Autogenous breast reconstruction is the use of your own body's tissue to reconstruct the breast. This includes the TRAM (transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap), gluteal flap (gluteus maximus myocutaneous flap), latissimus dorsi flap, DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator flap), SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery flap) and GAP (gluteal artery perforator flap) techniques.

Implant reconstructions are typically shorter operations (1-2 hours) and do not prolong hospitalization. Autogenous reconstruction, specifically perforator flap reconstruction, typically takes 4-5 hours for a single reconstruction and 5-7 hours for a bilateral breast reconstruction. The hospital stay is 3-4 days for perforator flap reconstruction and may be slightly longer with TRAM flap procedures.

Make sure your surgeon explains all the potential risks of the surgery and makes you understand ways to minimize those risks. No. The vast majority of patients who have immediate breast reconstruction can start chemotherapy within a month of the surgery. This time frame is not significantly different to women who only have a mastectomy.

Since autogenous reconstruction uses your own body's tissue to reconstruct the breast, the tissue is there for life. You cannot reject it. It will change in volume as your normal weight fluctuations occur through life and often tends to improve in shape over time. The breast is reconstructed with fat, which is similar in density to breast tissue, thus the "feel" is similar to that of a normal breast. Implant reconstructions tend to require multiple operations prior to achieving the final result.

Breast reconstruction options should be discussed BEFORE surgery. Various options are based on the type and stage of the cancer you have, as well as your overall health. There are many options for reconstruction. Some use tissue from your own body, while others use a prosthesis or implant. Some can be performed at the time of your surgery, while others may need to performed at a later date.

Most women are candidates for some type of immediate breast reconstruction. Since reconstruction is an additional major surgery, women should be carefully evaluated to understand all the risks and benefits. Multiple studies have shown tremendous psychological benefits to women who have immediate breast reconstruction.

Women who desire to use their own tissue generally prefer the tram flap (abdomen) or a lat. dorsi flap (back) as a secondary choice. Using tissue expanders to stretch the skin for implant use is a simple option; however, implants do get firmer and harder with time.

Seek out plastic surgeons that have extensive experience in flap reconstruction. By using one's own tissue, skin and volume can be replaced to match shape, size and softness. Obtain a thorough plastic surgery consultation to evaluate all types of flap reconstruction; TRAM, VRAM (Verticle Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous flap) and microsurgical flaps. Even though these procedures are more extensive, their satisfaction to patients is very high in the long term. For more information, contact Dr.

Breast reconstruction has become one of the most rewarding surgical procedures performed today. Each year, many women become afflicted with breast cancer. Unfortunately for some, this disease leads to the removal of one or both breasts. However, advancements in breast reconstruction have allowed doctors to actually recreate a breast that is almost identical in look and feel of a natural breast.

Most commonly Dr. Rosenberg chooses to use the abdominal skin and fat in breast reconstruction. Many patients have sufficient excess abdominal tissue to reconstruct one or two breasts of adequate size. Abdominal fat closely mimics natural breast tissue and makes an excellent choice for autologous breast reconstruction. In some cases tissue from the gluteal area or back may be used if there is not enough tissue in the tummy area.

Breasts are the first object of attention of all newborn beings. Additionally, surgery on the breasts has been the focus of plastic surgeons since the advent of the specialty. The number of articles published on breast surgery far exceeds all other areas of cosmetic and plastic surgery. Indeed, there are numerous techniques that have evolved in breast reduction surgery since the late 1800's when breast reductions were initially performed.

Breast disease and connective tissue disease (CTD) were reported in some patients through 5 years after implantation in the R95 Study. Although there were 237 patients enrolled in the R95 Study, not every patient returned for each follow-up visit. Therefore, the percentage of patients with these events cannot be determined. Only the number of events can be reported. Without a comparison group of women with similar characteristics (such as age, race, etc.

Most women who had a mastectomy as a result of cancer are good candidates for breast reconstruction at TIA. The best candidates are those who seem to have eliminated the cancer through a mastectomy.

Generally the answer is no. Although it can be attempted and sometimes a satisfactory result obtained, the complications are high and end result is often aesthetically unpleasing and not durable.

There are two types of breast reconstruction. One is the use of implants which are silicone bags filled with salt water (saline) or silicone gel. The other is the use of the woman???s own tissue which is a flap of muscle and skin taken from another part of the body to create a breast mound. The two main flaps are the latissimus dorsi taken from the back below the shoulder and the trans rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap which is taken from the abdomen.

