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BREAST CANCER RECONSTRUCTION

WHY

As part of my global mission to educate, inspire and connect, I wanted to provide a beautiful website for women to go to when dealing with all aspects of breast cancer including reconstruction. Whether you are a previvor or a survivor, this part of the journey can be very overwhelming. The only option that was presented to me was implants. I was unaware of all the reconstruction options available to me including aesthetic flat closure and DIEP flap. None of this information was part of my journey, so I wanted to make sure it was part of yours!

This page is dedicated to every woman facing this difficult decision to empower them with information to discuss with their doctors. As part of this special page, I am honored to work with Dr. Ron Israeli, Plastic Surgeon, to help with key questions you might have when considering your reconstruction options. I hope you find this page to be a beautiful resource to help guide you with questions and information that make this part of your journey a little easier.

XXOO, Cynthia

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION OPTIONS

Several types of reconstructive surgery are available, and sometimes the process means more than one operation. Give yourself plenty of time to make the best decision for you. You should make your decision about breast reconstruction only after you are fully informed.”
Learn more

Aesthetic Flat Closure

A type of surgery that is done to rebuild the shape of the chest wall after one or both breasts are removed. An aesthetic flat closure may also be done after removal of a breast implant that was used to restore breast shape. During an aesthetic flat closure, extra skin, fat, and other tissue in the breast area are removed. The remaining tissue is then tightened and smoothed out so that the chest wall appears flat.

To learn more and meet women all over the world who are flat visit the Global Flatties page under the INSPIRE tab.

Learn more

Breast Reconstruction Using your Own Tissues
(Flap Procedures)

These procedures use tissue from other parts of your body, such as your tummy, back, thighs, or buttocks to rebuild the breast shape. Tissue flaps generally look more natural and behave more like natural breast tissue than breast implants.

Learn more

TRAM flap

The TRAM flap procedure uses tissue and muscle from the tummy. Sometimes an implant is used with this type of flap, but some women have enough tissue in this area to shape the breast so that an implant isn’t needed. The skin, fat, blood vessels, and at least one abdominal muscle are moved from the belly to the chest. Learn more
DIEP flap

The DIEP flap uses fat and skin from the same area as the TRAM flap but does not use the muscle to form the breast shape. This method uses a free flap, meaning that the tissue is completely cut free from the tummy and then moved to the chest. Learn more

Latissimus dorsi flap
The latissimus dorsi flap is often used with a breast implant. For this procedure, the surgeon tunnels muscle, fat, skin, and blood vessels from your upper back, under the skin to the front of the chest. This provides added coverage over an implant and makes a more natural-looking breast than just an implant alone. This type of reconstruction can sometimes be used without an implant. Learn more
Gluteal free flap (GAP flap)
The gluteal free flap or GAP flap uses tissue from the buttocks to create the breast shape. The gluteal free flap might be an option for women who cannot or do not wish to use the tummy sites due to thinness, previous incisions, failed tummy flap, or other reasons, but it’s not offered at all surgical centers. This method is much like the free TRAM flap mentioned above, except no muscle is taken. Learn more
Inner thigh or TUG flap
A newer option for women who can’t or don’t want to use TRAM or DIEP flaps is a surgery that uses muscle and fatty tissue from along the bottom fold of the buttock extending to the inner thigh. This is called the transverse upper gracilis flap or TUG flap, and it’s only done in some medical centers. The skin, muscle, and blood vessels are cut out and moved to the chest, and the tiny blood vessels are connected to their new blood supply. Learn more
Fat grafting
A newer technique can take a person’s fat from one part of the body (buttocks, thighs, or abdomen) and transfer it to the reconstructed breast to help fix any shape abnormalities that may be seen after the initial breast reconstruction surgery is done. The fat is obtained by liposuction, cleaned and then dissolved so it can be injected easily into the areas it is needed. Learn more
LTP Flap Breast Reconstruction

The lateral thigh perforator (LTP) flap uses skin and fat from the side of the upper thigh to reconstruct the breast. Learn more

TAP (TDAP) Flap Breast Reconstruction

The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP or TDAP) flap uses skin and fat from the side of the chest and back while preserving the underlying latissimus muscle. Learn more

TUG/PAP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Transverse upper gracilis (TUG) and profunda artery perforator (PAP) flaps use skin and fat from the inner thigh to reconstruct the breast. Learn more

Breast Reconstruction Using Implants

What types of implants are used for breast reconstruction?

