Breast
Reconstruction
Breast Reconstruction
Post Treatment
Treatment Information
Approaches to breast reconstruction
-
Flap techniques
These procedures (such as TRAM flap, DIEP flap, SGAP flap, and latissiumus dorsi flap) use muscle, fat and skin from other parts of your body such as your abdomen, buttock, or back to recreate a breast mound. The donor tissue is often tunneled to the mastectomy site and remains attached to its original blood supply. In many cases, a flap technique may be combined with a breast implant. -
Tissue expansion
Patients who choose tissue expansion should expect a lengthy process that involves several office visits over an extended period of time. An expander will be placed underneath the skin and will be filled gradually to stretch the skin, making room for an implant. This procedure, although time consuming, can have the advantage of quicker and easier recovery when compared to flap procedures. -
Breast implants
A breast implant (either saline or silicone) can be used to create the breast mound. This is often combined with flap techniques or tissue expansion.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
While most women will have some type of breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy, it is not absolutely necessary. The benefits are to help women fill out a bra and maintain a sense of well being. However, some women choose to have the cancer operation without any immediate reconstruction. Others may consider having delayed reconstruction in future. The choice is certainly individualized and we would love the opportunity to help make the best decision with you. Federal law mandates all commercial insurance plans pay for breast reconstruction. We work closely with local breast surgeons to provide our patients with quality reconstruction. Once you come in for a consultation, we will work with your insurance to get authorization for any procedures you request. If we are not in your network, we can often apply for an exception to help contain costs. A member appeal is often needed and our office can help with this process. Our surgical coordination will discuss this at your visit and we would be pleased to assist throughout the process.
The best way to determine with any certainty if breast reconstruction is appropriate for you is to meet with Dr. Priti Patel.
For implant reconstruction, most women take two to four weeks off following the mastectomy and placement of the tissue expanders. For any subsequent surgeries (removal of the tissue expanders and placement of the permanent implant), the recovery is quick, however we recommend at least a few days off. Many women are able to return to work during the tissue expansion process.
For tissue flap reconstruction, women generally take six to eight weeks off of work.
