Breast Reconstruction After Mammoplasty

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction surgery, also known as reconstruction mammoplasty, can recreate natural-looking, youthful breasts for women following a lumpectomy, mastectomy, or double-mastectomy. A lumpectomy refers to the partial removal of the breast due to breast cancer, while a mastectomy involves the surgical removal of all of the breast. Breast reconstruction is often part of the recovery process for women who have completed breast cancer treatment, as reconstruction mammoplasty can help restore a sense of self. Advancements in breast surgery have led to innovative breast reconstruction techniques that can achieve realistic results. Patients have numerous breast reconstruction options available to them to help recreate the breasts and restore femininity, including breast implants, flap reconstruction, and breast fat transfer.

Your Breast Reconstruction Procedure

Breast reconstruction can be performed at an outpatient surgical facility or local hospital, depending on the extent of your procedure. There are different reconstruction mammoplasty techniques available to reconstruct the breasts, including breast implants, flap reconstruction, and fat grafting.

Breast Implants: A tissue expander is utilized to create a pocket for placement of your breast implant(s). This device is positioned underneath your pectoral muscle and gradually stretches your skin and muscle to allow room for your breast implant. Once a pocket is created, your breast surgeon will place your implant. Implants vary by type, size, and shape, allowing your breast reconstruction surgeon to choose a breast implant that best fits in with your profile.

Flap Reconstruction: Flap reconstruction surgery refers to the use of your body’s own tissue and muscle to reconstruct the breasts. A flap of tissue is taken from another area of the body, such as the midsection (TRAM flaps or DIEP flaps) or back (latissimus dorsi flaps) and then used to reconstruct the breast. Though tissue flap reconstruction is an extensive procedure, it can produce substantial, natural-looking results.

Fat Grafting: Breast fat transfer can be used in conjunction with breast implant surgery and, in some cases, tissue flap reconstruction, to help shape the breast. During fat grafting, your body’s own fat cells are taken from a donor site, including the abdomen or buttocks, and then injected into the breasts to smooth contours and help add natural-looking shape.

Nipple Reconstruction: Following your breast reconstruction surgery, the nipples and areolas can be reshaped using your surrounding skin.

Breast Reconstruction Options

What To Expect After Undergoing Your Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction patients can expect moderate swelling and bruising following surgery. Stitches are usually removed within 1-2 weeks of surgery and patients can expect anywhere from 6-8 weeks of healing time. Exact timeframes and guidelines will ultimately depend on the specifics of your reconstruction mammoplasty surgery. Your breast reconstruction surgeon will discuss these details with you during your in-office consultation.

Breast reconstruction surgery can achieve realistic results for women who have undergone a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Breast implants, fat transfer, and flap reconstruction can each restore natural-looking breasts. You can expect to see the full extent of your breast reconstruction results in the months following your recovery.

Get Started With Breast Reconstruction

Click here to find a member of the Persian American Society of Plastic Surgeons near you and get started with your breast reconstruction consultation.