What You Need to Know About Breast Surgery

Breast surgery is modifying a man’s or a woman’s breasts. Such surgeries are usually done for various reasons. Some usually are done for cosmetic reasons, by reconstructing the breast to look more youthful; this is achieved by inserting silicone implants, and it also increases the size. Others are for medical purposes, such as breast reduction to relieve back pain or surgery to remove cancer.

Medical Reasons

• Breast cancer surgery: (mastectomy, lumpectomy). In this case, the breast or part of it, possibly next to lymph nodes, is removed to eliminate cancer.
• Preventive surgery (mastectomy): in some cases, the breasts are removed to prevent breast cancer cases
• Removal of non-cancer breast lumps: this involves the removal of some non-cancer lumps
• Breast reduction: this type of surgery involves the removal of breast size to relieve the pain in the back.

Cosmetic Reasons

• Breast reconstruction: it is a type of surgery mostly done after breast cancer surgery
• Breast augmentation: surgery done to increase the breast size
• Breast reduction: it is a type of surgery that involves the reduction of breast size.

What Happens During Surgery?

Breast surgeries are a highly complex process; these are some of the simplified steps, with examples, breast reduction surgery and breast augmentation surgery.Steps involved in breast augmentation surgery

1. Anaesthesia: general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation.
2. Incision: the area of the incision depends on the kind of breast implant, how more significant you want to be and your surgeon’s recommendation. The incision may be along the areola, the fold under the breast or even in your armpit.
3. Insert and place the implant: the implant is inserted under the pectoral muscle or behind the breast tissue.
4. Close the incision: close the incision using layered tissue sutures, and then the surgical tape is used to close the skin.

It is vital to note that not all breast surgical steps are the same. Each surgery has its special efforts; for example, the measures used by a breast cancer surgeon won’t be the same as the steps used by the cosmetic surgeon during the procedure.

What to Expect After Breast Surgery

Your healthcare provider will monitor your progress after surgery. You will receive a schedule and instructions to follow during the recovery. You may also get a prescription to help reduce the pain.

Do Males Have Breast Surgery?

Just like females, men can also have breast cancer removed using the same procedure applied to females. Other than that, some may have a condition known as gynecomastia, where the breasts are large, and they may choose to have gyno removal.

Risks of Breast Surgery

All surgeries involve risks, and breast surgery is no different; there are several risks, such as bleeding, infection, scarring and leakage. If you have augmentation surgery, breast implants may prevent cancer detection.

Conclusion

Breast surgery is always expensive; therefore, you may need insurance coverage to care for them, but in most cases, cosmetic surgeries are not catered for. It is advisable to always seek professional guidance before surgery—it will help prepare you for whatever outcome.