American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 

Breast reconstruction myths debunked


Myth #1

You'll need to wait until after the mastectomy before having breast reconstruction.

FALSE! Immediate breast reconstruction can usually be performed at the same time as the mastectomy and generally leads to the best cosmetic results. Most women with early breast cancer (stage 1 or 2) are candidates. Immediate breast reconstruction has the advantages of saving the natural breast skin and decreasing the amount of scarring. Enabling the patient to wake up after surgery with breasts and avoiding the experience of a flat chest is also an added benefit to having reconstruction performed at the same time as the mastectomy.

Myth #2

Breast reconstruction is not an option for women who have radiation.

FALSE! Whether a patient is having radiation or not, breast reconstruction is always an option. For patients who will have/have undergone radiation, our surgeons recommend flap based breast reconstruction due to the high complication rates associated with implants in conjunction with radiation. Reconstruction is usually delayed until after the mastectomy and radiation have been completed. Unlike radiation, the plan for chemotherapy alone does not usually delay reconstruction.

Myth #3

Breast implants are the only option for breast reconstruction.

FALSE! When most women think about reconstruction, they automatically think breast implants. There are many reconstruction options available to women today. Microsurgical breast reconstruction using perforator flaps (e.g. DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, etc.) represents the state of the art in reconstructive surgery after mastectomy. Flap surgery uses the patient's own tissue from other areas (like the tummy, buttock or thigh) to recreate a "natural," warm, soft breast. Flaps also avoid the long term problems associated with implants - many implant patients require further surgery within ten years because of implant-related problems like significant hardening (capsular contracture).

For more information, including a list of ASPS plastic surgeons in your community, please use our Find a Plastic Surgeon tool.

*Originally published on PRMA's blog


The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Logo

Surgeons In Your Area

Roman Skoracki Headshot

Roman Skoracki, MD

Canada Board Certified
Suite 2100, 915 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH 43212
United States

16142939885

Ergun Kocak Headshot

Ergun Kocak, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Suite A, 1080 Beecher Crossing N
Gahanna, OH 43230
United States

16146864083

Clara Lee Headshot

Clara Lee, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Suite 2100, 915 Olentangy River Rd.
Columbus, OH 43212
United States

16142933748

Michael DePerro Headshot

Michael DePerro, III, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Suite 200, 1830 Bethel Road
Columbus, OH 43220
United States

16144294950

Sonu Jain Headshot

Sonu Jain, MD

U.S. Board Certified
University of Cincinnati Division of Plastic Surge...
Cincinnati, OH 45267
United States

15135584407

Cristiane Ueno Headshot

Cristiane Ueno, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Dept of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Suite...
Columbus, OH 43210
United States

1614366-4678

Amy Moore Headshot

Amy Moore, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Suite 2100, 915 Olentangy River Rd.
Columbus, OH 43212
United States

1614293-5312

Jeffrey Janis Headshot

Jeffrey Janis, MD

U.S. Board Certified
Suite 2100, 915 Olentangy River Rd.
Columbus, OH 43212
United States

1614366-1704

Logo

Patient Care Center