Several different types of breast implants can be used to rebuild the breast.
Implants are made of a flexible silicone outer shell, and can contain:

Saline: These implants are filled with sterile (germ-free) salt water. These types of implants have been used the longest.
Silicone gel: Gel implants tend to feel a bit more like natural breast tissue.

Cohesive gel implants are a newer, thicker type of silicone implant. The thickest ones are sometimes called “gummy bear” implants. They are more accurately called form-stable implants, meaning that they keep their shape even if the shell is cut or broken. They are firmer than regular implants and might be less likely to rupture (break), although this still might happen. Learn more

An implant is placed at the time of mastectomy potentially allowing mastectomy and breast reconstruction to be completed in a single operation. For more information on Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction.
This is a staged approach where a tissue expander is placed at the time of mastectomy. The expander is then replaced with a final breast implant during a second stage procedure. For more information on Expander Implant.
With prepectoral reconstruction the breast implant is placed over the pectoralis muscle. This is a more natural position as compared to implant placement under the muscle. For more information on Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction.

Additional Options to Consider

If you choose to have nipple reconstruction, there are a variety of techniques. Most procedures involve using the skin of your breast reconstruction, such as the procedures shown below. Another option is to take a portion of natural nipple from your other breast and graft it to the reconstructed breast. Learn more
The areola (the colored portion around the nipple) is most often recreated with a tattoo. The illusion of a nipple can also be created by having a tattoo made with a central region that is darker than the rest. There are a variety of available flesh tone colors to create a natural-appearing areola. Areolar tattooing is usually painless and can be performed in an office setting. Most tattoos will fade as much as 40% over time and may need to be reapplied after a few years. Another option is to use a graft of skin from another location of the body, usually your inner thigh or waist. Learn more

Healing Through Art. Tattoos can be an important component of healing for many women following their mastectomy surgery – both those who chose to reconstruct their breasts AND those who chose to go flat. Tattooing can be a way for women to take back ownership over their bodies, having had so little control during breast cancer treatment.

Restorative vs. Decorative. For some, tattoos can restore the appearance of their lost nipple/areola. Others choose mastectomy tattoos that are decorative (also called artistic, or “scar covering”) rather than anatomic, and that hold special meaning for them – flowers, vines, words, and designs of every shape and color. Learn more

Your Questions Answered
Ron Israeli, MD
Plastic Surgeon, NY
“Learn Look Locate provides fantastic tools and resources to put patients in control from day one. The organization’s emphasis on understanding early breast cancer risk creates a pathway for patients to use the information to make informed decisions. Patients who know more do not just make better choices—they are more confident in those choices. That confidence does wonders in terms of recovery.”

Patients often believe breast reconstruction can be achieved in one surgery. The truth is that the nature of breast reconstruction typically requires more than one operation to provide the best possible outcome.

The number of procedures is variable depending on quality of the mastectomy, type of reconstruction chosen, and individual patient expectations. It is not unusual for patients to decide to have two or three secondary revision procedures after their initial breast reconstruction has healed.

During the second stages of breast reconstruction, I will have the opportunity to finalize the breast shape, enhancing the quality of the aesthetic appearance created during the initial operation. If needed, nipple reconstruction is accomplished at the time of any secondary revision surgery. Most staged revision procedures are done as outpatient surgery with an easier recovery than the original mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

I provide an individualized approach for every patient, offering the full range of immediate and secondary breast reconstruction options, customized to the needs of every patient.

The decision regarding nipple-sparing mastectomy is coordinated by your breast surgeon and your plastic surgeon.

Breast surgeons follow specific criteria that take factors such as tumor size and distance from the nipple into consideration.

Plastic surgeons also have criteria that they take into account, such as breast size, nipple areola position and the type of reconstruction planned. From a plastic surgery perspective, it is more challenging to preserve the nipple at the time of mastectomy in women with larger breasts, and women with breasts that are lower on their chest. In these situations, preserving the nipple may require a staged approach, beginning with a breast lift or breast reduction before proceeding with mastectomy and reconstruction.

Many women are good candidates for nipple-sparing mastectomy, particularly those facing risk-reducing surgery. Shared decision-making between the patient, the breast surgeon, and the plastic surgeon is needed to guide this decision.

Yes.

The Federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 mandates insurance coverage for any breast surgery, even when multiple procedures are needed.

This means that any surgery on the side of the lumpectomy or on the opposite healthy breast is covered by insurance, including breast enlargement with an implant, breast lift surgery, and breast reduction.

This also applies for women who had mastectomy on one side. When one breast is removed and reconstructed, surgery for the healthy breast is often required for symmetry.

