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All About Breast Reconstruction

By David Reid | Published on November 30, 2009 | 0 Comments

After completing his medical education at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Dr. David Reid went on to residencies at the Naval Medical Center and Walter Reid Medical Center before going into practice as a plastic surgeon in 1995. Now at New Dimensions Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in Belleville, Illinois, he helps all types of patients meet their cosmetic goals. In this article, he explains the ins and outs of breast reduction surgery.

Breast reconstruction is an option that offers patients a lot more choices now than ever in the past. Thanks to advances in medical technology, we can now do breast reconstruction procedures using either implants or a patient’s own body tissue—depending on each patient’s individual health issues and cosmetic goals.

For the most part, breast reconstruction surgery usually takes more than one procedure. Of course, this isn’t for every patient. We have two popular techniques that are used in the majority of the cases that I see—one is called a flap reconstruction and one is called a skin expansion.

With flap reconstruction, what happens is we can take the skin from a patient’s back area and move it to the breast. This is an option where saline or silicone implants are used to give the appearance of a fuller chest area.

With the skin expansion method, meanwhile, we can insert what is called an expander valve into the patient’s chest to gradually fill up over time. This allows for the natural expansion of the chest. During the second part of the skin expansion procedure, we will reconstruct the nipple and areola. And within a matter of weeks, a patient will be back on her feet, looking and feeling great.

Another option we have when it comes to breast reconstruction procedures is to use a patient’s own body tissue. This is a little less common, though, because it can turn into a huge operation.

A couple of major changes in the last five years have made reconstructions done with a patient’s own body tissue look better—and a lot more natural than what they looked like in the past. But even with that, this is an option that is a lot more challenging on the part of the surgeon and the patient. In comparison, it is far more common for me to do breast reconstruction operations using implants, instead of body tissue.

Breast reconstructions, when done right, can be life altering for women. Especially for those who have had a mastectomy due to breast cancer, reconstructing the breast during or immediately following the mastectomy procedure can be a  desirable option. Oftentimes for women with breast cancer, we can even work together with the patient’s oncologist and surgical team to create a plan that is going to give the patient the best possible outcome—both cosmetically and health-wise.

People often wonder just what the difference between a breast augmentation and a breast reconstruction really is, and whether having a mastectomy is a required precursor to a reconstruction. Obviously, breast reconstruction is an option that we use for women who may have lost their breasts due to breast cancer. However, it is also common for me to do breast reconstruction on women with congenital abnormalities, as well.

Any breast procedure severe in nature could be considered a reconstruction, especially if it is due to a congenital abnormality.  Now, if somebody has a small difference in the size of her two breasts, that might be a congenital abnormality. But it is not necessarily a big enough congenital abnormality to warrant a reconstruction operation. I say that because that is in the realm of “normal” for women as a whole. So the abnormality or difference between the two breasts must be out of the realm of “normal” to be considered a reconstruction rather than just an augmentation.

If someone has a more major—or pronounced—issue with the size of her two breasts being quite different, and that is an issue that has been caused by a congenital abnormality, then that is something I would consider a reconstruction operation as opposed to just an augmentation.

Insurance companies view the difference between an elective augmentation and a reconstruction in the same way as I do, by and large. They may not have the exact same policy in determining which procedures are and are not covered, though, which is why patients should speak to their insurance company specifically if they are confused. Coming in for a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon can also help a patient make the determination of just how necessary her breast reconstruction operation may actually be.

With all that said, though, while I do a fair number of reconstruction procedures on women with congenital abnormalities each year, it is far more common for me to do this operation as a follow up to a mastectomy for a woman who has had breast cancer. By far, the majority of the reconstruction cases I see are done as a way to restore a woman’s breasts after a mastectomy.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

Tags: breast reconstruction, breasts

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*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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