After a breast cancer surgery like a mastectomy or lumpectomy, many women experience a loss of sensation in their breasts. This can be a difficult and frustrating side effect that affects a woman's sense of self, emotional well-being, and intimacy.
However, with a revolutionary surgical technique called Resensation, an expert breast reconstruction surgeon can potentially restore sensation. This procedure uses nerve repair and regeneration techniques to reconnect the nerves in the breast, allowing women to regain feeling and sensitivity in their reconstructed breast.
At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we know how important it is for women who have undergone breast cancer treatment to feel whole again. That's why we are proud to offer Resensation as part of our comprehensive breast reconstruction services.
What is Resensation™?
During a mastectomy or lumpectomy, the nerves that provide sensation to the breast skin and nipple are cut as part of the procedure. Imagine these nerves like a vast, intricate network of telephone wires that connect your brain to your breast tissue. When these wires are severed, the communication between your brain and breast is disrupted, resulting in a loss of sensation.
Resensation works by repairing and reconnecting these damaged nerves. During the procedure, surgeons use a 'nerve allograft,' or donor nerve tissue, to close the gap between the damaged nerves. This tissue provides the body with everything it needs to support nerve regeneration, including proteins that promote healing and prevent rejection from the immune system, as well as a scaffold-like structure that acts as a bridge for axons, the thin fibers that connect nerve cells together.
Once the surgery is completed, the axons begin to regenerate and eventually reconnect the severed nerves. This reestablishes the communication between the brain and the breast, enabling the return of breast sensation. It's important to note that this regeneration process isn't immediate; it can take several months for the nerves to begin to regain feeling, and up to two years for full sensation to return.
Who is a Candidate for Resensation™?
Resensation is an option for women who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy and are undergoing natural breast reconstruction surgery. Unfortunately, Resensation is not currently available for those undergoing implant-based reconstruction.
While breast implants can restore the shape and size of the breasts, they don't have the ability to carry the complex network of nerves needed for sensation. For this reason, we recommend that women who are interested in regaining sensation in their breasts consider natural breast reconstruction, which uses tissue from the body to create a new breast.
Resensation™ During Natural Breast Reconstruction
At The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction, we specialize in natural breast reconstruction procedures that utilize the body's own tissue to create a new breast. Unlike traditional implant-based reconstruction, these flap reconstruction procedures use your own body tissue to rebuild your breast, contributing to a more natural look and feel.
This tissue, whether from the abdomen, thighs, back, or buttocks, contains the necessary nerves for sensation and can be connected to the donor site through microsurgery. By combining natural breast reconstruction with Resensation, we can offer our patients a comprehensive approach that addresses both form and function. Not only will women have reconstructed breasts that look natural, but breasts that feel natural, too.
Talk To A Surgeon About Your Options
In the recovery journey, breast reconstruction is a pivotal step towards feeling complete again. The revolutionary Resensation technique plays a significant role in this process, offering the possibility of restoring sensation that might have been lost during a mastectomy or lumpectomy.
Our team of expert surgeons at The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction is deeply committed to supporting breast cancer patients on this journey. Through our broad range of services catered specifically for breast cancer patients, we strive to not only restore the physical aspects but also the much-needed sense of self. Beyond Resensation, we provide 3D nipple tattooing, a process that creates a natural and realistic-looking nipple after reconstruction; Direct to Implant (DTI) reconstruction for those seeking a more immediate breast reconstruction process; and implant removal for those who are unhappy with their current implants.
When picking a plastic surgeon for your breast reconstruction, choose one that truly cares about your well-being. Schedule a consultation with our team today to explore your options.
Ready to take the next step in your reconstruction journey? The Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction is ready to guide you through the process. Schedule your appointment online today and get started with South Carolina's top breast reconstruction specialists!
