What Is the Best Breast Reconstruction Option for Me?
Many women who undergo a mastectomy to treat breast cancer want to rebuild their breasts so they can feel like their best selves again. This blog discusses breast reconstruction with implants, tissue flaps, and fat transfer to help prospective patients learn more about their options.
4 Min Read:
Choosing Breast Reconstruction
For many women, breasts are a symbol of feminity and hold a lot of personal significance. A mastectomy can be a life-saving procedure for breast cancer patients or women who are at high risk of getting breast cancer. Yet, the removal of breast tissue causes physical and emotional changes that are often challenging to deal with. Fortunately, breast reconstruction surgery provides options for women looking to rebuild their breasts after a mastectomy.
Breast reconstruction is an incredibly personal procedure since every woman’s needs are unique. Dr. Robert Knowling understands the emotional impact that breasts can have and wants to help women restore their feminine contours and regain confidence.
Breast Reconstruction Options
Breast reconstruction can be performed using a variety of techniques, each with its own benefits. During a consultation with Dr. Knowling, patients will learn about the different options so they can make an informed decision about how they would like to proceed.
Breast Implants
Many people are familiar with breast implants being used for breast augmentation, but implants can also be a great option for breast reconstruction. For this option, a tissue expander is typically needed to prepare the chest skin to accommodate the implant. This is usually done in at least two separate procedures—one procedure to insert the tissue expander and another procedure to insert the implant after the skin has been adequately stretched. Silicone or saline breast implants may be selected, depending on the patient’s candidacy and preferences.
Some patients may be eligible to have their breast reconstruction performed at the same time as their mastectomy. Candidacy for performing these at the same time, also known as immediate reconstruction, can be discussed during the consultation.
Tissue Flap
For those who are not interested in implants and want a more natural approach, a tissue flap may be the ideal choice. Tissue flap breast reconstruction is performed by using the patient’s own tissue from other body areas (i.e., stomach, back, buttocks, thighs, etc.) and surgically reattaching the tissue to the chest to rebuild the shape of the breast. The result is a breast contour that looks and feels like a natural breast. Additionally, since the tissue flap is made from the patient’s own skin, it will also act like regular skin tissue and change in appearance as the body goes through weight fluctuations.
It is important to note that tissue flap breast reconstruction has a longer and more extensive recovery period compared to breast implants. This is because both the donor site and the newly reconstructed breast will need to recover, and there are two incision sites/scars that are healing.
Some patients may choose to combine tissue flaps with implants to increase the volume of the reconstructed breast while maintaining a natural look and feel.
Fat Transfer
Fat grafting to the breasts can be an excellent option for patients who don’t want implants but may want more volume than a tissue flap procedure can provide. During this procedure, excess fat is harvested from the patient’s area of choice (stomach, buttocks, thighs, etc.), and then the fat is cleaned and purified so it can be transferred to the chest to create a breast. Similar to the tissue flap procedure, fat transfer will require both the donor site and the reconstructed breast to heal during recovery.
Which Is the Best Option for Me?
The best breast reconstruction method will vary from patient to patient. During a consultation, Dr. Knowling will assess each patient’s medical history, potential treatment areas, and aesthetic goals. Considering all these factors, Dr. Knowling will work with the patient to determine which option is the best fit.
Learn More About Breast Reconstruction in Huntsville, AL
For those considering breast reconstruction, a consultation appointment with Dr. Knowling can help break down available options. To learn more about breast reconstruction in Huntsville, AL, or to schedule a consultation, call (256) 881-2220 or complete our online contact form.