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Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction restores the shape, appearance, and size of the breast after mastectomy using breast implants and/or your body’s own tissues.

Should You Undergo Breast Reconstruction?

A Very Personal Decision

Breast cancer is a challenging experience, both emotionally and physically. The decision to undergo breast reconstruction following mastectomy is extremely personal, as each woman has unique physical needs and aesthetic desires.

Life Changing Experience

Breast reconstruction can restore the shape, appearance, and size of the breast following mastectomy. For many women, it can be a life-changing experience.

 

Are You A Candidate?

Our Breast Enhancement Cosmetic Self Evaluation can help you decide if breast reconstruction is the right procedure for you.

 

TAKE OUR SELF EVALUATION

Overview

Renew Your Self Image

Breast reconstruction is a very personal and highly individualized procedure. For many woman, breast reconstruction is a physically and emotionally rewarding procedure that can improve your self-image, self-confidence, quality of life, and sense of femininity.

Restore Your Femininity

The goal of breast reconstruction is to create a natural looking, proportionate breast that restores a feminine contour and symmetry to the chest. Today, there are several options available for breast reconstruction using breast implants and/or your body’s own tissues.

 

Candidates

Every Woman Undergoing Breast Cancer Surgery Should Consider Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction can be a good option for you if:

  • You wish to restore your breast and body image following mastectomy
  • You do not have additional medical conditions or other illnesses that may impair healing
  • You are able to handle the physical and emotional rigors of your breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
  • You have a positive outlook and realistic goals

Breast reconstruction can restore the appearance of your breasts and enhance your self-confidence and feminity. Though surgery can give you a relatively natural-looking breast, a reconstructed breast will never look or feel exactly the same as the breast that was removed.

 

 

Procedure Steps

Know Your Options

Breast reconstruction typically involves several procedures performed in multiple stages. There are many different types of breast reconstruction procedures available. The best procedure for you depends on the type of surgery you’ve had on your breasts, characteristics of the breast cancer including its location and size, and your personal preferences. You should decide on reconstruction only after getting complete information about all of your alternatives.

Breast Reconstruction Can Begin at the Same Time As Mastectomy or After

The timing of breast reconstruction can begin at the same time as mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or be delayed until you heal from mastectomy and recover from any additional cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy (delayed reconstruction)

Surgery Options Include Using Implants and/or Your Body’s Own Tissues

  • Implant Based Reconstruction: Recreating the breast using silicone or saline implants is the most commonly used surgical approach in breast reconstruction today. The use of a breast implant for reconstruction frequently requires either tissue expansion of a flap technique to create sufficient tissue on the chest wall to cover and support a breast implant. A temporary inflatable implant called a tissue expander may be first placed and slowly filled in the office over several months to help expand the breast skin. If a temporary inflatable implant called a tissue expander is used, the expander is slowly filled in the office over several months, and a second surgical procedure is required to replace the expander with a long-term implant. If a flap technique is chosen, tissues taken from your own body are transplanted to the breast to assist with coverage of the implant.
  • Tissue Based Reconstruction: Fatty tissue, muscle, and/or skin taken from another area of your body such as the abdomen (TRAM flap, free TRAM flap, DIEP flap), back (latissimus dorsi flap), or buttock (SGAP flap) may be used to restore the breast shape. In some cases, tissue-based reconstruction may be combined with an implant as well.
  • Nipple Reconstruction: Three dimensional nipple reconstruction and/or tattooing provides the finishing touch for your breast reconstruction surgery.

Complementary Procedures Can Enhance The Results

The opposite unaffected breast may sometimes be contoured to enhance symmetry. Complementary procedures include breast reduction, breast lift, breast augmentation, and fat transfer.

Breast reconstruction is typically performed under general anesthesia. Some procedures may be performed on an outpatient basis, while others may require a hospital stay.

 

 

Recovery

Getting Back to Normal

Recovery from breast reconstruction varies from patient to patient depending on the extent of procedures performed.