Breast reconstruction is a definite possibility following mastectomy. It is commonly started at the same time of the mastectomy especially when the surgery is done for DCIS, small cancers, and other benign lesions. It is possible with any mastectomy and needs to be discussed with your surgeon prior to beginning the cancer treatment process. It is usually done as a combined procedure with the breast cancer surgeon and a plastic reconstructive surgeon.

Microsurgery allows the movement of large amounts of tissue from one part of the body to another. It has revolutionized field of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and gives a skilled microsurgeon a much wider range of options than ever before possible. This makes it possible for a microsurgeon performing a perforator flap to transfer the abdominal skin and fat needed for a breast reconstruction without sacrificing the abdominal muscle.

The two main types of breast reconstruction available to most mastectomy patients are saline breast implants and muscle flap reconstruction. Implant surgery usually requires placing a tissue expander in the intended breast area beneath the skin and chest muscle until the skin is sufficiently stretched before a permanent implant may be placed. Muscle flap reconstruction involves using a patient’s own tissue to rebuild the contour of the breast.

The most common complication with breast implants is capsular contracture—the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten and squeezes down on the soft implant, causing the breast to feel hard. Capsular contracture may be treated with additional surgery to remove the scar tissue. Other less common complications from general surgery that may also occur during breast reconstruction include: bleeding, fluid collection, excessive scar tissue, infection, and problems with anesthesia.

Most women can undergo at least part of the breast reconstruction procedure at the same time as their mastectomy. Breast reconstruction can be done later as well. For some kinds of reconstruction, more than one surgery is needed. Different breast reconstruction procedures have various complications that need to be discussed before a decision is made. In many cases, a plastic surgeon can change the size of the breasts.

Breast reconstruction can take place at the same time as the mastectomy surgery (immediate reconstruction) or months or even years later (delayed reconstruction). Surgeons may use silicone or saline-filled implants, or tissue from other parts of your body, or a combination of both, to recreate a breast. If you are thinking about breast reconstruction, discuss your options with your doctor as you are planning your treatment.

YES. Federal law now protects a woman’s right to breast reconstruction, as well as any procedures necessary for the restoration of symmetry between the two breasts. Drs. Chang and Vander Kolk accept most insurances. Yes. Many of our patients travel from out-of-state and enjoy the accommodations provided at the Tremont Hotel (across the street from Mercy Medical Center) at special rates for our patients and their families.

The entire process of breast reconstruction can take up to 1 year. The reason that it can take so long is that reconstructing the breast mound (the first surgical step) with any method requires waiting for at least 3 months afterwards before performing the next step, a nipple reconstruction. For the tattoo pigments to be uniform in appearance, an additional several months of waiting is required after the nipple reconstruction to allow the scars to fade.

When possible, reconstructing a breast mound with nipple and areola is an important component of surgical cancer treatment. This completion surgery helps heal the body, mind and spirit following cancer treatment.

Breast reconstruction is surgery that recreates the breast after mastectomy. There are two main types of breast reconstruction available to most women after mastectomy: breast implants with saline or silicone, or muscle flap reconstruction. With implants, the implant is inserted underneath the skin and chest muscle. Muscle flap reconstruction involves using a woman's own tissue to rebuild a breast contour. Tissue may be taken from the back, stomach or buttocks.

No. Breast reconstruction can be done at the time of surgery or soon after. It is best to discuss this option with your surgeon in advance of breast cancer surgery. You will be referred to a plastic surgeon who can explain what is involved and what result you can anticipate. Reconstructive surgery, which is usually available in major medical centers, can be performed using either breast implants or your own tissue.

Breast reconstruction surgery is a very personal matter. Only you can decide who should and should not know you have had surgery. I recommend that you talk about surgery with at least one other person you know well. Your spouse or a good friend are obvious examples. You could also discuss surgery with a therapist or your family doctor. Unfortunately, even today many professional people are not well informed about breast reconstruction surgery.

In living tissue reconstructions, the reconstructed breast is made of the patient's natural tissue and therefore, there is no exposure to synthetic breast implants. Living tissue can also give a more natural breast shape and feel. However, living tissue reconstructions do require a longer operative procedure, hospital stay and recovery time.