Worried about your appearance after breast cancer surgery? Learn about Skin-Sparing Mastectomy

Any woman is shocked when the doctor tells her that she will have to have a mastectomy, which means that she will have to have a complete breast removal due to breast cancer. It is a very sensitive matter. Although the main thing is to cure the cancer, many people also feel very worried about the change in their body appearance after the surgery. However, with the advancement of medical science, there are now new methods that can reduce the fear of the appearance after this surgery. One such special surgical method is called 'Skin-Sparing Mastectomy'. Let's talk about this simply today.

First of all, what is Mastectomy?

Simply put, a mastectomy is the surgical removal of the entire breast as a treatment for breast cancer. There are several main types of mastectomy. Your doctor will choose the method that is best for you.

The biggest advantage of Skin-Sparing Mastectomy is that when the breast is reconstructed later, there is no need to take skin from another part of the body. For example, skin taken from the abdomen or back may be different in color, thickness, and texture than the skin of the breast. However, since this method leaves the skin of the breast intact, it is possible to achieve a very natural look after reconstruction.

In what cases is a mastectomy necessary?

There are several special cases in which doctors recommend removing the entire breast instead of just removing a lump (lumpectomy).

• If cancerous calcium deposits (microcalcifications) have spread throughout the breast.
• If there are cancerous lumps in two or more different places in the breast.
• If you develop cancer during pregnancy and are concerned that radiation therapy may affect the unborn baby.
• If you have previously received radiation treatment to the breast area and cancer has recurred in the same breast.
• If you have a connective tissue disease such as lupus or scleroderma and feel that the side effects of radiation therapy will be unbearable.
• If the cancerous lump is very large, removing just the lump (lumpectomy) may not leave enough healthy tissue to achieve a beautiful appearance.
• If you have a gene mutation that increases your risk of developing breast cancer.
• Even if only a lump is removed (lumpectomy), it is reported that there are still cancer cells left at the edges of the surgery.

Can anyone have this skin-sparing surgery?

While many people can have this skin-sparing mastectomy, it is not suitable for everyone. This method is especially not recommended if the breast is not being reconstructed immediately after surgery. Otherwise, the remaining skin can shrink and become saggy.

Also, this method is not suitable if your cancer cells are very close to the skin or if the cancer has spread to the skin . For example, this surgery is not suitable for someone with a type of breast cancer called 'inflammatory breast cancer'. Your surgeon and oncologist are the best people to make this decision.

Is there a risk of the cancer coming back with this method?

Because this procedure spares more skin than a regular mastectomy, you may be wondering, "Wow, will that increase the risk of cancer coming back?" That's a reasonable fear. However, many studies have shown that skin-sparing mastectomy does not increase the risk of cancer coming back.

Therefore, this is a very safe method for the right person.

How is breast reconstruction done after this surgery?

There are several main methods for reconstructing the breast after a skin-sparing mastectomy. This is done by a plastic surgeon.

What to expect after surgery?

The recovery period after a Skin-Sparing Mastectomy is similar to a regular mastectomy. Here's what you can expect:

• You will need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery. If breast reconstruction was also performed at the same time, the hospital stay may be slightly longer.
• You may have surgical drains placed in your armpit or breast area to drain fluid after surgery. These drains will need to be drained several times a day. They will remain in place until your first clinic visit, which will take about a week or two.
• You can only wash your body (sponge bath) until the stitches and tubes are removed.
• It takes time to heal from surgery. So get plenty of rest for the first few weeks . Get help from family and friends with household chores, taking care of the kids, and carrying groceries. There's no shame in that.
• Your medical team will give you some exercises to help prevent arm and shoulder stiffness. Do them without fail . However, they may tell you not to do some exercises until your drain is removed.
• The area where you had surgery should be healed before you can wear a bra. Ask your doctor how long you should wait .