The advantages of such a procedure are a breast which more closely matches the remaining natural breast, and the ability to maintain a more natural appearance. Some patients do, however, choose to forego this procedure because of the simple fact that it is one more surgical procedure.
Depending on the methods used, the patient may need to once again undergo general anesthesia. There is also additional recovery time following the new procedure.
It may result in additional scars. Typically, nipple and areola reconstruction is performed at about 3 to 6 months after the primary reconstruction.
The timing can vary considerably based on surgeon and patient preference, as well as the specific techniques used in both procedures. The graft technique involves harvesting skin from a donor site separate from the reconstructed breast.
The skin graft is then attached to the site of the newly constructed nipple and/or areola. Common donor sites for areola grafts include the abdominal scar from a flap reconstruction, the inner thigh, or the buttock crease.
For teat grafts, the three most common donor sites are the patient's remaining teat, the earlobe, and the labia. In general, the patient's remaining teat is the preferred donor site, since it provides the best match in terms of skin texture and color.
However, in the case of a bilateral mastectomy, the other donor sites can be quite useful. In the flap approach, the nipple mound is created from a "flap" of skin taken directly from the skin adjacent to the site of the newly reconstructed nipple.
This technique has the advantage of keeping the blood supply intact, and of confining any scarring to the area of the new teat and areola. The tattooing procedure is usually performed as the final stage of a complete breast reconstruction, only after the nipple itself has been reconstructed.
This procedure is performed with equipment that is very similar to what one might find in use at a tattoo shop. Its main advantage is that it is a relatively quick and simple outpatient procedure which requires no more than local anesthesia, and does not create an additional scar.
Micro-pigmentation can be used to camouflage the color and even soften the texture of existing scars left behind after the initial breast reconstruction procedure. Primarily, this technique is used to simulate the color, shape and texture of the area surrounding the nipple.
Patients who do not wish to undergo further surgery after their primary breast reconstruction may re-create the natural look using only tattooing. The obvious disadvantage of this method is that it can only create the optical illusion of texture and dimension, offering no nipple projection.
In some cases, your surgeon may recommend the use of fillers in order to enhance nipple projection. In this case, it may also be helpful to look specifically for a surgeon or pigmentation technician who specializes in creating the most realistic-looking and three dimensional appearances.
Your surgeon or technician will mix various pigments to come up with just the right color to complement your skin tones and/or to match your remaining nipple. Achieving the perfect shades may require more than one visit, and as with any tattoo, the pigment will fade in time, necessitating a return visit for a color touch-up.
There is the possibility that the graft or flap may not survive in its new location. If this happens, further surgery will be necessary.
If general anesthesia is required, there are the usual risks that go along with it, together with the risks and possible complications inherent to most surgical procedures. These may include unfavorable scarring, skin loss, blood clots, skin discoloration, swelling, asymmetry, changes in skin sensation, and/or persistent pain.
After surgery, call your surgeon immediately if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, unusual heartbeats, or excessive bleeding. The costs of this procedure should be covered by the patient's insurance.
You should, however, always check with your insurance provider regarding the particulars of your coverage before scheduling any surgery. This will potentially save you from spending thousands of dollars on cosmetic surgery.
Author Resource:-
Terry Daniels has been a plastic surgeon for over 20 years and has written hundreds of articles relating to plastic surgery. He recommends plastic surgery Utah for your plastic surgery needs.
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