Breast Reconstruction in Sharjah

What is breast reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a series of operations that recreate the shape of a breast after some or all of it has been removed to treat or prevent breast cancer. It restores a breast mound, and later a nipple and areola, so that the chest looks balanced in clothes and in the mirror. Breast reconstruction is a choice, offered to every woman after breast cancer surgery, and it can take place at the same operation as the mastectomy or months or years afterwards.

There are two main ways to rebuild the breast. Implant-based reconstruction places a breast implant under the skin and chest muscle, often after a temporary expander has gently stretched the skin over several clinic visits. Own-tissue reconstruction moves a flap of skin and fat, sometimes with muscle, from another part of the body such as the back or the lower abdomen to form a new breast that feels warm and soft. Some women have a combination of the two.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, breast reconstruction is performed in-house by the surgical team of the plastic surgery department, working alongside the breast surgery team who treat the cancer.

Who needs it

Breast reconstruction is for women who have had, or are about to have, a mastectomy, and for women whose breast has changed shape noticeably after a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. It also suits women who choose a preventive mastectomy because of a strong family history or an inherited gene change.

Timing is a central decision. Immediate reconstruction is done during the mastectomy, so you wake with a breast shape already in place. Delayed reconstruction is done after cancer treatment is complete, which suits women who need radiotherapy, who want time to recover first, or who simply want to decide later. Both paths lead to a reconstructed breast, and the choice is yours.

The alternatives carry equal weight. Many women choose to stay flat, and others wear a soft breast form inside a post-surgery bra. Both are fully valid, and a woman can still choose reconstruction years later. The surgeon considers your cancer treatment plan, your body shape, your general health, smoking, and what matters most to you, and the decision is made together, at your own pace.

What happens

The first visit is a quiet, private consultation with Dr. Hamid Esmaeil, Specialist General & Cosmetic Surgeon. He reviews your cancer treatment, examines the chest and possible donor areas, and explains which methods suit your body. You are welcome to bring a family member or ask for a chaperone. Photographs may be taken for your medical record with your consent.

For implant-based reconstruction, the surgeon either places the implant directly or inserts a tissue expander. The expander is then topped up with salt water through a small port under the skin during short outpatient visits, until the skin has stretched enough, and a second, shorter operation swaps it for the final implant.

For own-tissue reconstruction, the surgeon shapes the flap into a breast and secures it on the chest. This operation takes longer and involves two wound areas, the breast and the donor site.

Many women then choose a symmetry procedure on the other breast, such as a lift or reduction, so the two sides match. The final stage is nipple reconstruction: a small flap of local skin is folded to form a nipple, and colour for the areola is added by medical tattooing once healing is complete. All operations are performed under general anaesthesia at Dar Al Kamal Hospital.

Preparing for it

Bring your cancer treatment summary, pathology report and any recent mammography or scan results, so the whole picture is in one place. Tell the team about every medicine and supplement you take, including hormone therapy, because some need a plan around surgery. Stopping smoking well beforehand protects blood flow to the skin and to any flap.

Choose a soft, front-fastening bra or loose button-up tops for the journey home. Arrange help with lifting, cooking and childcare for the early weeks. If your surgery falls near Ramadan, raise it early so fasting and medicines can be planned safely.

Afterwards

You wake with dressings, a supportive bra and sometimes small drains. Keeping your arm movements gentle at first protects the wound, and the team shows you simple shoulder exercises to keep the joint moving. Shape and softness settle over the following months, and scars fade gradually. In the Sharjah heat, keep cool indoors and change damp dressings as instructed.

Regular breast awareness continues for life on both sides, and follow-up with your cancer team carries on alongside surgical reviews at Dar Al Kamal Hospital.

Contact the hospital promptly if the reconstructed breast becomes red, hot, tense or suddenly swollen, if a wound leaks, if a flap changes colour or feels cold, or if you develop a fever. Go to the nearest emergency department straight away if you have chest pain, sudden breathlessness or a painful swollen leg.

Cost and insurance

Breast reconstruction after cancer surgery is reconstructive, and most UAE health insurance plans cover it with pre-approval, including stages such as nipple reconstruction and, under many policies, surgery on the other breast for symmetry. Pre-approval is usually requested with your surgical plan and cancer treatment records. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover and start the approval on 06 599 7777.