Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is a way for people who have had their breasts removed to have new ones again. Doctors can make new breasts in a few different ways, and which way they choose depends on things like how much breast tissue the person has left, how big they want the new breasts to be, and how healthy the rest of their body is.

One way to make new breasts is to use tissue from another part of the person's body. Some people might have enough extra skin and fat on their belly that doctors can use that to make breasts. They'll take out the tissue and shape it into breasts that look like the person's old ones. Sometimes, doctors need to use tiny tubes called "microsurgery" to connect tiny blood vessels in the new breasts to the ones already there.

Another way to make new breasts is to put implants under the skin. An implant is like a plastic bubble that's filled with saline (salt water) or silicone gel. Doctors make a small cut in the skin and put the implant in. Then the person has to wait a while for their skin to grow around the implant and the new breast to heal.

The breast reconstruction process can be long and tiring, but it's worth it for many people to feel more like themselves again. It's important to talk to your doctor about all your options and which one is best for you.