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Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day Sheds Light on Post-Mastectomy Options

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As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I have always felt strongly that every breast surgery patient should be thoroughly educated on all of the available options for treatment before committing to one. When it comes to breast reconstruction, a surgery that too frequently comes on the heels of a medically necessary mastectomy or lumpectomy, patients may be feeling particularly overwhelmed and unsure. It’s crucial that these patients are able to make an informed decision after having weighed each option against their needs and preferences.

Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day on October 15 is an excellent opportunity to review the options available to patients preparing to undergo breast reconstruction surgery. I have performed all of the available options on many patients over three-plus decades as a board-certified plastic surgeon and believe that while there is no “best” reconstruction procedure, some are more appropriate than others for certain patients. Below is a brief explanation of some of the most common breast reconstruction techniques. It is best and most understandable to divide them into two basic choices – using the patient’s own tissue to build a new breast or using an implant to build the breast. We will first discuss using the patient’s own tissue.

  • TRAM flap: The TRAM stands for transverse rectus abdominis, a lower abdominal muscle above the pubic bone. In this procedure, I use a ‘flap’ – the skin, fat, and occasionally a portion of the muscle – to reconstruct the breasts. The muscle is not removed, but instead “rerouted” to the chest wall as it is the blood supply to the transferred lower abdominal fat. This fat is then shaped into a new breast. The result is replacement of breast tissue with the patient’s own fat and a tightening of the lower tummy like a tummy tuck.
  • Free TRAM: This is a variation on the TRAM flap procedure; instead of being rerouted, the flap is actually detached and reconnected to the chest.
  • DIEP flap: Different from other flap techniques, a DIEP flap does not require the use of abdominal muscles and instead utilizes blood vessels called deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP) and the connecting fat and skin to reconstruct a breast. However, this operation takes significantly more operating time and has more risk for blood transfusions and flap loss.
  • Breast implants: Unlike flap procedures, which make use of a patient’s own tissue, breast implants are made from either silicone or saline and placed directly into the chest following a mastectomy.
  • Latissimus dorsi flap: I use skin, muscle, fat, and blood vessels from the upper back to help create a new breast. This procedure is usually combined with breast implants in order an appropriate shape and size to the new breast. The implant provided the volume to the new breast and the latissimus Doris muscle provides the coverage. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap can also be performed without leaving a scar on the back.
  • Supplemental fat transfer: Fat transfer during breast reconstruction is used to add volume to the new breasts and give them a more natural look and feel. Fat transfer is not necessarily part of reconstruction, however.

Each of these breast reconstruction options comes with its own set of advantages, disadvantages, potential risks, and possible benefits. I always encourage my patients to ask as many questions as necessary to help them feel confident and prepared to undergo surgery.

If you’ve recently undergone a mastectomy and are considering breast reconstruction, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to connect with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest breast surgery news and information.

 

 

Ask Dr. Elliott: How to Prevent Capsular Contracture

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Over decades of practice, I have performed over 2,000 breast augmentation procedures and developed my skills through continuous research and implementation of the latest plastic surgery technologies. However, with any surgery, regardless of whether or not you visit a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, there are inherent risks when introducing foreign objects into the body.

When you undergo breast augmentation, FDA-approved saline implants or silicone implants are positioned to enhance the appearance of the breasts. In rare cases, scar tissue can become tough and form tightly around saline or silicone breast implants over time in a condition known as capsular contracture. It’s important to note that breast implants themselves do not become hard, rather the scar tissue is what composes the hardness.  There are various ways to avoid capsular contracture, one of the most important being to choose an experienced surgeon who provides you with the proper post procedure care guidelines. Learn more in the following video.

We will continue to post new videos discussing various aspects of plastic and reconstructive surgery in the coming months. If you would like to schedule a consultation in order to have your questions answered personally for your needs, please contact us today. For more on breast reconstruction and other procedures, please visit my website and follow me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on  Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.

Ask Dr. Elliott: How Quickly Can I Return to My Regular Routine after Breast Augmentation?

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Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott has used breast implants in various procedures for over 25 years, mastering various surgeries that utilize them, including breast augmentation, breast lift, breast revision, and breast reconstruction. After surgery, Dr. Elliott is often asked how breast implants will affect daily routines and how soon normal activities can be resumed.Breast Augmentation Atlanta Alpharetta GA

The majority of people are very busy and consumed with work, exercise, play, or other interests. Fortunately, the breast augmentation operation is relatively straightforward. Low-impact activities, like driving, can usually be resumed within three days. In fact, you can expect to be doing about 80% of what you did prior to the operation in about three to four days. However, that does not mean you will want to go out and run (or do another high-impact exercise) immediately.

With regard to exercise, Dr. Elliott usually tells patients to begin with walking in shorter intervals, though longer walks should be able to resume within a week post-breast augmentation operation. Truly, it is the impact of the activity that needs to be considered. Generally, you will not want to engage in strenuous, high-impact activity for three weeks after surgery. However, some patients will be comfortable with it sooner, while other patients will want to wait up to six weeks. It is true that you may not want to bend or pick up any strenuous weight for a while.

So long as the pre- and post-operative instructions given are followed, most women will be able to resume activity normally, though taking the essential time to heal is vital to a healthy recovery that creates optimal plastic surgery results. When you allow yourself adequate recovery, the intricacies of the body will restore the breast and skin. As with any procedure, individual healing times can vary.

Overall, Dr. Elliott is very encouraging of patients who desire to get back to daily life and engage in activities that they normally do. Again, it is a key takeaway you should allot two to three days before beginning most normal activity on a continuous basis. Soon enough, you will be completely healed and ready to tackle your day-to-day with confidence!

For more information about breast procedures performed by Dr. Elliott please call our office today. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for all the latest information on breast research and technology.

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