Breast Reconstruction in Thailand

What you need to know about Breast Reconstruction in Thailand

Breast reconstruction is to reform or reshape the breast(s) after a mastectomy or lumpectomy. A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes the entire breast, usually including the nipple and areola, in order to treat or prevent breast cancer. A lumpectomy is the removal of a piece of the breast where there is a smaller tumor. This reconstruction process can help a woman find her self-confidence again and feel better during her cancer recovery.

While many factors determine what kind of breast reconstruction surgery would best suit an individual, there are two main types of breast reconstruction surgery:

1. Implants / Prosthetics
2. Autologous / Skin Flap Surgery

 

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MyMediTravel offers 72 Medical Centers in Thailand, with many offering Breast Reconstruction procedures - see below for the complete list, along with estimated prices. The price of a Breast Reconstruction can vary according to each individual’s case and will be determined based on photos and an in-person assessment with the doctor. For a bespoke quote and to discuss further with a member of our patient support team, Click Here to submit your Free Quote.

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Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Implants or prosthetics: Breast reconstruction with implants is a procedure where silicone or saline implants are inserted underneath the skin or muscle below where the breast tissue was.

• For most patients, this is done in two stages. During the first surgery, a tissue expander is placed under the remaining skin of the breast or pectoralis muscles. The tissue expander acts as a temporary saline implant that gradually stretches the remaining tissue.
• After the woman has healed from surgery, sterile saline or salt water is injected into the tissue expander on a weekly basis. This gradually enlarging balloon stretches the overlying skin and muscle until it has reached a size the woman is satisfied to have.
• When the chest tissues have healed and enough saline has been added to the tissue expander to prepare the chest for the implants, a second surgical procedure is performed.
• The tissue expander is removed and replaced with either a silicone or saline implant. The original scar is usually reopened, and therefore, typically, no new scars are left on the chest.
• This complex reconstruction may be started at the time of the mastectomy or may be delayed until after the cancer treatment is complete.

Autologous or skin flap surgery: Tissue is taken from another part of the body and moved to the chest to form a breast. The tissue to reconstruct the breast is usually taken from the abdomen but may be taken from other places on the body, including the buttock (Gluteal Flap), back (Tram Flap) or belly (Tram Flap).

• Breast reconstruction with flap surgery is a very complex surgery, as it involves transferring tissue from one area of the body to another. This surgery is done using one of two methods: free flap surgery or pedicle flap surgery.
• In free flap surgery, the surgeon completely removes the tissue and surrounding blood vessels to be placed in the breast. Blood vessels are sewn to the blood vessels in the chest where the tissue is to be placed. The blood vessels are very small, so a microscope is used to sew them together in a long and technical procedure called microsurgery.
• In pedicle flap surgery, the tissue being transplanted is not entirely cut off from all of its blood vessels prior to being transplanted. It is left attached to the body and usually rotated into the chest to create the breast. This is usually done using tissue from the abdomen or back.
• In some cases, a combination of both techniques may be used to reconstruct the breast more naturally. Additionally, some techniques can be added on to either surgery to reconstruct the nipple area if it has been affected by the cancer treatment.
• Breast reconstruction may be started at the time of the mastectomy or lumpectomy. When this is done, it is known as immediate reconstruction.
• Reconstruction can also be done after the mastectomy has healed and cancer treatments are finished. In this case, the surgery is known as delayed reconstruction.

The type of reconstruction that is best for you depends on your age, body type, and the type of cancer surgery that you had. A plastic surgeon can help you decide.

Not all women who undergo mastectomies choose to have breast reconstruction done. Some women may choose to wear a prosthetic breast form either inside their bras or attached to their bodies. These artificial body parts mimic the look and feel of the natural breast and provide the body with the weight it needs for good posture.

 

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Recovery time and Risks

You will feel tired and sore for a week or 2 after implant surgery, or longer after a flap procedure (which will leave you with 2 surgical wounds). Your doctor will give you medicines to help control pain and other discomfort.

