What is breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure in which the shape of the breast is reconstructed and recreated. It is most often performed on women who have undergone surgery to remove breast cancer.

There are several types of techniques used for breast reconstruction:

  • Breast reconstruction with implants – this is possible only if after mastectomy or radiation therapy there is enough tissue left on the chest wall to cover and adhere a breast implant.
  • Breast reconstruction with soft tissue flap – this procedure is suitable for those patients who do not want implants or do not have enough breast tissue to adhere the implant. This method relies on natural (“autologous”) donor tissue. It is “moved” to the required treatment site by a specific flap technique. The most common approach to breast reconstruction is using the skin of the lower abdomen and fat to create the shape of the breast. The femoral and sciatic areas can also be used as donor lamp sites, and the choice of donor site depends on the characteristics of the applicant.

What does the operation include?

The purpose of breast reconstruction is to restore the normal shape, appearance, symmetry and size of one or both breasts after mastectomy, lumpectomy or in patients with congenital malformations.

The modern possibilities of plastic surgery allow the breast to be reconstructed so that it looks almost exactly like its natural equivalent. This can be achieved either by using implants or by tissue grafting.

Although there will probably be subtle differences in contour, volume and feel with the previous breast, the new shape will be aesthetically appealing and convincingly mimicking the natural shape and appearance.

Breast reconstruction

At A Glance

Surgery Time

2 hours

Time off work

1-2 weeks

Hospital Stay

Day case

Washing

Shower after 1 week

Reasonably Mobile

1 day

Sleeping Position

Sleeping on back recommended for 1-2 weeks

Exercise Including Gym

6 weeks

Bras & Garments

Sports bar worn for 4 weeks

Sexual Activity

Restricted activity after 4 weeks

Full Recovery

6-8 weeks

Driving

2 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects and risks?

Breast reconstruction is a safe procedure, but like any surgery, it will most likely be followed by:

  • Swelling and hematoma (bruising);
  • Temporary numbness in the area of ​​the operation;
  • Small scars.

Other risks that breast reconstruction brings are common to each operation:

  • Nausea and vomiting;
  • Bleeding or infection;
  • Poor healing of incisions and scars;
  • Hematoma formation;
  • The operation with the flap hides the risk of partial or complete loss of the flap, as well as loss of sensation both at the donor site and at the site of reconstruction;
  • Implants carry a risk of hardening of the breast (capsular contracture) and rupture of the implant.

During your consultation, all risks will be discussed in detail between you and your surgeon.

When will the final results of the operation be visible?

Usually 6 – 8 weeks after the operation it starts to show what the end result will be. Appearance improvements continue slowly for 12 to 18 months. This is the time required for the healing process to complete. During this time, your surgeon will be able to advise you and guide you in your behavior.

Is it possible to do a mammogram after this operation?

Usually, women who have had a mastectomy to treat breast cancer do not need routine screening mammograms of the affected country. However, it is necessary to do regular examinations of the other breast.

Recurrence of the cancer is more likely in the skin and chest wall and is therefore more likely to be detected on physical examination.

If you have a breast implant and need a mammogram, it is best to find a clinic that has experience in performing mammograms on patients with breast implants, because obtaining good images in the presence of a breast implant is usually more difficult and requires specific experience and skills.

What is the cost of breast reconstruction?

Prices are formed individually after an online consultation and depending on the patient’s personal needs. Once we know what you want, you will receive our offer within 24 hours. You also can check our PRICE LIST.

How do we work

Once you have made contact with us, we will organize a free video consultation with the surgeon we believe is best suited for your particular situation.

This consultation will be within 5 days of your request. Prior to the video consultation, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history and send photos of the problematic areas. 

If necessary during the video consultation your doctor will advise you to take additional photos of the problematic areas and suggestions for the angle from which to take photos.

This consultation will be combined with a detailed discussion about your wishes and the possibilities for achieving them.  We will discuss with you the expected results, possible risks and any other issues that you might be concerned about.

We advise you to make a list of all the questions you may want to ask concerning the procedure before the actual consultation. After the official request to us, and if you wish, we can arrange a meeting for you with our representative in London.

Within 24 hours of the video consultation, we will send you a costing describing the price of the procedure and the needed length of stay in Bulgaria. In the costing there will also be preferential prices offered for our partner hotels with which we work and for which we can guarantee the quality and comfort. 

You will then have 3-4 days of time to reflect, and give us your decision.

If you decide to proceed and agree with all terms and conditions , you will have 48 hours within which you must prepay 30% of the total amount of the procedure. This amount is paid directly to the clinic where your procedure will be performed and thereby you will have a reserved date and time for your procedure and a room in the hotel you have chosen. The remaining balance has to be paid by the day before the procedure itself after conducting the preliminary examination in the clinic.

If you decide or need to cancel the procedure, this must be done at least 30 days before the date of your flight in order to be able to trigger a process for returning your deposit.  

If you decide to cancel our services within the last 30 days before your flight, you must have a good reason for doing so (supported by evidence) in order to take your money back. If you cancel it within these 30 days and the reason is acceptable, your money will be returned, but you will be suspended 50 euro for an administrative fee. If you wish to change the date of the procedure, this can happen at least 30 days before.

If you wish, we can also arrange your travel from your home to the airport. We are partners with a transport company and you can use our preferential prices. This also applies to your return flight. To do this, you will need to send us the details of your flight one week in advance.

Upon arrival in Bulgaria, you will be greeted at the airport by one of our employees who will take you to your hotel.

On the day before the operation, you will have a preliminary examination, where some necessary tests will be performed (e.g. blood tests) and we will specify all the details related to the operation (treatment plan, proposal for some additional or adjacent procedures for a better outcome, recovery plan etc). Our employee will take you to the clinic and after that to the place where you are to be accommodated.

Before the surgery, you will need to sign an informed consent document (i.e. a document certifying that you have been informed by the doctor about all potential risks and complications and that you understand them) and agree to proceed with the procedure).

On the day of the operation our employee will bring you back to the clinic. Depending on the procedure, you may need to have one or several days of hospital stay. After the completion of the procedure and the hospital stay, our employee will take you back to your hotel.

During the entire stay, our employee will be at your service throughout. 

If you wish, and if the procedure allows, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements but this must be specified in advance.

On the day of departure, you will be accompanied by our employee back to the airport.

If you wish, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements. This must be specified in advance.

You will be provided with a detailed plan on the recovery process. 

Online consultations in the recovery period will be arranged with your surgeon, but if you have stayed in the hospital after your procedure, the doctor will give you post-operative examinations on the first and third days.

On the seventh and fourteenth days, preventive online consultations will be made to track how the recovery goes.  

Online consultation reviews are also done on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6thmonths.You will be able to contact us at any time!