For women with breast cancer, surgery to improve breast shape or breast symmetry is not considered cosmetic surgery. Even if the surgery is done to improve the contour of a healthy breast.

The decision for the type of surgery desired is made by the patient and her plastic surgeon, not by the insurance company.

Not every woman who has a mastectomy chooses typical breast reconstruction. Women who decide not to undergo a breast reconstruction procedure still have options to improve the appearance of their chest wall.

When not approached aesthetically, mastectomy closure often leaves excess skin and tissue, potentially creating contour deformities. Aesthetic Flat Closure is a surgical procedure that removes or rearranges excess breast skin and fat after a mastectomy to produce a smooth, flat chest wall contour. This can be done at the time of mastectomy or at a second stage. If needed, revision procedures such as fat grafting can further contribute to the best possible outcome.

Times are ever changing in the breast cancer world. In an effort to be more inclusive, The National Cancer Institute now includes Aesthetic Flat Closure in its dictionary of terms. This is exciting because it increases awareness regarding all of the options available to patients for their post-mastectomy bodies. In addition, recognition by the NCI can help in educating surgeons so they include this option in their discussion with patients.

Aesthetic Flat Closure IS a type of reconstruction and is a very powerful choice that deserves just as much care and respect as any other reconstructive surgery.

During breast reconstruction with implants, the implants can either be placed under the muscle (UTM) or over the muscle (OTM). Your plastic surgeon can help you decide which is better for you.

In the past, the standard approach to implant breast reconstruction required that implants be placed UTM.

Today, placing implants OTM is always preferred in my practice. But this can only be done if the quality of breast skin is sufficiently good after mastectomy. Sometimes, to prevent problems with healing, plastic surgeons have no choice but to place the implants UTM at the time of mastectomy.

The problem is that many patients with implants UTM have a feeling of tightness and develop animation or unnatural movement of their implants, particularly when they are active.

I now routinely perform corrective surgery to address these problems. To move an implant from UTM to OTM, the implant is removed and the pectoralis muscle is reattached to the chest wall where it belongs. The implant is then placed in a more natural position OTM. After this surgery, patients have much less tightness and their implant animation is resolved. 

If you are planning risk-reducing mastectomies and breast reconstruction, you should take the time needed to assemble your team.

It is important to remember that the quality of your reconstruction is only as good as the quality of your mastectomy.

The plastic surgeon who is an expert in breast reconstruction will know who the best breast surgeons are in your community and which breast surgeons provide the best quality mastectomy.

Make sure to allow your plastic surgeon to guide you early in the process of your decision making. Seeing the plastic surgeon who is expert in breast reconstruction first can help you determine your choice of breast surgeon.

Any plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction should be experienced in the most advanced microsurgery techniques and should offer implant and natural-tissue options. They can help you determine which approach to mastectomy is best for you. This will not only depend on your breast size and breast shape, but on your desires and expectations.

It is never an easy task to make big surgical decisions related to risk-reducing mastectomy and breast reconstruction, especially when there is an overwhelming amount of information presented to you by doctors, family, and friends. But your first decision should be easy – see your plastic surgeon first, or at least make sure that a plastic surgeon participates in your decision making very early in the process.

After implant reconstruction you will wake up with a post-surgical bra that offers compression and a place for drains to hang (if applicable). It is important to keep the chest supported and compressed to keep swelling down and allow healing. 

Since something needs to be worn for 4-6 weeks around the clock my patients tell me they find comfort in sports bras (with zippers recommended as it may be hard to get one over your head).

Sensation after mastectomy can potentially be improved by reconnecting nerves that were cut during mastectomy to nerves that go to a flap during natural-tissue breast reconstruction.

While sensation lost after mastectomy can improve over time, reattaching these nerves can increase the amount of sensation that returns.

Natural-tissue flaps from the lower abdomen and thighs have nerves that can be identified and connected using nerve allografts to nerves that were cut at the time of mastectomy. With the help of an operating microscope, I now do this routinely at the time of natural-tissue breast reconstruction.

We now also offer nerve graft procedures using nerve grafts to reconnect nerves to the nipple areola at the time of implant reconstruction. In this way, when implant reconstruction is done simultaneously with nipple sparing mastectomy, the nerves to the breast can be preserved and attached to nerve endings under the nipple.

As with any other breast reconstruction option, the decision between tissue expander reconstruction and direct-to-implant reconstruction is shared between the patient, her plastic surgeon, and her breast surgeon.

From my perspective, whenever possible, the direct-to-implant approach is preferred. This allows us to avoid the expansion process. Also, after direct-to-implant reconstruction we are still able to do a second stage revision surgery if desired.

