When most people think of breast plastic surgery, they think of models and actors getting breast implants. But in reality, there are many situations in which the breasts may undergo trauma or illness and need to be reconstructed to restore your quality of life. Here is what you need to know about the differences between elective breast augmentation and breast reconstruction.

Why is breast reconstruction necessary?

Did you know that about 11 percent of Florida women are currently fighting or have fought breast cancer in the last 3 years? Breast cancer diagnostics and treatment can destroy the breasts, making them unrecognizable or gone entirely. 

Doctors may take a sample of tissue or remove a lump in your breast to determine if you have breast cancer. Even if you turn out to be cancer free, your breasts are no longer the same, and reconstruction can repair this damage.

 If you do have breast cancer and other treatments fail, you might need to have a mastectomy, a procedure in which the breasts are completely removed. If you only have one breast removed, this can be a serious quality of life issue. Even if both breasts are taken, not having them can be detrimental to your mental and emotional wellbeing, which is just as important as your physical health.

What Reconstruction Entails

Breast reconstruction, especially after breast cancer diagnosis or treatment, usually entails the use of breast implants. Just like any breast augmentation procedure, you will choose a type of implant and size of implant based on your desired results. Although you can enlarge your breasts, health insurance may only pay for reconstruction to the cup size that you were before the breast cancer diagnosis.

If you are undergoing breast cancer treatment and need some assistance in planning your breast reconstruction, contact us for a free consultation.