the same without nipples. Traditionally, all mastectomies involved removing the entire breast tissue, including the nipples, but recent studies have shown that keeping them doesn’t pose any significant risk of cancer recurrence as long as the nipple wasn’t affected by the cancerous cells. 

“If your surgeon advises you not to retain them, seek to know why. It would also help to get another plastic surgery expert’s opinion because their lack of skill can be why they want to avoid it,” says Ohio-based plastic surgeon Dr. Jennifer Greer of Greer Plastic Surgery.

Your Medical Insurance Should Cover It 

Most insurance policies that cover mastectomies should cover breast restoration procedures, including procedures involving creating symmetry with the unaffected breast. Part of this is the 1918 Women’s Health & Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), which requires group insurance to cover such services to protect women who undergo mastectomies and lumpectomies. 

If you have employer-sponsored coverage, you may want to confirm with the insurer before proceeding. Insurance may sometimes try to fight coverage due to the high costs involved. If insurance is not an option for you, you can try to reach out to doctors who offer the service pro bono, but there are no guarantees that you will find one. 

Get Support 

Losing a breast or both of them can be devastating to your physiological well-being. So you will want to have loved ones close to you for support. However, there is a level of support that only a person going through similar circumstances can offer. 

Reach out to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Brave Coalition, the Pink Lemonade Projects, and the Pink Daisy Project to connect with people in similar situations or look for such groups online. 

Your treating doctor may also know where to find support groups so you can ask them for guidance. You may also consider therapy if losing your breasts is having a huge toll on your mental health.