Before surgery, the decision between tissue expander and direct-to-implant approaches depends on individual patient expectations regarding breast size. For patients who want a final breast reconstruction larger than their original breast size, tissue expander reconstruction is generally preferred. Otherwise, if there is sufficient healthy breast skin to support an implant, the direct-to-implant approach is ideal.

In direct-to-implant cases I always have tissue expanders available in case the breast skin immediately following the mastectomy is not sufficient or healthy enough to support the final implant. This is a judgment call that is made in the operating room at the time of surgery.

In the overwhelming majority of patients, I am able to predict before surgery if they are better candidates for tissue expander reconstruction or the direct-to-implant approach.

It would be easy for me as a surgeon to give you the medical answer to this question. However, since I can’t speak from personal experience, I asked a patient this question and this was her response:

“YES! Implants feel much different than expanders.

Expanders are hard and at times painful to the touch, especially around the port. They don’t really move at all and they don’t feel natural. There is also the feeling of having your chest bound at all times, even when not wearing a bra. Fortunately, the expanders are only temporary.

Implants feel lighter, softer and look more natural than expanders. I found that they aren’t as heavy as my expanders were, and over time the tightness in my chest eased a little. For me, it took about 4-6 months for the implants to feel like they are more part of my body versus “accessories”. Of course, they will never feel like my natural breasts, but they are much easier to dress, workout with and sleep with comfortably.”

Breast implant profile refers to how far off the chest wall the implant will extend. It is important to understand that for any given implant volume, the higher the profile, the narrower the implant.

All implant manufacturers offer a variety of implant profiles. For example, Natrelle offers five profile options. Low profile projects the least and is the widest option. Extra Full profile is the highest projection implant and is the narrowest option for any given volume. In between these options we have Low Plus, Moderate, and Full profile options.

Following mastectomy, low profile implants are typically used for women that are not looking for larger breasts. Moderate offers more projection while the Full or Extra Full profiles are the most dramatic.

Deciding what profile implant is right for you is based on the look you want and your anatomy. Every woman’s body is different. It’s my job to understand my patients’ expectations and to make sure that they align with what is possible based on their anatomy. As with most breast reconstruction decisions, this is one that is shared between the patient and her surgeon.

After DIEP flap breast reconstruction, a woman should be able to have a normal pregnancy and delivery.

With DIEP flap surgery, the muscles of the abdominal wall are preserved. Even though skin is removed, pregnancy is not a problem because the abdomen expands slowly over a period of months.

I have had patients go on to have normal pregnancies following DIEP flap surgery. This issue most commonly comes up when I see young women with genetic mutations who are pre-disposed to breast cancer. As they plan their future, the question regarding pregnancy comes up as it relates to their breast reconstruction. The choice of type of reconstruction should not be affected by the decision to have a pregnancy.

Women preparing for mastectomy usually have an idea as to what size they want for their reconstructed breasts. Sometimes patients will tell me that they want a specific size and shape implant because that’s the size or shape that a friend of theirs might have. Unfortunately, choosing an implant is not so easy.

People come in many different sizes and different shapes. That’s why breast implants come in multiple different sizes and variety of different profiles.

It’s important to understand that every implant size and implant profile does not look the same in every patient. For example, the same implant will look completely different in a woman with a narrow chest as compared to a woman with a wider chest.

For women having breast reconstruction after mastectomy, choice of implant type (gel vs. saline), implant degree of cohesivity, implant profile, and implant volume must be customized to allow for the best possible outcome. While the choice of implant size and profile can be predicted to some extent before surgery, the final implant choice is frequently a game-time decision during surgery.

Since 1997, I have done thousands of breast reconstruction procedures in my practice. For implant breast reconstruction, my experience has been with Natrelle and Mentor implants. Taking patient expectations into consideration, I am able to rely on my experience when choosing implant type, size, and profile.

When a mastectomy and breast reconstruction are completed, breast tissue is elevated off of the muscle on the chest and separated from the overlying breast skin. This type of surgery leaves behind raw surfaces that cause your body to create fluid. This fluid is called serous fluid and is a normal part of your body’s healing process.

If this serous fluid accumulates under the skin, there is an added risk of infection and poor wound healing. Placing a drain prevents fluid from accumulating after mastectomy surgery and thereby expedites healing and recovery.

Drains are needed for both implant reconstruction surgery and natural tissue flap breast reconstruction. Drains may also be needed for major breast revision reconstruction procedures, but only if a new raw surface is created under the breast skin during surgery. Minor breast revision procedures and those where no new planes are created typically do not require drain placement.

