Reconstructive Breast Surgery - Answers You Should Have

Reconstructive breast surgery is an option often offered to women who have been through the heartbreak of cancer, leading to a mastectomy. While a mastectomy is often the only choice when it comes to getting rid of later stage cancers, the mere hope of surviving is often only a small consolation to women who lose part of what makes them feel whole. Surgeons who operate in the field of reconstruction know this and aim their practices at helping these women get back what they have lost. If you are considering the procedure, here are some answers you should have before moving forward.

What types of reconstructive breast surgery are there?

There are a few options for women who have come out on the other side of a mastectomy. The obvious first option is to leave things the way they are and come to cope with your new body as a matter of acceptance. If you do choose to explore the possibility of a procedure, make sure you know which types your doctor offers and how well these types match up to your situation. One type may not be right for your body shape while another might be perfect. Explore these questions with your doctor before you make your decision.

Will health insurance apply?

Typically, augmentation is seen as an elective procedure and is not covered by health insurance. Reconstructive breast surgery is one of the few situations where this isn't the case. However, not all health insurance plans will view things similarly. Make sure you know whether or not your insurance will cover the costs of the procedure before moving forward. Some insurance plans are known to cover an implant for only one breast, while leaving the other one for the patient to pay for out of pocket. Medical costs can be overwhelming for anyone recovering from cancer, so it pays to make sure you know what kinds of bills you might be looking at.

What are the risks?

You survived cancer, but that doesn't mean you want to go into reconstructive breast surgery without having a clear indication of the risks involved. While a competent surgeon will go a long way towards ensuring the procedure is as safe as possible, the idea of a risk-free surgery is fictional. You need to have all the information before you in order to make a good decision about what to do. It isn't fair to a patient to downplay any potential risks, even if the chance of anything occurring is minimal. Make sure your doctor is frank with you about what you are facing.

By: aabbey

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Studies show reconstructive breast surgery after a mastectomy helps the healing process. To heal with confidence and comfort, contact a local surgeon: www.breastcenter.com.