Breast reconstruction in West Palm Beach is a surgical procedure for a woman who has lost part or all of a breast to cancer or severe injury. A woman who has had a mastectomy may either have her breast reconstructed right after the mastectomy, or she may wait until she has finished treatments and is feeling better.
What Does Breast Reconstruction Involve?
A patient undergoing breast reconstruction can, with their doctor’s help, choose from two main types of breast reconstruction: implants or autologous breast reconstruction. The latter involves using tissues taken from another part of the patient’s body and reshaping them into a breast. While most patients prefer implants, mastectomies and cancer treatments don’t always leave them with enough tissue on the chest to support and cover an implant. Such patients will need a flap technique or tissue expansion.
What are Implants Like?
Breast implants in West Palm Beach come in various sizes, and they can be silicone or saline. The surgeon can help as you choose the one that best suits you. Implant surgery is an outpatient procedure.
What is a Flap Technique?
A flap technique is a type of autologous breast reconstruction. Athena Plastic Surgery offers two types: transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) and deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap methods. Since both types of flap techniques involve removing tissue from the abdominal area, they often leave the patient looking as if she had a tummy tuck, for her abdomen will be flatter.
What is Tissue Expansion?
Tissue expansion is a procedure that induces the body to grow more skin. The surgeon will implant a silicone balloon expander near the operation site. It will gradually be filled with water or saline to make the patient’s skin stretch and grow. When the surgeon is satisfied that there is enough new skin, the expander can be removed.
Good Candidates for Breast Reconstruction
The ideal candidate in West Palm Beach will be somebody who has realistic expectations and is healthy enough to undergo surgery. To learn more about breast reconstruction, schedule an appointment at Athena Plastic Surgery, located in Stuart and Palm Beach Gardens. Contact us today to book your consultation!