Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction surgery: The next step in your journey 

For many people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, the journey doesn’t end after their surgery. It’s often a journey toward restoration and healing, both physically and emotionally. Breast reconstruction surgery is a deeply personal and meaningful part of that process.  

Breast reconstruction helps restore a woman’s breast shape and appearance after a mastectomy or a lumpectomy procedure to treat breast cancer. At Reid Health, our compassionate team of cancer and plastic surgery specialists is here to provide expert care and support you every step of the way. 

What is breast reconstruction surgery? 

Breast reconstruction surgery is a surgical procedure to rebuild the breast. The goal is to create a new shape similar in size to your original breast. A surgeon can reconstruct breast tissue using your own tissue from another part of your body, a breast implant, or a combination of tissue and an implant. Breast reconstruction can also be performed after a nipple sparing mastectomy, which allows you to retain your own nipple.

You might choose to have the surgery at the same time as your mastectomy from one of our general surgeons, who all belong to the American Society of Breast Surgeons. Or, you can work with our board-certified plastic surgeon after your cancer treatment is over. 

Benefits of breast reconstruction 

Breast reconstruction surgery is much more than a physical restoration — it’s a vital step in your healing journey after breast cancer. After treatment, you deserve to look as strong and beautiful as you feel. This surgery can help you regain your confidence, restore your body image, and bring a sense of closure and wholeness. Beyond the physical changes and greater comfort in clothing, it offers profound emotional healing, helping you embrace a renewed sense of normalcy and well-being. 

Who is a good candidate for breast reconstruction? 

Most people who have a mastectomy are good candidates for breast reconstruction surgery. Your plastic surgeon will work closely with the general surgeon who performed your mastectomy and your oncology team to determine if you are a candidate based on your overall health and breast cancer treatment plan.  

During your consultation, your surgeon will discuss the different types of breast reconstruction and help you choose the right option for you. They’ll also review the risks and benefits of each type so you can feel confident in your choice.  

Types of breast reconstruction

Surgeons use different techniques to perform breast reconstructions. The type of surgery you have depends on many factors, and your surgeon will help you understand each option. 

Implant-based reconstruction

This type of reconstruction uses a breast implant to create a new breast shape. It’s typically a two-stage process. First, your surgeon inserts a tissue expander, which is a temporary balloon-like implant, to stretch the chest skin and breast tissue over several months. Once the skin is stretched enough, you’ll have a second procedure to replace the tissue expander with a permanent breast implant. 

Flap-based reconstruction  

Also known as autologous reconstruction, this method uses fat, skin, and blood vessels from another part of your body to reconstruct the breast. Most often, surgeons use tissue from the abdomen (belly), back, or buttocks and carefully transplant it to the chest.  

With flap-based reconstruction, the breast might feel more natural than an implant. The tissue also ages with the rest of the body.  

Some of the most common breast reconstruction techniques include:

• Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap: This is the most common flap procedure. Your plastic surgeon takes a section of skin, fat, and blood vessels from the lower abdomen and moves it to the chest. Importantly, the abdominal muscles are spared during this procedure, which can lead to a faster recovery and less risk of abdominal weakness or hernia.
• Transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap: This procedure also reconstructs the breast using skin, fat, and blood vessels from the abdomen, but it removes a portion of the abdominal muscle along with the skin and fat. Because the muscle is removed, recovery might be longer.  
• Latissimus dorsi flap: This flap technique uses muscle, skin, and fat from the upper back (the latissimus dorsi muscle) to reconstruct the breast.  

If you did not have a nipple-sparing mastectomy, your plastic surgeon will also discuss nipple reconstruction, which can be done with a small skin graft or permanent tattooing.  

Recovery

Breast reconstruction is a major surgery, and recovery is a process that requires time and patience. You’ll have the support of your Reid Health plastic surgery and oncology teams, who will prepare you for postsurgical discharge plan well in advance so you know what to expect. Your plan will include instructions for exercise and activity to ensure a safe and smooth process.

Some swelling and bruising is natural after breast reconstruction, and you might have surgical drains in place for several weeks. Surgical drains are small, flexible tubes placed near the surgical site to help remove excess fluid and blood that can accumulate after surgery.  

The length of your hospital stay and your total recovery time depend on the type of reconstruction. Flap-based surgeries typically require a longer initial recovery period than implant-based surgeries.  

Why choose Reid Health?

At Reid Health, our plastic surgeons are highly skilled and have extensive experience in all breast reconstruction techniques. We work closely with our general surgeons, who are members of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and our oncology providers. As a result, your entire care team is specially trained to manage your care. Your team is committed to your safety, comfort, and providing the highest quality of care right here in your community, so you can focus on healing and moving forward.