If you have had, or are about to have, breast surgery to treat cancer or another disease, you may have considered breast reconstruction.

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During the first consultation with Dr Hunt he will discuss your concerns and expectations and examine your breasts. He can then recommend the most appropriate procedure for you, depending on:

• the amount of breast tissue that remains after your surgery
• how healthy the remaining tissue is
• the type of treatments you have had, e.g. radiotherapy
• your overall health
• the outcome you want.

It is likely you will require a number of surgeries, and Dr Hunt will explain what each one will involve.

At the end of the consultation pictures will be taken for your medical record.

After the consultation, a quote will be prepared that will include your surgical, anaesthetic, and hospital fees.

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Breast surgery is performed under a general anesthetic, given by an anesthetist, in an accredited hospital, so you are assured of the highest standard of care. Three procedures are usually required:

Skin expansion and later insertion of a silicone or saline implant. Following mastectomy, an expandable balloon is placed beneath your chest muscle. Saline is gradually injected into the balloon over weeks or months, allowing the skin above to gradually stretch. When the skin is stretched sufficiently the balloon is usually removed and replaced with a permanent implant. Some balloons are designed to be left in place permanently. A final procedure may then be performed to reconstruct the nipple and areola.

Implant insertion. For some women, tissue expansion is not required before placing an implant.

Flap Reconstruction. This technique uses either breast tissue remaining after a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy or tissue from another part of the body to create the new breast.  An implant may also be required.  This is a highly specialised technique, and recovery will take longer than an implant reconstruction technique.

Reconstruction will not restore an identical breast to the one you lost, and it cannot restore normal sensation to the breast area. However, it is usually possible to closely match the reconstructed breast and some feeling may return over time.

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You will have regular consultations with Dr Hunt throughout the reconstruction process. After your final procedure you will return for regular follow-up visits over the next 6 to 12 months.

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You will feel tired and your breast may be bruised and tender for up to 2 weeks after your surgery. Dr Hunt will give you very specific instructions about the type of activities you can participate in after each procedure.Generally, you should restrict all physical activity for at least 2 weeks. Do not lift anything over 5kg and do not drive.Do not undertake any strenuous activities for 4 weeks.Do not undertake chest or weights exercises for 6 weeks. You must protect your breasts from stretching activities for at least 6 weeks to allow the incisions to heal.

Your scars will be firm and pink for at least 6 weeks. Then they may remain the same size for several months, or even appear to widen. After several months, your scars will begin to fade, although they will never disappear completely.

Loss of a breast from cancer surgery can be psychologically devastating and socially limiting. Reconstruction of the removed breast can restore femininity and balance between the two breasts, allowing a more active lifestyle.

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Breast reconstruction surgery is a very personal procedure. Every patient has different requirements, which will ultimately affect the final cost of the surgery. Along with surgeon, hospital and anaesthetist fees, whether or not you want to reconstruct the breasts using implants will also alter the final cost of the surgery. Breast reconstruction costs are covered by private health insurers, as well as Medicare. However, the entire cost of the procedure won’t be covered. In many instances, patients tend to think that the cost of breast reconstruction is a lot higher than it really is. Every patient is encouraged to first schedule a consultation with Dr Hunt before deciding that reconstruction is too costly. Dr Hunt will always work with you to develop a surgical plan that meets your needs as well as your budget. Every woman deserves to feel feminine after a life-altering experience such as cancer.