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Today there are more breast reconstructive options available for patients than ever before. Each type of breast reconstruction has benefits and risks, and what may be the best approach for one patient may be less optimal for another. For this reason, Dr. Savalia offers his patients a menu of breast reconstruction options to meet their individual needs.
Reasons for breast reconstruction
Each patient ultimately has her own reasons for choosing breast reconstruction. Some of the most common are:
Each patient ultimately has her own reasons for choosing breast reconstruction. Some of the most common are:
- I need to feel whole again.
- I want to look as good as I feel.
- I want to feel sexy again.
- I want to look and feel great in clothes and swim suits
When is breast reconstruction performed?
Breast reconstruction can be done immediately following the mastectomy (while the patient is still under general anesthesia), or it can be done in a delayed or secondary fashion. Each patient is different and the decision to proceed with immediate or secondary breast reconstruction may be influenced by the type of tumor the patient has. Dr. Savalia has seen excellent results obtained with both immediate and secondary breast reconstructions.
How many operations are required for breast reconstruction?
A breast reconstruction is usually a sequence of operations that involve two or occasionally three stages. The first operation is usually the longest and most complicated part of the breast reconstruction sequence. The second and third stages are almost always done as an outpatient. These secondary procedures may include implant exchanges, revisions of the reconstructed breast, nipple reconstruction, and possibly surgery on the opposite breast to achieve symmetry. The timing of any subsequent procedures may be influenced by the need for chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
When examining breast reconstruction possibilities, what options are right for me?
The decision to proceed with breast reconstruction and determining what type of reconstruction to choose can be confusing and overwhelming. Dr. Savalia understands. Decisions about breast reconstruction are highly emotional, especially when you are facing the challenges of a recent cancer diagnosis. If breast reconstruction is desired, the first consideration is whether to have the reconstructive procedure immediately following the mastectomy or in a secondary fashion. In Dr. Savalia's Newport Beach practice, that decision is made by the breast surgeon in consultation with the plastic surgeon and the patient.
Once you have decided to proceed with breast reconstruction, the types of reconstruction that will be considered include:
- Breast expanders/implants
- A combination of implants with muscle or soft tissue flaps
- Muscle or soft tissue flaps alone
- Muscle or soft tissue flaps transferred using microsurgical techniques
What is nipple reconstruction?
If you choose to surgically reconstruct the nipple, there are several options. One common option is to use the skin of your reconstructed breast. Dr. Savalia can take a small flap of skin from the breast, and fashion it into a new nipple. Because the nerves aren¹t connected in the reconstructed breast, most women do not feel much pain with this surgery. Options to reconstruct the areola involve taking skin from a different part of the body and sewing it to the new nipple on the reconstructed breast. Another option is to reconstruct the nipple as described above and have the skin around it tattooed to a darker color to make an areola. Dr. Savalia can discuss which options are right for you.
Choosing to undergo breast reconstruction surgery a very personal decision. Dr. Savalia will make a recommendation in conjunction with your breast surgeon, and help you determine the option that is right for you.
For more information on breast reconstruction surgery, please call or email Dr. Savalia at our Orange County area plastic surgery office
Contact Dr. Savalia, Orange County Breast Reconstruction Surgeon
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