Reconstructive Surgery in Mumbai, India

The term "reconstructive" refers to the process of rebuilding something after it has been damaged or destroyed.

Reconstructive surgery restores the function of parts of your body that have been damaged by birth defects, disease-related defects, or injury-related defects and ageing. When reconstructive surgery is done to enhance appearance and self-esteem, it's called cosmetic surgery.

Examples of reconstructive surgery:

Palate repair, cleft lip, and breast reconstructions.

Alternative Name For Reconstructive Surgery

Reconstructive plastic surgery

Body Location

Any affected body part.

How Reconstructive Surgery is Performed?

Treatment varies depending upon the body part affected. Here are the following reconstructive surgeries concerning different body organs:

• Breast reduction or reconstruction: Performed on women undergoing mastectomy or those who have abnormal breasts, or abnormally larger breasts causing health issues. Men with saggy breasts also undergo breast reduction.
• Feet and hand reconstructive surgery: Those who have abnormalities in legs and hands such as extra toes or fingers or cancerous and non-cancerous tumors can undergo this surgery. Congenital disease or carpal tunnel syndrome is also treated through this surgery.
• Microsurgery: Also known as flap procedure, this reconstructive surgery is performed to restore or replace injured or diseased body parts.  
• Facial reconstructive surgery: Performed to repair facial defects like palate repair and cleft lip. Extreme snoring, chronic infections, and sinuses can also be treated by this surgery.

Other reconstructive surgeries include:

• Head reshaping surgery(Craniosynostosis)
• Transfeminine of transmasculine surgeries
• Body contouring or Panniculectomy
• Septoplasty

Preparation for Reconstructive Surgery

Following are the things you can do to prepare yourself for the surgery:

• Talk to your concerned doctor, and tell them everything about your medical history, including the medicines you are taking.
• Your doctor might suggest your pre-surgery diet. Follow it.
• Get all the lab tests done beforehand. Stop alcohol and smoking.
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin or any herbal supplements to avoid the chances of bleeding.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Stop drinking and smoking.
• Eat as much healthy as you can.

Procedure Type

Depending upon the type of reconstructive surgery, it can be inpatient surgery. 

Follow Up

The follow up should start as soon as the surgery completes. You should start scheduling follow-up appointments with your doctor after a week of surgery, for the removal of sutures and regular physical examination. For a holistic healing process, you need to rest and take care of yourself. Routine dressings are done by nurses and doctors. Family members can help in a patient's recovery as well. With regular follow-up, your medications will also be changed, and doses are modified according to the level of healing. Surgery is a mentally draining and stressful process, do not neglect your mental health. Initially, it will be difficult to adjust to the new body. Consult a therapist or a counsellor if you feel the need.

Risks For Reconstructive Surgery 

All medical surgeries have associated risks, even if it's a non-invasive surgery. Here are the most common risks of reconstructive surgery:

• Bleeding
• Blood clotting
• Microbial infections
• Healing difficulties
• Nausea and fatigue
• Abnormal skin changes
• Swelling in the operated body part
• Lump formation
• Extreme pain
• Leakage of fluid

Immediately concern your healthcare provider if you experience any such problems.

Recovery From Reconstructive Surgery

You may be able to return to work/school right away or not for several weeks, depending on the sort of reconstructive surgery you have. Recovery in reconstructive surgery is faster if all the guidelines are followed properly. Timely and regular dressing of wounds is important. Care should be taken while doing daily activities like eating and bathing. Do not try any strenuous activity before you heal completely, and take as much rest as you can.