What Happens if Breast Reconstruction is Delayed?
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After a mastectomy or lumpectomy, breast reconstruction can help restore a woman's sense of wholeness, femininity, and self-confidence. For many Houston, TX patients, however, breast reconstruction is not done right away — whether by choice or due to medical necessity. While delayed reconstruction remains a viable option for many, it's important to understand how the timing of your surgery may affect your outcome and experience — from limiting your surgical options to allowing you time to recover mentally and physically from breast cancer surgery.
At Plastic Surgery of Houston, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jay Shenaq offers several reconstructive breast surgery techniques to help meet the needs of each unique patient. Take a closer look here at some of the most common reasons to wait for breast reconstruction and what to expect with a delayed reconstruction after breast cancer.
Why would you delay a breast reconstruction?
There are many valid reasons why a woman might wait for breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery. Some patients are not medically cleared for reconstructive surgery until treatment like chemotherapy or radiation is complete. Others may feel emotionally overwhelmed and prefer to focus on their cancer recovery before making another major surgical decision. In certain cases, patients want additional time to explore their options and make a choice they feel comfortable with. Whatever the reason, the option to delay reconstruction can offer flexibility and preserve your ability to move forward on your terms.
What are the risks of delaying breast reconstruction?
Waiting to have reconstruction does not disqualify you from surgery, but it may influence your treatment plan and healing process. Once the breast and surrounding tissues have healed from mastectomy, additional factors — such as scarring or changes from radiation — may affect your reconstructive options. In most cases, delayed breast reconstruction still yields highly natural and satisfying results, though the approach may be more complex or require more than one stage. Some of the most common potential impacts of delaying breast reconstruction in Houston, TX include:
- Scar tissue development
- Changes to skin texture
- Loss of breast shape or contour
- Emotional distress or body image concerns
- Potential need for more advanced reconstruction
What breast reconstruction options are available after a delay?
Dr. Shenaq is proud to offer a wide range of techniques that can be used in delayed breast reconstruction. Your surgical plan will depend on your goals, health history, the condition of the tissue in the chest area, and other potential areas of involvement at the time of consultation. Delayed reconstruction typically allows time for thorough planning and personalized care. Popular techniques used for delayed breast reconstruction may include:
- Tissue expander reconstruction
- Implant-based reconstruction
- Flap-based reconstruction using natural tissue
Each type of breast reconstruction has its benefits and limitations. For example, flap-based methods using tissue from the abdomen or back can produce very natural-looking results without the use of implants, while tissue expanders gradually stretch the skin to prepare for implant placement at a later stage. During your consultation, Dr. Shenaq will explain each technique and help you choose the method of breast reconstruction for you.
Is there anything I need to do before delayed breast reconstruction surgery?
If you know or suspect that your breast reconstruction will be delayed, you can still take steps now to ensure a smoother experience later. Staying healthy, maintaining a stable weight, and following your cancer care team's recommendations can help preserve your options for future surgery. It's also helpful to keep an open dialogue with your surgeon about your goals and any physical or emotional concerns that arise during the waiting period.
Restore your sense of self with immediate or delayed breast reconstruction
Even if your breast reconstruction is postponed, your path to healing is still very much within reach. At Plastic Surgery of Houston, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jay Shenaq works closely with each patient to develop a thoughtful and personalized surgical plan for breast reconstruction — regardless of when they are ready to move forward. Call our compassionate team to learn more about breast reconstruction options and to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Shenaq near Houston, TX, when the time feels right for you.