My preferred type of drain is a round silicone tube with channels that drain the fluid into a bulb. This type of drain easily slips out when it is removed, with minimal discomfort. In addition, channel drains are less likely to get clogged or have other problems as compared to other types of drains.

For the answer to this question, I asked Nicole Rizzuto, our resident tattoo artist to chime in. The following is her answer:

All tattoo patients should wait at least 6 months from any breast or nipple reconstruction procedure to be safely tattooed. During that time, skin is still in the healing phase and not fully stable to handle the stress of a tattoo procedure.

Flaking, redness, and shiny areas are indications of early, newly compromised skin. In cases where tattoos were performed too soon, I have seen problems such as increased capillary bleeding, skin tears, and bruising. This can result in scar tissue and poor pigment retention potentially requiring more sessions to correct the tattoo. In many cases this kind of problem can be avoided by allowing sufficient time for healing before proceeding with nipple tattoo.

To see how incredible Nicole’s 3-D nipple tattoos, make sure you check her out on Instagram @nmr_medical_tattoo

Women frequently ask how many years after implant breast reconstruction they need to change their implants. The answer is that there is no preset time.

In the years after mastectomy and implant reconstruction, it is important to continue to be monitored by your doctors. Your plastic surgeon can tell you how frequently you need to be followed with regards to your breast implants. Whether they are saline or silicone, if you are not having any problems with your breast reconstruction, and you are comfortable with your implants, you shouldn’t need to change your implants.

The risk of implant problems increases over time. If there is a leak in the outer shell of an implant, then the implant should be changed. If a saline implant has a leak, the implant volume deflates, making it relatively easy to diagnose. On the other hand, a silicone gel implant leak might require a breast MRI to be diagnosed. Leaky or otherwise problematic implants can usually be changed as an outpatient procedure without a difficult recovery.

This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

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TUG/PAP Flap Breast Reconstruction

Transverse upper gracilis (TUG) and profunda artery perforator (PAP) flaps use skin and fat from the inner thigh to reconstruct the breast. For more information on TUG/PAP Flap Breast Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.

Can I get pregnant after having DIEP flap breast reconstruction?

After DIEP flap breast reconstruction, a woman should be able to have a normal pregnancy and delivery.

With DIEP flap surgery, the muscles of the abdominal wall are preserved. Even though skin is removed, pregnancy is not a problem because the abdomen expands slowly over a period of months.

I have had patients go on to have normal pregnancies following DIEP flap surgery. This issue most commonly comes up when I see young women with genetic mutations who are pre-disposed to breast cancer. As they plan their future, the question regarding pregnancy comes up as it relates to their breast reconstruction. The choice of type of reconstruction should not be affected by the decision to have a pregnancy.

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

How many operations will I need to complete my breast reconstruction?

Patients often believe breast reconstruction can be achieved in one surgery. The truth is that the nature of breast reconstruction typically requires more than one operation to provide the best possible outcome.

The number of procedures is variable depending on quality of the mastectomy, type of reconstruction chosen, and individual patient expectations. It is not unusual for patients to decide to have two or three secondary revision procedures after their initial breast reconstruction has healed.

During the second stages of breast reconstruction, I will have the opportunity to finalize the breast shape, enhancing the quality of the aesthetic appearance created during the initial operation. If needed, nipple reconstruction is accomplished at the time of any secondary revision surgery. Most staged revision procedures are done as outpatient surgery with an easier recovery than the original mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

I provide an individualized approach for every patient, offering the full range of immediate and secondary breast reconstruction options, customized to the needs of every patient.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

If I am having a mastectomy, how do I know if the surgeon can keep my nipples?

The decision regarding nipple-sparing mastectomy is coordinated by your breast surgeon and your plastic surgeon.

Breast surgeons follow specific criteria that take factors such as tumor size and distance from the nipple into consideration.

Plastic surgeons also have criteria that they take into account, such as breast size, nipple areola position and the type of reconstruction planned. From a plastic surgery perspective, it is more challenging to preserve the nipple at the time of mastectomy in women with larger breasts, and women with breasts that are lower on their chest. In these situations, preserving the nipple may require a staged approach, beginning with a breast lift or breast reduction before proceeding with mastectomy and reconstruction.

Many women are good candidates for nipple-sparing mastectomy, particularly those facing risk-reducing surgery. Shared decision-making between the patient, the breast surgeon, and the plastic surgeon is needed to guide this decision.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

I had a lumpectomy. Will insurance cover surgery to improve my breast shape?

