Timing Is Everything: How Long Will My Breast Reconstruction Take?
When it comes to breast reconstruction surgery, questions about the surgical process are highly encouraged. A common question I receive is how long breast reconstruction takes. While seemingly a simple inquiry, the answer greatly varies depending on the person’s unique situation.
During a pedicled TRAM, muscle and other tissue is moved from the abdomen to the breast area while remaining attached to a blood supply. Similarly, the free TRAM technique, muscle and fat tissue is removed from a section of the abdomen and reattached to a blood supply in the breast area. The DIEP flap procedure varies from this technique. Tissue is removed from the donor area with no muscle attached to help recreate the breast. This technique takes longer though and the same abdominal wall implications as the TRAM and free TRAM.
When a tissue expander is used in the procedure, you can expect it to take about an hour to complete. However, when more advanced pedicled TRAM, free TRAM, and DIEP flap reconstruction techniques are utilized, surgery can take 3 or more hours – with the pedicled TRAM taking about 3 hours and the free TRAM and DIEP taking 5 hours or longer. So, what makes these advanced procedures more complicated, resulting in more hours in surgery? Microsurgery is involved in the free TRAM and DIEP and this is what adds to the operating time.
Some women elect to spread out their procedures as multiple procedures can be necessary to achieve the patient’s desired result. Tissue can be removed and relocated to the breast before tissue expanders are used to help stretch the skin to make room for an implant.
Breast reconstruction can be beneficial physically and emotionally for breast cancer patients and survivors. Though the process of having a breast or both breasts removed can be mentally challenging and exhausting, breast reconstruction can serve as a means of emotional healing while restoring your womanly figure. As technology continues to advance, both emerging and tried-and-true techniques make breast reconstruction surgery safer, less intimidating, and more beneficial than ever.
For more information on the different breast reconstruction techniques or to schedule a consultation for a reconstructive or cosmetic surgery procedure, contact us. Be sure to follow me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + for the latest surgery updates.