Breast Reconstruction - Lakeview Plastic Surgery

3000 N. Halsted St., Suite 709, Chicago, Illinois 60657

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Restore Your Shape
after Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs in 1 out of every 8 women in the United States. Surgery to remove the cancer is almost always a part of a woman’s treatment plan, whether it is removal of the tumor alone (lumpectomy) or the entire breast (mastectomy). Sometimes, women have a genetic mutation (such as BRCA) that puts them at higher risk for developing breast cancer in their lifetime, and preventive surgery to remove the breast tissue is recommended.

For many women, reconstruction after breast cancer surgery is an important part of healing and recovery. Breast reconstruction helps restore shape, volume, and symmetry of the breasts so that a woman can feel balanced, wear clothing comfortably, and live life more easily after undergoing surgery.

There is no one-size-fits-all technique for breast reconstruction. Many options exist and varies depending on preference, cancer treatment plan, and overall health. Like so much in plastic surgery, each reconstruction is tailored to the individual to achieve the best possible result for that person.

IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION

For a woman undergoing complete removal of the breast gland (mastectomy), breast implants are used to restore the shape and volume of the entire breast. Implants come in many different shapes and sizes, so in most cases, there is one that will fit the new breast just right. Usually we can perform the reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy, called immediate reconstruction. This involves placing the breast implant in the space where the breast gland used to be and tailoring the skin (mastectomy flaps) around the implant to create the new breast shape. If a woman has bilateral mastectomy (both sides), reconstruction can usually be done on both sides at the same time.

Sometimes a tissue expander is placed first, to be followed by a later stage of surgery to exchange it for an implant. This may be recommended if a woman wishes to enlarge her breasts, or if extra skin must be removed for cancer treatment reasons.

LEARN MORE ABOUT IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION

TISSUE-BASED RECONSTRUCTION

Also known as autologous reconstruction, these techniques use a woman’s own tissues instead of (or in addition to) implants to restore the shape and volume of the breast. Common places to source this extra tissue include the lower abdomen (DIEP, TRAM flaps), the inner thighs (TUG flap), or the back (latissimus dorsi flap). These may be recommended if there is a strong desire to avoid breast implants, or if certain treatments (such as radiation) are employed that make implant reconstruction riskier.

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PARTIAL BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Sometimes a woman undergoes removal of just the breast tumor, preserving the remainder of the breast gland. If there is a risk of indentation or deformity after tumor removal, a partial reconstruction (oncoplasty) can ensure that the breast maintains a round, pleasing, albeit smaller shape.

BREAST REDUCTION AT THE TIME OF LUMPECTOMY

For women with a history of large, heavy breasts, surgery to remove breast cancer can be combined with a breast reduction to treat symptoms of neck, back, and shoulder pain. It is important to consider this option prior to undergoing cancer removal surgery and treatments like radiation therapy, to optimize healing and improve the results.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY

AESTHETIC FLAT CONTOURING

Some women forego reconstruction, preferring to instead go “flat and fabulous”. This is a great option for those who wish to minimize surgeries after mastectomy, and for those who don’t see breast reconstruction as part of their recovery journey. Dr. Shore works with the breast surgeon to create a smooth, flat chest contour after mastectomy, to minimize the formation of bulges and lumps that may be visible under clothing or make it difficult to fit comfortably into a postmastectomy bra.

GOLDILOCKS RECONSTRUCTION

This method of reconstruction combines the principles oncoplasty and aesthetic flat closure. After removal of the entire breast gland (mastectomy), the remaining skin and subcutaneous fat are reshaped to form a very small breast mound. It doesn’t restore a full breast, yet also doesn’t make the chest completely flat. It falls somewhere between the two, which I guess is why it is named “Goldilocks” – and for some women, this type of reconstruction is just right.

IMPLANTS AND YOUR HEALTH

As common as breast implants are, there is a lot of scary talk out there about breast implants, and whether they are safe devices to use.

The simple, straightforward answer is yes, breast implants are safe to use in the appropriate patients in cosmetic augmentation and in reconstruction. The FDA continually evaluates the devices’ safety, and when new concerns arise, it looks closely and comprehensively at research to make evidence-based recommendations for how and when to safely use breast implants.

Two important implant-associated conditions that are often discussed are BIA-ALCL and Breast Implant Illness. It is important to be aware of them before undergoing breast implant surgery. These conditions are reviewed during surgeon visits and in reviewing consent forms before surgery.

RESTORE AND MAKE WHOLE

Breast reconstruction can be the light at the end of the tunnel for many women undergoing breast cancer treatment. Helping to restore the shape after cancer surgery, whether it’s with implants or your own tissues, is an important part of healing for many women. Dr. Shore is here to help you understand your options and help see you through your reconstructive journey.

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