Breast Reconstruction

Losing a breast due to cancer or injury can not only alter one’s appearance, but it can also have a significant impact on their emotional well-being and self-esteem. Thankfully, there are advanced breast reconstruction options available that can rebuild the breast with results that look remarkably natural. Breast reconstruction is a general term for a variety of techniques that can be used to restore the breast after it has been removed via mastectomy. This can be achieved by using a muscle from the abdomen or back, or by using a breast implant.

Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dana Coberly, MD, understands how difficult this time can be, and she is committed to working closely and collaboratively with you and your medical team to determine the ideal breast reconstruction procedure for your needs.

• Breast Reconstruction Benefits
• Breast Reconstruction Candidates
• Types of Breast Reconstruction
• reast Reconstruction Recovery
• Breast Reconstruction Results
• Breast Reconstruction FAQs

“Dr. Coberly,

I want to sincerely thank you for putting me back together again. After my mastectomy, I felt like a rag doll with one piece missing, my right breast. I know the most important thing with cancer is surviving the odds, but it is so very nice to know that in the end, you sculpted me new breasts, and gave me my femininity back…”

Who Should Have Breast Reconstruction?

The decision to undergo breast reconstruction is a decision best made in consultation with your general surgeon, your oncologist, and your plastic surgeon. The stage and extent of your cancer as well as the planned treatment all affect this decision. Sometimes the reconstruction can be performed immediately after mastectomy, and other times the surgery will need to be delayed. Not all women choose to have breast construction, and some women have health problems that would interfere with a safe recovery. Each individual needs to look at her own situation and goals to make an informed decision with the help of the health care team.

What Are the Most Common Types of Breast Reconstruction?

There are three types of breast reconstruction surgery performed most often in the United States. You may not be a candidate for all types of reconstruction.

TRAM Flap (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap)

This procedure can be performed to reconstruct one or both breasts if needed. A muscle from your abdomen (half of your “six-pack”) is used along with the overlying tissue and skin to reconstruct your breast. This results in a tightening of your stomach, somewhat like a tummy tuck; however, this may create a scar located higher on the abdomen.

Implant

Immediate breast implantation following a mastectomy is another common technique. A breast implant can be used alone if enough of your skin is left to cover the implant. The implant is placed under your chest muscle. Usually, a temporary implant—called a tissue expander—will need to be used first to stretch the muscle and skin prior to placing the permanent breast implant. Silicone gel implants are often used to obtain a more natural breast shape and feel.

Latissimus Flap

This flap is designed from the muscle that goes from your shoulder across your back. Sometimes a small area of skin and fat is used to build a more natural breast. The muscle is usually placed over a tissue expander or implant because it is not large enough to create a whole breast by itself. The muscle provides more protection and camouflage for the implant than using the chest muscle alone.

What Is the Recovery Process Like Following Breast Reconstruction? 

Recovery following breast reconstruction surgery can vary depending on a patient’s individual treatment plan. The type of breast reconstruction surgery performed, as well as when it is performed (just after mastectomy or as a separate operation later), will determine whether an extended hospital stay is necessary. Prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication can help manage discomfort during the recovery process. Dr. Coberly advises patients to limit their activity to light walks, with many patients able to return to normal daily routines in a few weeks. Strenuous workouts and exercise should be avoided for roughly four to six weeks, or as recommended by Dr. Coberly. 

Our team will provide you with detailed post-operative guidelines to help you achieve the safest and most effective recovery possible, and we will schedule routine follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. 

What Kind of Results Can I Expect from Breast Reconstruction? 

Results may be influenced by a patient’s individual body type, procedure choice, and the quality of skin that remains on their chest; however, when performed by a qualified and skilled plastic surgeon such as Dr. Coberly, patients often see natural-looking and long-lasting improvements from their reconstruction procedure. It is important to note that there will be residual scarring where the incisions were created, and a certain degree of numbness or other long-term altered sensations in the reconstructed breast may be present. Dr. Coberly can talk more with you about the potential results once she has evaluated your needs and the specific reconstruction techniques are explored.  

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Reconstruction

Will breast implants make cancer detection more difficult? 

There is currently no evidence that breast implants make it more difficult to detect breast cancer. When screening for breast cancer, techniques such as 3D mammograms and routine MRIs may need to be adjusted to maximize breast visibility. 

If I have undergone radiation to treat breast cancer, can I have breast reconstruction? 

Patients who have undergone radiation for breast cancer can pursue breast reconstruction, but radiation therapy may influence the surgical technique that is utilized for the surgery. In addition, it is often recommended that patients delay reconstruction surgery until radiation therapy has been completed.  

What about my nipple?

Nipples can be reconstructed by moving around the tissue to create a mound, and tattooing can be done to recreate the areola and coloring of the nipple.

Will it match my other breast?

How well your reconstructed breast matches the natural breast depends on the size and shape of your natural breast and the reconstructive options available. You may choose to have the normal side altered (breast lift or breast augmentation) to achieve better symmetry.
For more information on breast reconstruction or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Coberly, please contact our office.