Yes.

The Federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998 mandates insurance coverage for any breast surgery, even when multiple procedures are needed.

This means that any surgery on the side of the lumpectomy or on the opposite healthy breast is covered by insurance, including breast enlargement with an implant, breast lift surgery, and breast reduction.

This also applies for women who had mastectomy on one side. When one breast is removed and reconstructed, surgery for the healthy breast is often required for symmetry.

For women with breast cancer, surgery to improve breast shape or breast symmetry is not considered cosmetic surgery. Even if the surgery is done to improve the contour of a healthy breast.

The decision for the type of surgery desired is made by the patient and her plastic surgeon, not by the insurance company.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

What is Aesthetic Flat Closure?

Not every woman who has a mastectomy chooses typical breast reconstruction. Women who decide not to undergo a breast reconstruction procedure still have options to improve the appearance of their chest wall.

When not approached aesthetically, mastectomy closure often leaves excess skin and tissue, potentially creating contour deformities. Aesthetic Flat Closure is a surgical procedure that removes or rearranges excess breast skin and fat after a mastectomy to produce a smooth, flat chest wall contour. This can be done at the time of mastectomy or at a second stage. If needed, revision procedures such as fat grafting can further contribute to the best possible outcome.

Times are ever changing in the breast cancer world. In an effort to be more inclusive, The National Cancer Institute now includes Aesthetic Flat Closure in its dictionary of terms. This is exciting because it increases awareness regarding all of the options available to patients for their post-mastectomy bodies. In addition, recognition by the NCI can help in educating surgeons so they include this option in their discussion with patients.

Aesthetic Flat Closure IS a type of reconstruction and is a very powerful choice that deserves just as much care and respect as any other reconstructive surgery.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

How do I decide if my implants should go under the muscle or over the muscle?

During breast reconstruction with implants, the implants can either be placed under the muscle (UTM) or over the muscle (OTM). Your plastic surgeon can help you decide which is better for you.

In the past, the standard approach to implant breast reconstruction required that implants be placed UTM.

Today, placing implants OTM is always preferred in my practice. But this can only be done if the quality of breast skin is sufficiently good after mastectomy. Sometimes, to prevent problems with healing, plastic surgeons have no choice but to place the implants UTM at the time of mastectomy.

The problem is that many patients with implants UTM have a feeling of tightness and develop animation or unnatural movement of their implants, particularly when they are active.

I now routinely perform corrective surgery to address these problems. To move an implant from UTM to OTM, the implant is removed and the pectoralis muscle is reattached to the chest wall where it belongs. The implant is then placed in a more natural position OTM. After this surgery, patients have much less tightness and their implant animation is resolved. 

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

If I am choosing to have breast reconstruction following risk-reducing mastectomies for a genetic mutation, which doctor do I see first? The breast surgeon, or the plastic surgeon?

If you are planning risk-reducing mastectomies and breast reconstruction, you should take the time needed to assemble your team.

It is important to remember that the quality of your reconstruction is only as good as the quality of your mastectomy.

The plastic surgeon who is an expert in breast reconstruction will know who the best breast surgeons are in your community and which breast surgeons provide the best quality mastectomy.

Make sure to allow your plastic surgeon to guide you early in the process of your decision making. Seeing the plastic surgeon who is expert in breast reconstruction first can help you determine your choice of breast surgeon.

Any plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction should be experienced in the most advanced microsurgery techniques and should offer implant and natural-tissue options. They can help you determine which approach to mastectomy is best for you. This will not only depend on your breast size and breast shape, but on your desires and expectations.

It is never an easy task to make big surgical decisions related to risk-reducing mastectomy and breast reconstruction, especially when there is an overwhelming amount of information presented to you by doctors, family, and friends. But your first decision should be easy – see your plastic surgeon first, or at least make sure that a plastic surgeon participates in your decision making very early in the process.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

What do I wear after implant reconstruction?

After implant reconstruction you will wake up with a post-surgical bra that offers compression and a place for drains to hang (if applicable). It is important to keep the chest supported and compressed to keep swelling down and allow healing. 

Since something needs to be worn for 4-6 weeks around the clock my patients tell me they find comfort in sports bras (with zippers recommended as it may be hard to get one over your head).

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

Can I get sensation back after mastectomy and breast reconstruction?

Sensation after mastectomy can potentially be improved by reconnecting nerves that were cut during mastectomy to nerves that go to a flap during natural-tissue breast reconstruction.

While sensation lost after mastectomy can improve over time, reattaching these nerves can increase the amount of sensation that returns.

