Breast Surgery

Breast surgery is a procedure performed on a female or male’s breast(s). There are different types of breast surgeries. Some are performed for medical reasons such as cancer, others for cosmetic reasons (plastic surgery). Examples include:

Medical reasons:

• Breast cancer surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy): Either part or all of the breast and possibly the nearby lymph nodes are removed to get rid of the cancer.

• Preventative surgery (mastectomy): Sometimes breasts are removed to prevent breast cancer.

• Removal of non-cancer breast lumps: Some non-cancer breast lumps may need to be removed.

• Breast reduction: Some non-cancer breast lumps may need to be removed.

Cosmetic reasons:

• Breast reconstruction: The most common time for this is after breast cancer surgery.

• Breast augmentation: The breast size is increased.

• Breast reduction: The breast size is decreased. (Note that this may also be performed for medical reasons.)

When is breast surgery necessary?

There are medical reasons for needing breast surgery, such as breast cancer, non-cancerous breast lumps and breast reduction surgery to help get rid of back pain. There are also cosmetic reasons, such as the personal desire to have a different size, appearance, or shape of the breast(s).

What happens during breast surgery?

Breast surgeries are very complicated, but the steps are simplified here with two examples: breast augmentation surgery and breast reduction surgery.

There are five steps in a breast augmentation surgery:

• Anesthesia: Intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.

• Incision: The location of the incision depends on the type of breast implant, how much larger you wish to be and your surgeon’s recommendation. The incision might be along your areola, the fold under your breast, or in your armpit.

• Insert and place the implant: The implant will be inserted either under the pectoral muscle or directly behind the breast tissue, which is over the pectoral muscle. Your surgeon will discuss the options to figure out the best one for you.

• Close the incisions: The incision is closed using layered sutures in the tissue, and then surgical tape or a skin adhesive (glue) to close the skin. The scar from the incision line will eventually face.

• See the results: You will be able to see the results of your surgery as soon as you wake up.

There are five steps in a breast reduction surgery:

• Anesthesia: General anesthesia.

• Incision: It will be around your nipple, then downward below your breast.

• Removal: Extra skin, tissue and fat are removed.

• Relocation: Your nipple will be relocated to a more ideal location.

• Close the incisions: We may install a drainage tube at the incision site. Dressings will be applied.

Risks of breast surgery?

All surgeries have risks, and breast surgery is no different. Possible risks include, but are not limited to:

• Anesthesia

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Changes in nipple or breast sensation

• Scarring

• Implant leakage or rupture

• Pain

• Needing revision surgery

Is breast surgery painful?

There can be scar tissue after breast reduction surgery that causes pain. Typically, if you have breast augmentation, your pain shouldn’t last more than one to five days, although there may be some soreness and swelling for as long as a few weeks.

After breast cancer surgery the area may be bruised. There may be numbness or tingling all over, including your upper arm and armpit. Take pain relievers, warm showers (after a week) and do some easy exercises. When you’re allowed to, put vitamin E lotion or pure lanolin on the incisions to help with scarring.

What is the recovery time?

The recovery time is generally between one week and six weeks or longer and depends on the type of breast surgery you are having. After a lumpectomy, you may return to work after around two weeks. After a mastectomy, this will be longer, between four to six weeks. After breast reduction or augmentation surgery, you can return to work/school after about a week. You may be sore for weeks after breast surgery. It is important to discuss recovery time with your healthcare provider as this will depend on your case.