Immediate breast reconstruction occurs during the same surgery as a mastectomy.
Immediate reconstruction refers to the timing of breast reconstruction as it relates to the oncologic breast surgery (mastectomy or partial mastectomy/lumpectomy).
If reconstruction occurs at the same time as the mastectomy or lumpectomy, it is considered immediate reconstruction.
In natural tissue procedures, immediate reconstruction involves removing a tissue flap from a donor site, such as the abdomen, thigh, buttock, lumbar region, or upper back. That tissue flap is reattached in the breast region using advanced microsurgical techniques (or tunneled under the skin in the case of an LD flap from the upper back). The tissue is then reshaped into a breast mound.
In implant procedures, immediate reconstruction involves placing a tissue expander, or in some cases going directly to a prefilled implant (without the use of a tissue expander), at the time of the mastectomy.
Immediate reconstruction often still has secondary phases, which happen in the following weeks or months. Phase two of breast reconstruction might include minor revision to scars, nipple and areola reconstruction, implant exchange, fat grafting and other outpatient procedure that can further enhance your result.
Immediate breast reconstruction is often associated with better cosmetic results, and in some cases resulting in fewer surgeries. Women also experience better psychological outcomes and emotional well being waking up to a restored breast.
Yes, in some cases. The types of immediate breast reconstruction you can have will be limited until you have completed radiation and your breast skin is fully healed. Your physician team will help determine whether or not you may have breast reconstruction before you begin treatment, or after radiation is complete. In some cases, a delayed-immediate approach may be advised.
I didn’t have to take any pain medicine. It was just amazing. . . I had this major surgery and was home the next day.
I would 100% recommend Dr. Smith and just say there isn’t a better doctor out there for this.
I'm astonished. I am amazed at how Dr. Smith was able to create another breast for me from nothing.
Dr. Smith is the happy ending to this story. Everyone that I spoke to about him said, ‘you're in great hands.’
I can't believe I didn't feel any pain. I didn't really need any painkillers. Not at all.
He will always give you his best. He will help you to feel whole again. He will help you to feel like the person you were before.
I can tell you now 1,000% that I made the right decision...the way that they look, you cannot even see a scar.
I felt like this doctor is something. He has a good heart. He’s very gentle and very nice.
And I just knew how thorough he was, that he was prepared, that he was well informed, and that he knew his craft
Dr. Smith was very, very nice and friendly. He was very down to earth compared to some doctors. He's knowledgeable, of course. His credentials definitely spoke volumes.
He's even more impressive than I had first thought. He is very direct and he's smart. And he will explain things to you.
It's very important to me to have good bedside manner. And [Dr. Smith] took the time. He made me feel like he could do this 1-2-3, and I'd be good to go.
Get in touch to begin your comprehensive treatment plan and your journey back to complete wellness.