Depending on the type of surgery you have, you will most likely be able to go home from the hospital within a few days, but required to stay in Thailand for at least two weeks before traveling home. You may be discharged with one or more drains in place. A drain is a small tube that’s put in the wound to remove extra fluid from the surgery site while it heals. In most cases, fluid drains into a small hollow ball that you’ll learn how to empty before you leave the hospital. The doctor will decide when the drains can be safely removed depending on how much fluid is collecting each day. Follow your doctor’s instructions on wound and drain care. Also be sure to ask what kind of support garments you should wear. If you have any concerns or questions, ask someone on your cancer care team.

Most women can start to get back to normal activities within about 6 to 8 weeks. If implants are used without flaps, your recovery time may be shorter. Some things to keep in mind: Reconstruction does not restore normal feeling to your breast, but some feeling may return over a period of years.

It may take up to about 8 weeks for bruising and swelling to go away. Try to be patient as you wait to see the final result.

It may take as long as 1 to 2 years for tissues to heal fully and scars to fade, but the scars never go away completely.

Call your doctor right away if you notice any new skin changes, swelling, lumps, pain, or fluid leaking from the breast, armpit, or flap donor site, or if you have other symptoms that concern you.

Any type of surgery has risks, and breast reconstruction may pose certain unique problems for some women. Even though many of these are not common, it’s important to have an idea of some of the possible risks and side effects: Problems with the anesthesia, Bleeding, Blood clots, Tissue death (necrosis) of all or part of a tissue flap, skin, or fat, Loss of or changes in nipple and breast sensation, Problems with a breast implant, such as movement, leakage, rupture, or scar tissue formation (capsular contracture), Uneven breasts.

Infection can happen with any surgery, most often in the first couple of weeks after surgery. If an implant has been placed, it might have to be removed until the infection clears. A new implant can be put in later. If you have a tissue flap, surgery may be needed to clean the wound.

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Additional factors to consider:

1. Success rates are extremely high with the modern advances in technology and the techniques used by surgeons.

2. Patient reviews often refer to be being pleased with the level of professionalism and emotional support throughout the entire process leading up to and following the surgery. Often the increase in self-confidence is considered the biggest positive from the procedure. Before and after photos are available online with patient comments.

3. For an in-depth analysis of the Tissue Expander process, watch this short video.

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Find top clinics for Breast Reconstruction in Thailand at the lowest price. Compare costs & reviews of 72 clinics, specialized in Breast Reconstruction procedures in Thailand.

Breast Reconstruction in and around Thailand

About Thailand

Thailand leads the way for Asian countries with over 60 state-of-the-art JCI accredited facilities and consistently voted one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. It's known for its tropical beaches, floating markets, stunning royal palaces and Buddhist temples. In Bangkok, the capital, an ultramodern cityscape rises with brand new high-rise condominium developments next to quiet canal side communities. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the most popular tourist areas outside of Bangkok are Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Pattaya, all with great yacht chartering opportunities.

Thailand welcomes hundreds of thousands of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Breast Reconstruction procedures. Medical Tourists travel from all across the globe, particularly from the local SE Asia region, Australia, US, Middle East and an increasing amount are traveling from China. An outstanding private healthcare system combined with a hot tropical climate and competitive prices means that Thailand is now the third most popular destination in the world for medical tourism. The most popular procedures tend to be cosmetic surgery (breast augmentations, gender reassignment surgery and CoolSculpting to name a few), cardiac surgery, orthopedics and urology.

Popular Parts of Thailand

With a population of just under 70 million people spread across an area of around 500k square km, Thailand’s most popular regions / cities include Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Samui and Hua Hin. The capital city Bangkok is one of the most visited cities in the world, whilst Thailand as a whole receives over 30 million tourists each year, the vast majority of these will enter Thailand through Bangkok. 

As Bangkok is the only urbanized region mentioned, all others are centered around island / beach life, with the exception of Chiang Mai, set in the northern Thailand jungle.

