Category: Breast Reconstruction

With the arrival of spring, it’s the perfect time to think about new beginnings, renewal, and transformation. And one of the ultimate transformations is breast reconstruction.  At Lorraine Goloslow, MD, we offer breast reconstruction for those who have had a mastectomy. But how do you know if breast reconstruction is right for you? And what can you expect from the procedure? Let’s take a look!

Exploring Your Options

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to breast reconstruction. With a range of techniques available, Dr. Golosow will guide you in choosing what’s best for you in terms of your health, body, and personal preferences. We offer breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, and the options include either breast implants or FLAP reconstruction.

What To Expect From Breast Reconstruction

While the prospect may feel daunting, knowing what to expect can help you enjoy every step as it comes. From your initial consultation to your actual surgery to the recovery process, we’ll ensure you’re comfortable during every stage of the breast reconstruction process.

As for the surgery, it can depend on which breast reconstruction option is the best for you.

For breast implants, Dr. Golosow will first place a tissue expander in the breast area to ensure there is enough tissue to cover the implants. That process takes about 2-3 months. After that, Dr. Golosow will make specific incisions in the breast area and place the implants over or under the chest muscle. The incisions will then be closed.

The Personalized Care by Dr. Golosow

Dr. Lorraine Golosow takes pride in delivering a highly individualized experience with a strong focus on your unique needs and goals. She takes a personal interest in your well-being and satisfaction. H

er patient-centered approach, coupled with her technical expertise in plastic surgery, guarantees nothing short of excellence. You can expect the most advanced, personalized, and compassionate care throughout each step of your journey.

Schedule A Consultation Today!

There is no better time than spring to embrace this new chapter in your life and have breast reconstruction surgery. If you are in Cape Coral, FL or the surrounding areas and are considering breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, you can trust Dr. Lorraine Golosow to guide you on this transformative journey. Schedule a consultation today by calling our office at  239-330-6448 or filling out our online contact form.

Have you recently undergone a mastectomy? Breast cancer takes a tremendous toll on women, both physically and emotionally, and many women feel that they have lost part of their femininity after a mastectomy. Dr. Lorraine Golosow works with compassionate care and can help restore your look and confidence with breast reconstruction surgery.

What is a Mastectomy?

A mastectomy is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of the breast tissue and sometimes other nearby tissues. A mastectomy can be performed on one or both breasts to treat breast cancer. It can also be done as a preventative measure if you are at high risk for developing breast cancer. For women with breast cancer, removing the breasts will also remove the cancerous cells so it may be medically necessary, but it is still an emotionally difficult procedure.

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is reconstructive surgery offered after mastectomy to restore the shape of the breast and create a more feminine appearance. It is done using implants, tissue from other parts of your body, or a combination of both. Breast reconstruction is an individual decision and should be discussed with your doctor. There are two types of breast reconstruction:

Breast Reconstruction with Implants

Implant-based reconstruction uses a breast implant to restore the shape of the breast. The implant may be filled with saline or silicone gel and placed in the chest wall after the mastectomy has been completed. Moreover, a breast implant may also be combined with other procedures, such as fat grafting and tissue flap surgery, to create a more natural look so that you feel more confident in your appearance.

Breast Reconstruction with Fat Grafting

Fat grafting uses fat from another part of your body (usually the abdomen, back, buttocks, or inner thigh) to rebuild the breast. During this type of surgery, fat and skin are grafted from one area of the body to create a new breast mound. Some patients prefer this option because your augmentation is more natural.

Who is a Candidate?

Candidates undergoing breast reconstruction should be in good health, with no significant medical conditions. Based on your current cancer treatments and your unique cosmetic needs, a consultation with Dr. Lorraine Golosow is required to determine whether you are a good candidate for this procedure.

Recovery

Your level of recovery following a mastectomy and reconstruction varies depending on your procedure. Drains will usually be put in to prevent fluid buildup and these are removed by Dr. Golosow a few days later at your post-op appointment. Compression garments or a surgical bra must be worn to minimize swelling and guarantee proper recovery. There may be bruising, swelling, and soreness but prescription painkillers can manage these symptoms.

