Virtually any woman who must
lose her breast to cancer can have it rebuilt
through reconstructive surgery. But there are
risks associated with any surgery and specific
complications associated with this procedure.
In
general, the usual problems of surgery, such
as bleeding, fluid collection, excessive scar
tissue, or difficulties with anesthesia, can
occur although they're relatively uncommon. And,
as with any surgery, smokers should be advised
that nicotine can delay healing, resulting in
conspicuous scars and prolonged recovery. Occasionally,
these complications are severe enough to require
a second operation.
If an implant is used, there
is a remote possibility that an infection will
develop, usually within the first two weeks following
surgery. In some of these cases, the implant
may need to be removed for several months until
the infection clears. A new implant can later
be inserted. The most common problem, capsular
contort, occurs if the scar or capsule around
the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing
of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel
hard. Capsular contort can be treated in several
ways, and sometimes requires either removal or "scoring" of
the scar tissue, or perhaps removal or replacement
of the implant.
Reconstruction has no known effect
on the recurrence of disease in the breast,
nor does it generally interfere with chemotherapy
or radiation treatment, should cancer recur.
Your surgeon may recommend continuation of
periodic
mammograms on both the reconstructed and the
remaining normal breast. If your reconstruction
involves an implant, be sure to go to a radiology
center where technicians are experienced in
the special techniques required to get a reliable
x-ray of a breast reconstructed with an implant.
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