Breast Reconstruction Overview
Our team of compassionate medical professionals knows how important breast reconstruction surgery can be to women, who have had 1 or both breasts removed as part of cancer treatment. There are many cutting-edge reconstruction procedures available that are generally discussed early on during the mastectomy planning. Scottsdale, AZ board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Carlos Mata, a.k.a. Dr. Scottsdale® performs both immediate and delayed breast reconstruction with implant-based procedures.
Known as immediate breast reconstruction, this cosmetic surgery is performed simultaneously with the mastectomy. Dr. Mata will work with your general surgeon to help you heal in the best way possible. If the surgery needs to be scheduled at a later date, this is known as delayed reconstruction. Each patient will have her own individual treatment plan. Dr. Mata also performs breast reconstruction for women, who have had their breasts removed due to traumatic injury or birth defects.
Surgical Technique
Surgical techniques vary and today, patients are getting more options that may match their personal preferences. It is important to find a highly specialized plastic surgeon to perform breast reconstruction and one who will work with the cancer surgeon to achieve a natural result.
Reconstruction with Implants
Breast implants are a common method used with a reconstruction procedure. When implants are being considered, the reconstruction process is usually performed in a multi-stage treatment session. A tissue expander is placed in between the chest muscle and the skin during the mastectomy. This expander will be gradually filled with a saline solution to expand the skin and eventually replace it with an implant. Sometimes, the saline-filled expander is retained instead of an implant.
Autologous Reconstruction
Flap procedures harvest skin and muscle tissue from donor sites and transfer them to the breast. The surgeon may choose between one of the following common techniques:
- TRAM flap involves grafting skin and muscle tissues on the lower part of the abdomen.
- Latissimus Dorsi flap uses skin and muscle tissues from the upper back.
- GAP flap uses skin, fat and muscle tissues from the buttocks area.
- TUG flap harvests skin, fat and muscle tissues from the inner thighs near the buttocks area.
Nipple/Areola Restoration
When a breast is surgically removed, the nipple and areola are not spared. To recreate this area, skin and muscle tissues are grafted and formed to look like a nipple while the areola is achieved by tattooing. This is done when the breast reconstruction has fully healed.
Things to Consider
The surgical planning for a breast reconstruction typically begins at the same time as the planning for the mastectomy. There are points to consider such as how soon the patient will have the reconstruction and what type of reconstruction technique is best per the surgical case. It will need to be decided whether implants or tissue grafts are used, what type (if any) nipple and areola reconstruction will be used, and other techniques that are specific to the patient’s circumstance. The general goal is to help the patient regain a normal appearance of the breasts as part of the final phase of breast cancer treatment.
Breast Reconstruction
Breast lift surgeries are performed under IV sedation (light) or deep sedation in our Scottsdale, AZ surgical office. The recovery will vary based on the types of breast lift and patients but varies from a few days to two weeks. Patients are encouraged to move around within the first 48 hours; ie: walking. Activities, such as carrying heavy objects, or any activity that puts pressure on the chest or exercising must be avoided for 6 weeks.
During/After Surgery
Breast reconstruction uses general anesthesia, and the patient is often required to stay in a hospital if done simultaneously with the mastectomy. Patients who have flap surgeries sometimes stay up to 5 days for monitoring. There will be discomfort and pain within the first week, and the patient may feel disoriented with the newly formed chest. Temporary drain tubes and bandages are placed to assist in healing. It can be unnerving to go through a major body change; however, patients find it gratifying and relieving that they are able to once again look and feel normal as they start their new journey towards becoming a cancer survivor.
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Breast Reconstruction FAQs
Which Surgeon?
With breast reconstruction, a plastic surgeon will work alongside the cancer surgeon and be primarily involved and responsible as it pertains to restoring the appearance. It is a highly specialized surgery so it is critical to choose a plastic surgeon that has years of successful experience in this type of surgery.
If a patient knows she will want to restore her breasts with a reconstruction procedure, it is recommended that this process begins at the time as the mastectomy. During the breast removal portion, the tissue expanders may be put into place, which eliminates a new surgery. This ultimately decreases the risk of complications.
Breast Sensation?
Because the breast is completely removed and a new one is formed, there will be a loss of sensation. Over time, there is a possibility that this sensation may be slowly regained. This is different for every patient. While some patients regain their sensitivity, there is no guarantee that this will be the case for everyone.
