Breast Reconstruction
You may be planning or have undergone removal of one or both breasts and would like to know what your options are to restore the shape, size and form of your breasts. The rebuilding of your breasts, known as breast reconstruction, can be done at the same time as the breast removal (immediate reconstruction) or at a later date (delayed reconstruction).
If you have decided to proceed with breast reconstruction, the first key decision is whether you would like to rebuild the breast using your own tissue (flap reconstruction) or using a silicone or saline device (implant reconstruction).
Procedures
There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these options:
Flap Reconstruction
- Improved Abdominal apperance
- More naturak-looking reconstruction
- no implant-related complications
- Longer surgery, recovery & hospital stay
- Adbominal healing and residual scar
- Risk of tissue not surviving
Implant Reconstruction
- Shorter surgery and faster recovery
- No abdominal surgery
- Implant-related complications
- more difficult to match droopy breast in one-sided reconstructions
- Sometimes requires 2 surgeries
Some patients may be better candidates for one procedure over another. Others may also be candidates for combining both flap and implant-based reconstruction. In addition, if you are only reconstructing one breast, other balancing procedures can be performed on the other breast to improve breast symmetry. Dr. Yau is experienced in all of the above options. She will take you through the decision process and guide you towards a decision that feels right for you.