Natural-tissue flaps from the lower abdomen and thighs have nerves that can be identified and connected using nerve allografts to nerves that were cut at the time of mastectomy. With the help of an operating microscope, I now do this routinely at the time of natural-tissue breast reconstruction.

 

We now also offer nerve graft procedures using nerve grafts to reconnect nerves to the nipple areola at the time of implant reconstruction. In this way, when implant reconstruction is done simultaneously with nipple sparing mastectomy, the nerves to the breast can be preserved and attached to nerve endings under the nipple.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

How do I decide if I need tissue expanders or if I can go direct to implant?

As with any other breast reconstruction option, the decision between tissue expander reconstruction and direct-to-implant reconstruction is shared between the patient, her plastic surgeon, and her breast surgeon.

From my perspective, whenever possible, the direct-to-implant approach is preferred. This allows us to avoid the expansion process. Also, after direct-to-implant reconstruction we are still able to do a second stage revision surgery if desired.

Before surgery, the decision between tissue expander and direct-to-implant approaches depends on individual patient expectations regarding breast size. For patients who want a final breast reconstruction larger than their original breast size, tissue expander reconstruction is generally preferred. Otherwise, if there is sufficient healthy breast skin to support an implant, the direct-to-implant approach is ideal.

In direct-to-implant cases I always have tissue expanders available in case the breast skin immediately following the mastectomy is not sufficient or healthy enough to support the final implant. This is a judgment call that is made in the operating room at the time of surgery.

In the overwhelming majority of patients, I am able to predict before surgery if they are better candidates for tissue expander reconstruction or the direct-to-implant approach.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

Do implants feel different than expanders?

It would be easy for me as a surgeon to give you the medical answer to this question. However, since I can’t speak from personal experience, I asked a patient this question and this was her response:

“YES! Implants feel much different than expanders.

Expanders are hard and at times painful to the touch, especially around the port. They don’t really move at all and they don’t feel natural. There is also the feeling of having your chest bound at all times, even when not wearing a bra. Fortunately, the expanders are only temporary.

Implants feel lighter, softer and look more natural than expanders. I found that they aren’t as heavy as my expanders were, and over time the tightness in my chest eased a little. For me, it took about 4-6 months for the implants to feel like they are more part of my body versus “accessories”. Of course, they will never feel like my natural breasts, but they are much easier to dress, workout with and sleep with comfortably.”

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit
NYBRA.COM.

How do I know what breast implant profile is best for me?

Breast implant profile refers to how far off the chest wall the implant will extend. It is important to understand that for any given implant volume, the higher the profile, the narrower the implant.

All implant manufacturers offer a variety of implant profiles. For example, Natrelle offers five profile options. Low profile projects the least and is the widest option. Extra Full profile is the highest projection implant and is the narrowest option for any given volume. In between these options we have Low Plus, Moderate, and Full profile options.

Following mastectomy, low profile implants are typically used for women that are not looking for larger breasts. Moderate offers more projection while the Full or Extra Full profiles are the most dramatic.

Deciding what profile implant is right for you is based on the look you want and your anatomy. Every woman’s body is different. It’s my job to understand my patients’ expectations and to make sure that they align with what is possible based on their anatomy. As with most breast reconstruction decisions, this is one that is shared between the patient and her surgeon.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

Why do the same size implants look different on different women?

Women preparing for mastectomy usually have an idea as to what size they want for their reconstructed breasts. Sometimes patients will tell me that they want a specific size and shape implant because that’s the size or shape that a friend of theirs might have. Unfortunately, choosing an implant is not so easy.

People come in many different sizes and different shapes. That’s why breast implants come in multiple different sizes and variety of different profiles.

It’s important to understand that every implant size and implant profile does not look the same in every patient. For example, the same implant will look completely different in a woman with a narrow chest as compared to a woman with a wider chest.

For women having breast reconstruction after mastectomy, choice of implant type (gel vs. saline), implant degree of cohesivity, implant profile, and implant volume must be customized to allow for the best possible outcome. While the choice of implant size and profile can be predicted to some extent before surgery, the final implant choice is frequently a game-time decision during surgery.

Since 1997, I have done thousands of breast reconstruction procedures in my practice. For implant breast reconstruction, my experience has been with Natrelle and Mentor implants. Taking patient expectations into consideration, I am able to rely on my experience when choosing implant type, size, and profile.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

TAP (TDAP) Flap Breast Reconstruction

The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP or TDAP) flap uses skin and fat  from the side of the chest and back while preserving the underlying latissimus muscle. For more information on TAP (TDAP) Flap Breast Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.