You will be given specific instructions for medications, diet, activity, wound care, hygiene, and return to work after surgery.

 

 

Choosing A Surgeon

Breast reconstruction is a delicate procedure that requires a high degree of skill, experience, and artistry. You should choose a board certified plastic surgeon with a significant amount of experience with breast reconstruction, such as Dr. Fan.

 

Breast Reconstruction is Often Covered by Health Insurance

Breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer is considered a reconstruction procedure and should be covered by health insurance. However, your coverage may only provide a small part of the total fee.

Before & After Gallery: Restore Your True Beauty

Breast reconstruction can help restore the appearance of your chest following mastectomy.

 

See Your Results

Breast reconstruction can help restore the appearance of your chest following mastectomy.

VIEW GALLERY

Breast Reconstruction

Can I schedule my breast reconstruction at the same time as my mastectomy?

Possibly. Some women may prefer to begin the reconstructive process right away at the same time as the mastectomy, which is known as immediate breast reconstruction. You may be deemed an appropriate candidate for immediate breast reconstruction depending on Dr. Fan’s medical opinion as well as the size and type of your breast cancer.

I’m not sure about breast reconstruction yet. Is it a bad idea to wait a little longer?

Choosing the proper timing for breast reconstruction is a highly personal decision that depends on your breast cancer treatment, your anatomy, and your preference. Some women prefer to pursue reconstruction immediately at the same time as mastectomy, while others may wait months or even years after cancer treatment before considering reconstruction. There is no single best timing that works best for all women.

Are implants or tissue based reconstruction better?

There is no single best reconstruction technique that is inherently better than the other. Some women like the convenience of implant based reconstruction, while others prefer the natural feel of using their own tissue Dr. Fan is experienced with both forms of reconstruction and can help you make the decision best for you.

 

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Related Procedures

Breast Reduction

A breast reduction reduces the size and weight of large, heavy breasts that are out of proportion to the rest of the figure or causing isssues such as back pain.

Learn More About Breast Reduction

Breast Lift

A breast lift restores a youthful shape and lift to the breasts.

Learn More About Breast Lift

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a procedure that enhances the shape, size, and proportions of a woman’s breasts using implants.

Learn More About Breast Augmentation

VIEW ALL PROCEDURES
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Breast reconstruction is a delicate, advanced, and cutting edge procedure that requires a high degree of surgical skill, knowledge, and artistry. Dr. Fan is an expert at performing breast reconstruction and has successfully performed thousands of breast enhancement procedures. He is known for his beautiful and natural breast reconstruction results.

Why Dr. Larry Fan & 77 Plastic Surgery

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Larry Fan, MD

 
Dr. Larry Fan is an award winning, Harvard educated, and nationally recognized plastic surgeon. He is a progressive, compassionate thinker who is committed to achieving the highest levels of excellence and the very best aesthetic results. Dr. Fan is an expert facelift surgeon who is known for achieving natural beauty, never “overdone.”
Meet Dr. Fan
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Harvard Trained & One of America's Top Plastic Surgeons

Dr. Fan is known for his elegant sense of artistry and refined surgical skills. He will perform your surgery with expert, world-class execution and has the results to prov

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Exceptional Results & Award Winning Care

Dr. Fan and his team are committed to providing you with exceptional care, counseling, and support before, during, and after surgery. We take pride and joy in caring for you and have received numerous awards for our compassionate care.

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State-of-the-Art Office & Private Surgery Center

Come relax in our beautiful office and enjoy the comfort, safety, and privacy of our fully accredited onsite private surgery center.

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  • How to choose between The Needle and The Knife

This book was written by top plastic surgeon, Dr. Larry Fan.

 

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Ready to Take The Next Step?

Schedule your complimentary consultation with Dr. Fan here.

During your consultation, Dr. Fan will address your specific goals and treatment options. He will determine if you are a good candidate for treatment and review the results that can be realistically achieved. He will also help you determine which procedures may benefit you the most.

 

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