Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy - Your Options

Unfortunately, most American women do not even realize they have the option of breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Breast reconstruction is not a cosmetic procedure.... it is every woman's right: it restores something that nature has provided but cancer has taken away. It is also covered by insurance thanks to a Federal Mandate in 1998.

Women have many reconstructive options after mastectomy. These range from breast implants to "autologous" techniques which use the patient's own tissue to recreate a "natural", warm, soft breast. The nipple and areola (the darker area surrounding the nipple) can also be recreated.

Immediate vs. Delayed Surgery

Immediate reconstruction is performed at the same time as the mastectomy. Once the general surgeon finishes the mastectomy, the plastic surgeon begins creating the new breast. Advantages include keeping the natural breast skin ("skin sparing mastectomy") and less scarring. The patient also wakes up "complete" and avoids the experience of a flat chest.Most women with early breast cancer (stage I or II) are candidates for immediate reconstruction.

Delayed reconstruction usually takes place several months after the mastectomy. Patients should discuss all options with their surgeons to determine the best treatment plan. Patients having radiation may be advised to delay the surgery for the best cosmetic results. This delay may be for several months. This allows the chest tissues to heal as much as possible after the radiation.

Breast Reconstruction Options

Our board certified plastic surgeons are very experienced with all types of breast reconstruction but we strongly favor advanced microsurgical procedures using the patient's own tissue. This is because we feel these procedures provide superior and very natural results. To find out more about the options available at our San Antonio practice, please click the links below:

DIEP flap

SIEA flap

GAP flap

TUG flap

Muscle-sparing free TRAM Flap

Latissimus Flap

Breast Implants/Alloderm

Publications

Our surgical results are highlighted in many different medical journals including Seminars in Plastic Surgery, A New Decade in Breast Reconstruction which published our article "Breast Reconstruction in Private Practice." This article discusses PRMA's success in private practice.

Before and after Pictures

Please visit our Gallery to see breast reconstruction before and after photos.