You must adhere to the post-operative instructions Dr. Golosow gave you to minimize the risk of complications and ensure the best possible results. On average, you should expect to rest and relax for the first two weeks while most of the swelling and bruising go down. Over the following months, you will be able to slowly get back to your normal activities.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are considering breast reconstruction, you must find an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Lorraine Golosow. Contact Dr. Golosow to schedule a consultation and learn more about your options. During this visit, you can discuss the details of your procedure and determine the best plan for restoring your breasts. We look forward to helping you on your journey toward recovery.

A breast cancer diagnosis can be extremely challenging and if you have a mastectomy, breast reconstruction may be something that can help. It’s important to know that breast reconstruction requires candidacy like any other surgical procedure and that a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Golosow is the best person to help you determine your options and partner with your care team. Here’s what to know about whether breast reconstruction is right for you.

1. Do you have any other medical problems?

Major medical problems may disqualify you from breast reconstruction surgery. When considering surgery, your plastic surgeon will assess your overall health to determine if you are a good candidate. Your plastic surgeon will also partner with your oncology team to determine if you’re in good enough health to undergo a reconstructive procedure at the time of your mastectomy or if it’s best to wait.

2. Do you have realistic goals?

It’s important to have realistic goals for reconstruction surgery. This means understanding that breast reconstruction will not make you look exactly like you did before a mastectomy. Reconstruction surgery aims to give you breasts that look natural and feel comfortable. Keep in mind that your new breasts may be unfamiliar and strange at first, especially compared to your initial breasts. It will take time to adjust as well as recover from surgery, so give yourself time to become comfortable.

3. Are you able to take the time to recover?

After reconstruction surgery, you will need to take care of yourself and your new breasts. This includes wearing a surgical bra, avoiding strenuous activity, and attending follow-up appointments. It can take several weeks to recover from breast reconstruction, so make sure that your schedule can be adjusted accordingly before considering surgery.

4. Are you at a healthy weight?

Smoking and being excessively overweight can increase your risks both during and after surgery. Make sure to go over your complete health history during your consultation with Dr. Golosow so you can ensure your procedure goes smoothly and safely.

Schedule a Consultation

Your first step in breast reconstruction is meeting with an experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon. To meet with Dr. Golosow, contact our Fort Myers or Cape Coral locations by calling or filling out our online contact form.

When a woman has breast cancer, she may undergo a lumpectomy to remove the tumor and surrounding tissue, or a mastectomy to remove one or both breasts. This can be a hard change to accept. Many women choose to get breast reconstruction to feel like themselves once again.

What Is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure done to rebuild a breast lost to mastectomy. It can also fill out and give symmetry to a breast that’s lost significant tissue to a lumpectomy. Dr. Lorraine Golosow offers breast reconstruction at her Florida office.

Types Of Reconstruction

When it comes to this procedure, there are two main options to give women the breasts they want.

1.Implant: Breast reconstruction can be done using either a saline or silicone implant that goes under the chest muscles or on top of them. If you have skin and tissue left after the operation, sometimes the implant may be added at the same time as the cancer surgery.

If you get a mastectomy, you may need to have a tissue expander put in before you can get your final implants. The expander will go under the skin and it will gradually be filled with saline to stretch the skin to make sure there is enough to cover the implant once it’s placed.

2. Flap: Flap reconstruction is also called autologous reconstruction. It uses tissue from the woman’s own body to recreate the shape of a breast. There are two main methods to flap reconstruction:
3. Free flap: This method is when the entire piece of donor tissue is removed from its blood vessels, moved to the new location and reattached to the blood vessels there via microsurgery.

2.Pedicle flap: This option is where the donor flap is still attached to its blood vessels and it’s moved under the skin to the new location in the chest. This method is easier because doctors are often more familiar with it and it does not require microsurgery. Different procedures are depending on which donor site you and your doctor choose for the flap.

Risks And Precautions

Risks of the surgery include:

• Fluid buildup
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• infection
• Capsular contracture
• Implant leaking or rupturing
• Necrosis

Other things to know:

• Implant surgery may require a healthy breast to be surgically altered for symmetry
• Some flap procedures make pregnancy afterward inadvisable
• Implants often do not last a lifetime and need to be replaced
• Breasts may be uneven

Recovery

Recovery from reconstruction can take 6-8 weeks. Things to know about recovery:

• You may have drains and compression garments
• You will have lifting restrictions
• Full healing may take 1+ years
• Avoid strenuous activity for 4-6 weeks after

Your doctor will give you aftercare instructions as well.

If you wish to discuss reconstruction options, call  Lorraine Golosow, MD  and her team today to book a consultation.