Suite 201
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Tel: 714.230.2430
BODY PROCEDURES
Breast Reconstruction
A variety of medical conditions may affect a woman’s breast. Breast Reconstruction allows for the correction and rebalancing of the shape and size of the breasts. Some women are born with anatomic differences between the breasts resulting in a visibly uneven size and shape. Others may develop visible moderate to severe changes of their breast after pregnancy and breast feeding. These changes may be subtle, or may be very prominent, causing distress in a women’s self image and femininity.
In most instances women seek Breast Reconstruction after breast cancer surgery, in which all of the breast is surgically removed, “Mastectomy”, or when a small portion of the breast is removed, “Lumpectomy”, depending on the size and type of breast cancer.
The goal of Breast Reconstruction is to treat the underlying anatomic breast condition, whether from a birth defect, pregnancy and breast feeding, or breast cancer surgery. At the end of the treatment process, the breasts appear anatomically pleasant and symmetric in shape and volume. Often times, the opposite breast also needs to be treated, with a Breast Reduction, Breast Lift, or Breast Implant to balance the size and shape of both breasts. More than one surgical procedure may need to be done to accomplish this goal. This is particularly true with breast cancer reconstruction.
Considering Breast Reconstruction?
There are several options for Breast Reconstruction depending on the medical condition of the breast. Reconstructive Breast surgery is ideal for those patients who have moderate to severe asymmetry of breast size and shape, and for those women who have undergone breast cancer surgery, requiring the reconstruction of an entire breast. Remember that often times the opposite breast may also need to be treated to create balance and symmetry.
Am I a good candidate for a Breast Reconstruction?
Women considering Breast Reconstruction may experience an improvement of the appearance of their breast, for the following conditions:
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When there is greater than one cup size difference between the right and left breast. One breast may have not developed during puberty.
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When there is a significant difference in the shape of the breast. One breast may be drooping, and the other may be smaller and higher in position.
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Irregularities of nipple size, shape and position.
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For reconstruction of a new breast and nipple following breast cancer surgery, “Mastectomy”, or for balancing of the breast volume after a “Lumpectomy”.
Your Personal Consultation
During your personal consultation with your plastic surgeon, you will be asked about the results you expect to achieve from Breast Reconstructive Surgery. This will help to understand your expectations and determine whether they can be realistically achieved. Your current health and medical history will also be reviewed. Your breast will be medically examined, and cosmetically evaluated for an optimal treatment plan depending on your presenting medical condition.
How will I be evaluated for Breast Reconstruction?
For those women who were born with breast abnormalities, or who have acquired significant breast asymmetry following pregnancy and breast feeding, the breast are examined to evaluate the ideal size and shape. The quality of your breast skin will also be evaluated. Measurements and photographs may be taken for your medical record.
When a woman desires breast reconstruction as a result of breast cancer surgery, a consultation with your plastic surgeon is ideally done before breast cancer surgery. This allows for a thorough evaluation of both breast, including measurements and photos for your medical record. Preoperative planning is done to reconstruct a new breast, and to balance the opposite breast if necessary. Your options of using any one of a variety of surgical techniques is discussed at this time. In addition, treatment plans are coordinated with your surgical and medical oncologist prior to undergoing Breast Reconstructive surgery.
Will my insurance help cover the cover of surgery?
Breast Reconstructive surgery for medical conditions are usually covered by medical health insurance plans. Many factors determine your eligibility for coverage, including the specific terms of your insurance policy.
How is a Breast Reconstructive surgery performed?
Your plastic surgeon will provide you with the most advanced medical expertise throughout the reconstructive process. Individual factors and personal preferences will determine the specific technique selected for Breast Reconstruction. Depending on the type of surgery and your current health, the procedure may be done at the hospital, or at our certified out patient surgery center under general anesthesia.
For those patients that have moderate to severe breast asymmetry from birth abnormalities, pregnancy and breast feeding, or after having undergone a “Lumpectomy” for breast cancer, the ideal treatment may be a breast augmentation of the affected breast. When it is necessary to correct the opposite breast for optimal breast symmetry, a Breast Lift or a Breast Reduction may be done at this time. Differences in nipple size, shape and position may also be corrected during the surgery.
For patients requiring complete reconstruction of a breast for breast cancer, the reconstructive surgery is typically done at the time of the mastectomy. Two types of Breast Reconstruction are available: Reconstruction of a new breast using a breast implant, or reconstruction using the patient’s own skin, fat and muscle, known as a “Flap”. Both of these procedures are done under general anesthesia at the hospital, and are usually done at the time of the mastectomy. Several procedures are usually required for Breast Reconstruction following a mastectomy. The timing of these procedures will be thoroughly discussed with you during your consultation and through out the Breast Reconstruction process.
Breast Reconstructive for Breast Cancer using a Breast Implant
For those women who are candidates for a Breast Implant, a temporary breast implant known as a “Tissue Expander” is placed underneath the chest muscle immediately following the mastectomy. It is then filled with saline, “expanded”, over several months in the plastic surgeon’s office.
When the optimal breast volume is reached, the “tissue expander” is surgically removed, and replaced with a silicone or saline breast implant. If necessary, the opposite breast may be treated with a Breast Lift or a Breast Reduction at the time of the permanent breast implant placement. A new nipple and areola for the surgically reconstructed breast is done at a later date, when the swelling from surgery has resolved.
“Tissue Expanders” and breast implants for breast reconstruction come in many types of shapes and sizes to create a new breast that will best approximate the opposite breast. Your plastic surgeon will closely guide you to the best selection of the breast implant for your body type.
Breast Reconstructive for Breast Cancer using a “Flap”
When a patient is a candidate for Breast Reconstruction using a “Flap”, tissue may be used from the patient’s abdomen, back or buttocks to create a new breast. The breast is formed over the mastectomy site, by passing the “Flap” through a tunnel of skin, as in the case of the “Abdominal Flap” (TRAM Flap), and the “Back Flap” (Latissimus Dorsi Flap). When the “Buttocks Flap” (Gluteal Flap) is used, the tissue is removed and re-attached to the chest vessels over the mastectomy site. A breast implant may be used along with the “Flap” when more breast volume is needed . After the newly reconstructed breast heals, a new nipple and areola are reconstructed. The nipple-areola reconstruction may be done comfortably under local anesthesia.
Understanding Risk
Every year many thousands of women undergo successful Breast Reconstruction surgery, and are pleased with their results. Anyone considering Breast Reconstruction, however, should be aware of both the benefits and risks of this procedure. This will be reviewed during your personal consultation with your plastic surgeon.
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