Breast Reconstruction

Sandpoint, Hayden, Coeur d’Alene and North Idaho

 

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy, lumpectomy and/or radiation therapy can be an important part of your recovery process. Restoring your appearance can improve self-confidence and help you to feel whole and feminine again. I believe that your state-of-mind and emotional health have an enormous impact on your physical health.

Breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after your treatment (at the time of mastectomy) or at a later date as a separate procedure, called delayed reconstruction. Many women begin investigating and planning reconstruction as soon as they are diagnosed with breast cancer. While it may be too much to think abut at first, many women find that this focus on healing improves their overall outlook and recovery. Immediate reconstruction means that you never have to experience the full impact of losing your breast. However, you should never feel pressured to move too fast while you consider all the options available to you. Your options will also depend on your diagnosis and treatment plan, if you need or have had radiation therapy, your body mass, breast size and smoking history. Operations are often required on your opposite healthy breast to obtain a symmetric result. The most important part of this stressful time in your life is to have your condition treated appropriately by your doctors, and then we will focus on achieving the best cosmetic outcome possible.

Implants and expanders

Expanders are saline filled implants that temporarily expand the healthy skin to later accommodate an implant. The expander is like a balloon. It is inserted under the skin and filled with salt water at intervals over a few weeks or months, to gradually stretch the skin. This is important to ensure healthy, viable tissue which will soon cover the permanent implant. Most expanders are replaced with an implant at a second surgery. Others are designed to work both as the expander and the permanent implant.

Pedicled or free flap

Your breast can be reconstructed with tissue from your own body. This is called flap reconstruction. A pedicled flap is tunneled under the skin to the breast area. The blood vessels remain intact and connected to the donor site. A free flap is completely removed from the donor site with its artery and vein which are reattached at the breast site under magnification.

Both types of flap surgery provide a blood supply to the transplanted tissue to keep it healthy and alive.

Donor sites

When your own tissue is used to reconstruct you breast in flap surgery, the area from which it is removed is called the donor site. Common flap surgeries include:

• TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous) –
  from the lower abdomen
• Latissimus dorsi flap –
  removed from the back, near the scapula

Both types can be used to create a pedicled or free flap. The transplanted tissue may be used to rebuild the breast mound or to support and cover an implant.

If your nipple and areola have been removed as part of the initial surgery, it will be necessary to recreate these structures as well as the breast mound. This is usually the last part of the reconstructive process. Often, I can create a nipple in the office under local anesthesia using your own tissue, and the darker areolar tissue is then tattooed in.

Other breast procedures

Breast reconstruction is not the only reason that you may be seeking breast surgery. With corrective breast surgery, I can improve the appearance of breast asymmetry, inverted or enlarged nipples, congenital defects, and problems caused by previous breast surgeries. You can learn more by reading our Corrective Breast Surgery page.

Dr. Michelle Spring provides surgical expertise and exceptional patient care in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in Sandpoint, Ponderay, and all of Northern Idaho. With extensive training in breast surgery, body contouring, and facial surgery, she offers cosmetic procedures with an emphasis on natural results, safety and personal attention to your individual goals. If you are considering cosmetic surgery, learn more by viewing our Plastic Surgery Photo Gallery or FAQ's page, and contact Dr. Spring today to schedule your breast reconstruction consultation.

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