Cost and techniques of breast reconstruction in India | Dr. Deepak Jha

Breast reconstruction is frequently done on women who have undergone mastectomy and had their breasts removed. If a major portion of the breast is removed during a lumpectomy and the breast's size is significantly smaller than it was before, breast reconstruction may also be an option. A breast surgeon or a plastic surgeon performs this procedure. This attempts to bring the breast mound back to its actual size and shape. The surgeon can also add the areola and the nipple. Sometimes more than one surgery may be needed depending on cosmetic outcomes and the patient's expectations. 

 Breast reconstruction techniques include:

 1. Breast implant: During this, an implant filled with silicone or saline is used to build the breasts.

2. Using a Flap to construct the breasts out of the patient's own tissues, fat, and skin. This operation is more difficult.

3. Using the two strategies above:  In this, the breast is made from the patient's own tissues, fat, and skin in addition to silicone implants.

Depending on the type of surgery and the amenities the hospitals offer, breast reconstruction surgery in India normally costs more than Rs.80,000 and can range from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakhs in depending on the procedure needed.

If a woman has reconstructive surgery for both breasts as a result of hereditary breast cancer, the cost will be higher.

 Advantages of Breast Reconstruction

 Breast reconstruction surgery is advised for a number of reasons, including:

Restores the balance and proportions of a woman's natural form: It is common to see that women who have had mastectomy procedures are losing confidence in their bodies due to an uneven appearance and the fact that their bodies no longer fit or have a feminine appearance. Because of this, getting a breast reconstruction might help her feel more confident.

Increased sense of pride and self-worth: Breasts are a well-known symbol of a woman's feminine character and they have a significant impact on a woman's sense of pride and self-worth. Aside from helping her regain her confidence, breast reconstruction surgery is crucial for this reason.

Beneficial and long-lasting results: Whether a woman opts for a synthetic implant or her own tissue, the outcomes show to be beneficial in restoring a woman's self-esteem.

 The type of breast reconstruction surgery will determine how much it costs. There are two ways to perform breast reconstruction surgery, and they are as follows:

1. Flap reconstruction: This type of surgery restores the patient's breasts using the patient's own body tissues. The patient's lower abdomen, buttocks, back, or thigh are where the tissues are removed.

In India, flap repair surgery can cost anywhere between 30,000 and 1,00,000 rupees.  With the assistance of your surgeon, tissue from these regions may be removed and rearranged to form a new breast. Flaps are the tissues that are removed from these regions.

The various types of commonly used flap reconstruction are:

1. DIEP Flap

2.TRAM Flap

3.Latissimus dorsi (LD) Flap

4.TUG Flap

5.SIEA Flap

 2. Implant reconstruction: Surgeons do implant reconstruction using silicone or saline implants. A mastectomy may be performed in conjunction with implant reconstruction in some circumstances, or it may be done after a mastectomy. In other instances, the implants are coupled with biological tissues to conduct the reconstruction. An implant restoration procedure might cost anywhere from Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 5,00,000 depending on various factors. 

The following are additional implant reconstruction types:

1. The implant is positioned below the chest muscle, which the surgeon raises, and beneath it.
2. Above the chest muscle: Your surgeon will place the implant above your chest muscle.
3. Tissue expander implant: An expander is implanted under the skin to widen the area for additional tissue absorption. The expander needs to have saline added to it around once a week by the surgeon. This causes the skin to stretch, extending it just enough to cover the implant that your doctor will insert.

Breast cancer surgeons, like any other medical professionals, take their time and have thorough discussions with their patients to determine which breast reconstruction technique will benefit them the most and make the biggest difference in their life.