Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction has made great advances in recent years. There are many procedures which are commonly used in the United States today.

With the introduction of perforator flaps, plastic surgeons who are also skilled microsurgeons are no longer limited to breast reconstruction techniques involving tissue expanders and implants or significant muscle sacrifice.

Who is a candidate?

Every patient is unique and is taken care of individually. Regardless of history, every patient is a candidate to be considered for breast reconstruction. Please contact our office to begin the process of determining which procedure is most appropriate for you.

Procedures

We specialize in performing breast reconstruction using perforator flaps, such as the DIEP, SIEA and GAP flaps. The DIEP and SIEA flaps use the excess skin and fat from the abdomen which is usually removed with an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) to reconstruct the breast. Some patients are better candidates for perforator flaps such as the GAP flap, which is skin and fat from the buttock area.

These breast reconstructions closely recreate the look and feel of a natural breast while minimizing the chances for difficulties at the donor site. They do not require the sacrifice of a significant amount of muscle in the donor area.

Immediate or Delayed Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction may be performed at the same time as the mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or at a time after the initial mastectomy (delayed reconstruction). Immediate reconstruction often allows for greater preservation of skin around the breast. Reconstruction may be delayed for various reasons, including the need or likelihood of radiation therapy after the mastectomy.

Patients who have undergone previous breast procedures, including lumpectomy or even breast reconstruction using other procedures, such as tissue expanders and implants, may still be candidates for breast reconstruction using their own tissue and may greatly benefit from these procedures.

Insurance Coverage

Federal law and State laws require insurance companies to pay for all or part of the cost of breast reconstruction at any time after removal a patient’s breast tissue. This includes any surgery required on the opposite breast for symmetry.

Our staff are experienced in working with all major insurers for these procedures. We will work with you to keep your out-of-pocket expenses to an absolute minimum.