BREAST BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SAN ANTONIO

Breast Procedures

Breast Reconstruction

After a mastectomy, a woman may feel dissatisfied with her chest appearance. Breast reconstruction surgery can help.

STARS Plastic Surgery has several techniques to give a woman back normal-looking breasts with enhanced shape and size. Most techniques involve using your own body's tissue, a breast implant or both to recreate the breast mound on your chest. Not every procedure is right for every woman. Your plastic surgeon will thoroughly evaluate you and your goals and then come up with a plan customized for you.

Breast reconstruction surgery in San Antonio, Tx

CONSIDERATIONS

The surgical planning for a breast reconstruction typically begins at the same time as the planning for the mastectomy. Considerations include how soon the patient will have the procedure and what type of reconstruction technique is best suited for the case.

The surgical plan also will determine whether to use implants or tissue grafts, whether (or how) to incorporate nipple and areola reconstruction, and other procedures specific to the patient’s circumstance that need to be employed. 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.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Surgical techniques vary, and today, patients are getting more options that can 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. Reconstruction with implants usually occurs in a multi-stage treatment session. The doctor places a tissue expander 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.
DIEP and SIEA flap graft tissue from the lower part of the abdomen, but harvests only the skin and fat tissues instead of muscles.
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

Nipple and areola reconstruction occur after the surgical breast removal process when the breast. Skin and muscle tissues are grafted and formed to recreate the nipple, while the areola is achieved by tattooing. This occurs when the breast reconstruction has fully healed.

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 assist in healing. It can be unnerving to go through a major body change; however, patients find it gratifying and relieving that they once again look and feel normal as they start their new journey towards becoming a cancer survivor.

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Breast Reconstruction FAQs

What Type Of Doctor Does Breast Reconstruction?

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.

How Long Do You Have To Wait For Breast Reconstruction?

If a patient knows she will want to restore her breasts with a reconstruction procedure, we recommend that this process begins at the same time as the mastectomy. Your surgeon will give you specific details on timing of reconstruction based on which procedure is right for you. In many cases you may be able to have tissue expanders placed at the time of your mastectomy.

Does Feeling Return After Breast Reconstruction?

The nerves to the skin are damaged when the breast tissue is removed. Over time, there is a possibility that this sensation can slowly reappear. Regaining sensation is different for every patient. While some patients regain their sensitivity, there is no guarantee that this will be the case for everyone.

How painful is delayed breast reconstruction?

Delayed breast reconstruction, which is performed months or even years after a mastectomy, can involve varying levels of pain, depending on the individual, the type of reconstruction procedure, and the patient’s overall health. Generally, the pain associated with delayed breast reconstruction tends to be manageable, but some discomfort is expected. While pain is part of the recovery process, many patients find the results of breast reconstruction significantly improve their quality of life and feel that the discomfort is worthwhile. Always consult with a surgeon for a more personalized assessment of pain expectations based on your specific reconstruction plan.

Is breast reconstruction covered by insurance?

Yes, breast reconstruction is typically covered by insurance, particularly in cases where it is medically necessary. In the United States, under the Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 (WHCRA), insurance plans that cover mastectomy must also cover breast reconstruction. This includes reconstruction following breast cancer surgery, such as mastectomy or partial mastectomy. Insurance coverage often includes: - Reconstructive surgery after mastectomy or other breast-related medical conditions. - The use of prosthetics or breast implants. - Reconstructive procedures that help restore symmetry after the removal of one or both breasts. However, coverage may vary depending on your specific insurance provider and plan. It's important to check with your insurance company to understand the details of coverage, including any pre-approval requirements, deductibles, co-pays, and the network of approved healthcare providers.

What do breasts look like after mastectomy and reconstruction?

After a mastectomy and breast reconstruction, the appearance of the breasts can vary depending on the type of surgery and individual factors. Here's a general overview: 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐲: 1. Before Reconstruction: After a mastectomy, the breast tissue is removed, and the chest may appear flat or slightly concave where the breast used to be. The skin of the chest may remain intact, but the breast mound is lost. 2. Scarring: There will typically be a horizontal scar along the chest where the breast tissue was removed, which may extend to the underarm area depending on the type of mastectomy (simple, radical, or nipple-sparing). 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 1. Implant-based Reconstruction: - An implant is used to create a new breast mound. The implant can be placed under the chest muscle or in front of it. The final breast may feel firmer and more "rounded" than a natural breast. - Scarring usually occurs along the mastectomy site, with additional scars where the implant was placed (either under the breast, along the lower fold, or around the nipple). 2. Flap-based Reconstruction (Autologous Reconstruction): - In this procedure, tissue from another part of the body (often the abdomen, back, or thighs) is used to recreate the breast mound. This method can provide more natural-feeling and looking breasts, as the tissue is your own. - The result is usually softer, with more natural curves, but there may be visible scarring at both the donor and breast areas.

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