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Every year the breast cancer it was diagnosed in 2000 Uruguayan women. Sadly, according to official data, 700 women also die each year. The average is two women per day.
Medical and surgical treatments are fundamental pillars for the approach to the breast cancer. It is a pathology that is suffered, physically and emotionally. Although it is not the only one, the breast reconstruction it is a great help for emotional recovery, and to improve the quality of life. This, which seems almost obvious, was not so some time ago.
Every woman diagnosed with this disease has the right to be informed about the reconstructive options available for her case. In Uruguay, health providers are obliged to cover this treatment. Depending on the characteristics of each patient there are several alternatives: medical causes such as what type of Oncologic surgery you need, if you will need radiotherapy after it, your previous illnesses, your habits, etc., but also your preferences.
At this point, it should be noted that patients generally arrive at this stage tired. They are thinking of fighting cancer, of getting that out of their body to fight the disease and not of deciding whether to rebuild now or later. The doctor gives the options but the one who decides is the patient and how she reaches the surgery has a lot of influence.
A mama can be reconstructed in the very act of mastectomy (removal) or later in another surgery. It can be done with a synthetic breast implant or with your own tissues, or a combination of both techniques.
Flaps are tissues that are transposed from one area of the body to reconstruct another. It is kind of like an autologous transplant. Plastic surgeons are specialists in flap treatments. To reconstruct a breast, flaps from the abdomen, back, or even the gluteal region of the patient can be used. The surgery It can be conventional or microsurgical (a very specialized surgery).
If they are used breast implants (prostheses) these are made of silicone gel.
In many cases you can also appeal to a tissue expander that expands the tissues where to make the implant later. The expander is a device that is periodically and progressively filled with saline solution to stretch the skin and muscles, creating a more adequate space for implant placement once the entire treatment has been completed.
All reconstructive breast surgeries They are included within the PIAS. This means all Uruguayan health providers must cover this treatment. Regarding access to breast implants, currently its coverage corresponds to those who contribute to BPS, since it is a benefit of that entity. According to the last announcement of the SMEs, as of 2022, those patients who do not contribute to BPS They will also have the right to access implants for breast reconstruction.
The last stage of the breast reconstruction it is that of the areola-nipple complex. It is usually done at a time after the implant because, whether it is synthetic or not, the tissues must heal and doing so later allows to achieve symmetry with the nipple of the other breast. This last stage can also be done with your own tissues or with non-surgical options such as dermopigmentation and tattoos, with very good results.
It does not matter if it is in one stage, two or three, if the reconstruction is complete or partial, or if you want to choose not to rebuild. What matters is that you know that you can choose. That befriending your body after such a stressful situation and such aggressive treatment is never a minor matter. That we need to talk more about breast reconstruction. And we have to take full care of your physical and emotional health.
MEET OUR COLUMNIST
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Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
Master in Health Business Management
Migrant and mom
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