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.
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.
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