fat transfer breast reconstruction

September 23, 2014

Using Fat Transfer During Breast Reconstruction: The Beauty in Technique

Blog, Breast Reconstruction, Breast Surgery Atlanta acellular dermal matrix procedure, Atlanta DIEP flap, Atlanta latissimus dorsi flap procedure, Atlanta tissue flap reconstruction, Board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon atlanta, breast cancer patients, breast reconstruction procedures, breast reconstruction techniques, emerging technology in breast reconstruction, fat transfer Atlanta, fat transfer breast reconstruction, reduce potential risks in breast reconstruction

As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with over three decades of experience with breast reconstruction procedures, I fully understand that surgery is a unique and deeply personal experience for each and every individual. Breast cancer patients hold many options when it comes to their breast reconstruction journeys.

breast lift atlanta georgia mastopexy While some may elect to undergo breast reconstruction surgery immediately after breast cancer is removed, others choose to wait until another time following a mastectomy based on their overall treatment plan. There are a multitude of options for breast reconstruction surgery including tissue flap reconstruction, DIEP flap, latissimus dorsi flap, acellular dermal matrix, and fat transfer—a unique option from the others, though all are effective for the right patient.

Through years of refining my breast reconstruction techniques, I have found fat transfers to be beneficial in accomplishing and improving the ideal results of breast reconstruction. For example, let’s examine TRAM flap reconstruction, which uses skin, fat, blood vessels and muscle from the abdomen, back, thighs or buttock to replenish breast tissue that has been removed. Fat transfer can be used to supplement a TRAM flap procedure and other reconstructive options to provide smooth, natural-looking results. Fat transfers work by removing fat using liposuction on areas of the body such as the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs, then re-injecting into another area of the body once purified. Patients benefit from the combination of fat transfer and breast reconstruction because it requires less steps in the surgical process and reduces potential risks as the breast is composed of a patient’s own material.

I frequently travel to world-renowned plastic surgery conferences to learn about and discuss the latest breast reconstruction techniques and emerging technologies. I, along with many reconstructive surgeons, find fat transfers to be one of the most significant breast surgery advances in the past decade and recommend them to the appropriate patients. If you are interested in learning more about breast reconstruction options, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to schedule a consultation. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for the latest plastic and reconstructive surgery news and information.

September 24, 2013

Breast Reconstruction Options after Lumpectomy

Blog, Breast Reconstruction, Breast Surgery atlanta breast reconstruction, Atlanta breast surgeon, atlanta lumpectomy, autologous fat transfer, breast reconstruction, breast surgery after lumpectomy, breast tissue rearrangement, dents after lumpectomy, fat transfer breast reconstruction, fix asymmetrical breasts, mismatched breast size

In some cases, a patient may desire breast reconstruction after a lumpectomy.During a lumpectomy procedure, only a portion of the breast is removed at the location where cancer or abnormal tissue is located. For this reason, a lumpectomy is often referred to as breast-sparing or breast-conserving surgery. Lumpectomies are very important because they eliminate localized breast cancer cells before they can spread and help breast cancer patients maximize their chances of achieving remission. While lumpectomy procedures are less invasive than mastectomies, patients can be left with asymmetrical breasts, dents, or simply an undesired appearance. breast reconstruction atlanta georgia

Board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott performs breast reconstruction after lumpectomy using several different methods. For patients who have their desired breast volume, but are left with unequal breast size or noticeable dents after a lumpectomy are ideal candidates for breast reconstruction using autologous fat transfer. During autologous fat transfer, Dr. Elliott uses a patient’s own fatty tissue to rebuild and contour the breast. Most often, fat is obtained from the abdomen for the procedure using liposuction to remove semi-solid fat. However, fat can also be harvested from the thighs, buttocks, or other areas of unwanted fat to be purified and re-injected into the breast. Fat transfer for breast reconstruction creates a natural look and feel, restoring the appearance of the breast prior to the lumpectomy as much as possible.

For women with large breasts, breast reconstruction can be performed through local tissue rearrangement to restore a desirable appearance following cancer removal. Tissue rearrangement shifts natural tissue to where lumpectomy occurred. This method preserves natural breast function while rearranging remaining tissue to create a natural shape using a reduction or lift technique. To provide symmetry, a similar procedure may be performed on the other breast reducing it to match rearranged opposite breast. This relocation can either be done at the time of mastectomy or at a later date, depending on the patient’s preference and cancer treatment plan.

Dr. Elliott is passionate about breast reconstruction and often travels to discuss and teach fellow plastic surgeons the latest reconstruction techniques. Due to the highly complex nature of breast reconstruction, it’s important to find an experienced board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon you feel comfortable with. Contact us to make an appointment to have a consultation with Dr. Elliott and discuss your goals for breast reconstruction. Be sure to connect with Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google +.