Breast Cancer Reconstruction

Most women are good candidates for breast reconstruction. If you are otherwise in good health, do not smoke, and are at a stable weight, breast reconstruction could be right for you. Studies have shown that even older women who are otherwise healthy do very well with this type of surgery.

Breast reconstruction may not be right for every woman who is treated for breast cancer. However, if you have received a cancer diagnosis and must undergo a mastectomy or lumpectomy, breast reconstruction can help improve your emotional health and wellness. Many studies have shown that breast cancer reconstruction increases patients’ quality of life. After going through the trauma of breast cancer treatment, reconstruction can help you feel confident in getting back to the things you love to do. Dr. Aycock will help you decide whether breast reconstruction is right for you and will work with you to determine which approach best matches your needs and lifestyle.

If you have a breast cancer diagnosis, then in most cases federal law requires your insurance company to cover reconstruction after a mastectomy as well as procedures to achieve symmetry on the opposite side. This applies even if your cancer surgery occurred in the past.

The timing of your breast reconstruction may be “immediate” or “delayed.” An immediate reconstruction is performed at the same time as the mastectomy, which can cut down on the number of surgery sessions and may preserve more of the original breast skin to reduce visible scarring. Delayed reconstruction may be performed months or even years after your cancer treatment, which may be necessary depending on the additional treatment required for your type of breast cancer or other medical issues. The appropriate timing for your breast reconstruction is a highly personal decision. Dr. Aycock will be happy to discuss with you all the relevant factors that will assist you in making your decision.

While the DIEP flap is a longer and more complicated surgery, the benefit is that your own tissue is used, so you will have a more natural result that will not need to be replaced in the future. As a bonus, the removal of skin and fat flattens and tightens the abdomen, which produces many of the same aesthetic benefits as a tummy tuck.

Breast reconstruction will always leave scars. Every effort is made to make the scars hidden if possible; however, the removal of breast cancer is always the number one priority. All patients will have a scar somewhere on or beneath the breast, and flap surgeries will also produce scars at the location from which tissue is moved. In the majority of cases, scars will initially be red or darkened but will typically fade over time.

There are many rumors about the safety of breast implants. Breast implants are one of the most studied medical devices in the world, and most scientific studies show that implants are very safe. There are only a few known risks associated with breast implants, and Dr. Aycock will extensively discuss all the risks and benefits that we know about so you can make an informed choice.