Patient - Breast Reconstruction

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Click on an image below to see a larger version.

Before

This lady was diagnosed with cancer of her left breast and, like many women, elected to have both breasts removed to reduce her concerns about future breast cancer in the other breast. Because she was fairly large and somewhat saggy, I felt she was a good candidate to do this using an "inverted T" incision, as in a breast lift, with preservation of her nipple/areola complexes as grafts. She liked this plan. 

After

Her completed reconstruction is shown. This was done in two stages- first placement of a tissue expander at the time of her mastectomies ( I assisted her surgeon, who did a nice job with the mastectomies), then replaced the expanders with implants 4 months later. Her course was unusual in that she developed what looked like cellulitis of the right side 2 months after her first surgery. Cultures of fluid from her breast never showed any bacteria. This responded to antibiotics and did not affect her reconstruction. Her implants are Mentor MemoryGel Xtra round, smooth, high profile gel implants, 560 cc. These have a stiffer gel and are less prone to rippling and wrinkling. Her new breasts are very soft. Her scars are good. Her nipple grafts lack feeling and projection, but this is unavoidable with this technique. She is pleased and so am I.