Facial surgery

Body surgery

Aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery

Cosmetic medicine

Dermocapillary Unit

Consultants

Breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is one of the most satisfying and gratifying surgical procedures available today for women who have had a breast removed (mastectomy) as a result of breast cancer or other disease. New medical techniques, devices and materials allow plastic surgeons to create a breast that closely matches the unoperated breast in terms of shape, texture and other characteristics.

Aims

▪ Recreate a natural-looking breast, including the areola and the nipple if the patient so desires.

▪ Eliminate the need to wear a breast prosthesis, making it possible to wear clothing that would not be possible without reconstruction (swimwear, tops with deep necklines, etc.).

▪ Fill in the hollow and correct the deformity to the chest in order to restore body image, improve the quality of life and provide satisfaction to the patient.

Planning and preparing for surgery

As soon as a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she should learn about her options for reconstruction. The surgeon who performs the mastectomy, the oncologist and the plastic surgeon have to coordinate in order to develop a strategy that results in the best possible outcome. At HC Marbella, our Oncology Unit, directed by Dr. Hernán Cortés-Funes, is able to offer this coordinated service.

The plastic surgeon is the specialist whose training in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery has provided him or her with the technical and aesthetic resources to reconstruct a natural-looking breast. After the patient’s general state of health has been evaluated, she will be informed about the options that are most appropriate given her age, tissue, physical and anatomical characteristics and future expectations.

The first part of the reconstruction, creating breast volume, is usually performed under general anaesthesia.

Post-op

After the operation, the patient must remain in the hospital. The first 48 hours are essential in order to properly follow up on and monitor the reconstruction. The patient will feel a little tired and there will be discomfort for a week or two after the reconstruction, and medication will be prescribed.

Depending on the extent of surgery, the patient should be able to leave the hospital within 1 to 3 days. Many reconstructive procedures require the insertion of a drain to remove accumulated fluids, which will be removed during the first week after the surgery. In about a week or two, most of the stitches will be removed.