Why are drains needed after breast reconstruction?

When a mastectomy and breast reconstruction are completed, breast tissue is elevated off of the muscle on the chest and separated from the overlying breast skin. This type of surgery leaves behind raw surfaces that cause your body to create fluid. This fluid is called serous fluid and is a normal part of your body’s healing process.

If this serous fluid accumulates under the skin, there is an added risk of infection and poor wound healing. Placing a drain prevents fluid from accumulating after mastectomy surgery and thereby expedites healing and recovery.

Drains are needed for both implant reconstruction surgery and natural tissue flap breast reconstruction. Drains may also be needed for major breast revision reconstruction procedures, but only if a new raw surface is created under the breast skin during surgery. Minor breast revision procedures and those where no new planes are created typically do not require drain placement.

My preferred type of drain is a round silicone tube with channels that drain the fluid into a bulb. This type of drain easily slips out when it is removed, with minimal discomfort. In addition, channel drains are less likely to get clogged or have other problems as compared to other types of drains.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

How soon can I get nipple tattoos after surgery?

For the answer to this question, I asked Nicole Rizzuto, our resident tattoo artist to chime in. The following is her answer:

All tattoo patients should wait at least 6 months from any breast or nipple reconstruction procedure to be safely tattooed. During that time, skin is still in the healing phase and not fully stable to handle the stress of a tattoo procedure.

Flaking, redness, and shiny areas are indications of early, newly compromised skin. In cases where tattoos were performed too soon, I have seen problems such as increased capillary bleeding, skin tears, and bruising. This can result in scar tissue and poor pigment retention potentially requiring more sessions to correct the tattoo. In many cases this kind of problem can be avoided by allowing sufficient time for healing before proceeding with nipple tattoo.

To see how incredible Nicole’s 3-D nipple tattoos, make sure you check her out on Instagram @nmr_medical_tattoo

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

How often do implants need to be changed?

Women frequently ask how many years after implant breast reconstruction they need to change their implants. The answer is that there is no preset time.

In the years after mastectomy and implant reconstruction, it is important to continue to be monitored by your doctors. Your plastic surgeon can tell you how frequently you need to be followed with regards to your breast implants. Whether they are saline or silicone, if you are not having any problems with your breast reconstruction, and you are comfortable with your implants, you shouldn’t need to change your implants.

The risk of implant problems increases over time. If there is a leak in the outer shell of an implant, then the implant should be changed. If a saline implant has a leak, the implant volume deflates, making it relatively easy to diagnose. On the other hand, a silicone gel implant leak might require a breast MRI to be diagnosed. Leaky or otherwise problematic implants can usually be changed as an outpatient procedure without a difficult recovery.

 

~This content was written by Ron Israeli, M.D. He is a nationally recognized expert in breast reconstruction and a founding partner of NYBRA Plastic Surgery. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has been in practice since 1997. For more information, please visit NYBRA.COM.

Aesthetic Flat Closure

With aesthetic flat closure excess breast skin is removed after a mastectomy and rearranged to provide a flat chest wall contour. For more information on Aesthetic Flat Closure, visit NYBRA.COM.

DIEP/SIEA Flap Breast Reconstruction

Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps and superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flaps use skin and fat from the lower abdomen while preserving the abdominal muscles. For more information on DIEP/SIEA Flap Breast Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.

Hybrid Breast Reconstruction

Hybrid breast reconstruction procedures combine an implant with a flap to provide a fuller breast contour. For more information on “Hybrid” Breast Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.

Stacked Flap Breast Reconstruction

In cases where a single flap does not provide enough volume to reconstruct a breast, two flaps can be combined to reconstruct one breast. For more information on Stacked Flap Breast Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.

SHAEP Flaps Breast Reconstruction

If additional volume is needed, the stacked hemi-abdominal extended perforator (SHAEP) flap combines the DIEP flap with a flap from the side of the hip. For more information on SHAEP Flaps Breast Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.

LTP Flap Breast Reconstruction

The lateral thigh perforator (LTP) flap uses skin and fat from the side of the upper thigh to reconstruct the breast. For more information on LTP Flap Breast Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.

Latissimus Flap Reconstruction

The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap uses the LD muscle and the overlying back skin for breast reconstruction. In most cases, this is combined with an implant. For more information on Latissimus Flap Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.

GAP Flap Breast Reconstruction

The gluteal artery perforator (GAP) flap uses buttock skin and fat for breast reconstruction. For more information on GAP Flap Breast Reconstruction, visit NYBRA.COM.