Weather and Climate in Thailand

Known for its truly tropical climate and scorching temperatures, Thailand, in general, is hot and humid all year round. The coastal locations do benefit from the cooling sea breeze, a luxury urban Bangkok is denied. Average temperatures range from 28°C (82°F) up to 35°C (95°F). However, during the Hot Season (March to June), temperatures can top 40°C (104°F).

The infamous Rainy Season tends to start in July and continue through to October; during this time expect heavy rainfall, often amounting to flooding in some areas. It will remain warm to hot but humidity levels will rise and the mosquitos will come out to play!

November to February is often referred to as the Cool Season when less rain is expected and the temperatures tend not to rise above 35°C (95°F).

From a tourist perspective; High Season lasts from November to March and Low Season April to October. But be aware of the Shoulder Seasons of April to June and September to October, when Thailand is less impacted by the Rainy Season and less busy with tourists – these can be the ideal times to visit.

In a nutshell, Thailand is a Shorts and T-shirt Country, you’re never really going to be cold, so pack light; shorts, t-shirts, vests, skirts, singlets and light dresses. Maybe pack jeans and shoes if you’re planning on going to a swanky roof-top bar in Bangkok or to a temple where flip-flops are not acceptable.

Don’t forget mosquito spray as the little pests can get everywhere; big ones and little ones! Always protect against the sun; high factor sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses. The usual medications found at home should be available in most pharmacies.

Getting around in Thailand

With the Suvarnabhumi International Airport being serviced by some of the world’s major airlines, tourists can fly into Thailand from almost anywhere in the world, sometimes with a connection along the way. All the popular regions have their own international airports, with the exception of Pattaya, which is just a 90-minute taxi ride from Bangkok. However, arrival destinations are slightly limited outside of Bangkok, but the likes of Emirates and Qatar Airways will fly into Phuket International Airport. The rest, mostly fly in from local countries on budget airlines, including Scoot, SilkAir, AirAsia and Lion Air to name a few.

For domestic flights, the airports are nicely linked in Thailand with flights from as little as $45 USD one way. There are several budget airlines servicing these routes, including Thai Lion Air, AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and Thai Smile.

The train allows for even cheaper travel within Thailand and is far more comfortable than spending hours sitting on a bus. Bangkok has the BTS, or Skytrain, which allows for fast transfer from the airport into the city. Given the traffic in central Bangkok, the BTS offers a great alternative to being stuck in traffic jams.

Taxis are great, however, be sure to confirm the price before you begin your journey or better still, insist the ride goes on the meter – that is how you guarantee the cheapest and fairest price. But expect traffic in the city and any built-up areas.

Tourist Visas in Thailand

Whilst Thailand is most welcoming of tourists from all over the world, travelers should check with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand for confirmation. Those with a UK, US, German, Australian, Singaporean passport, for example, do not require a visa when entering and can stay for up to 30 days. Whereas Chinese and Indian passport holders are required to apply for a visa on arrival, which lasts up to 15 days – for more information, click here.

Additional Information

1. The Thai Baht (THB) is the local currency and $1 USD will get you 30-33 THB, or in other words, 1,000 THB is worth approximately $32 USD.
2. ATMs are readily available across Thailand and accept virtually all major bank cards (Visa, Mastercard). Credit card payment is accepted in most established restaurants and outlets, with the more local food vendors, for example, only accepting cash. Tipping is common as service is not included at restaurants, anything around 10% is fine.
3. Thai is the local language but due to the extremely well-established tourism industry in Thailand, English is spoken by most locals who work with tourists and often signs will have an English translation.
4. Buddhism (95%) is the primary religion throughout Thailand, with a large Muslim population (4%) mostly focused in the south. The Royal Family is deeply revered throughout the country and should never be disrespected, such behavior is severely punished. Pointing with your feet and touching another person’s head is considered extremely rude.
5. There are many public holidays in Thailand, which aren’t always on the same day each year, including Songkran (Thai New Year), which is celebrated in mid-April, Labor Day and Coronation Day in early May, Asanha Buja in July and Constitution Day in December.