Breast Reconstruction

Benefits of breast reconstruction after fighting cancer

Daniel Y. Maman, MD | New York, NY Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Breast reconstruction offers many women the opportunity to regain control of their body and self-image following the emotional journey through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Answers to common questions about breast reconstruction

Michelle De Souza, MD | Overland Park, KS Friday, November 1, 2019

Breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients has been an option for several years. Unfortunately, it is not usually talked about in conversations about mastectomies and lumpectomies.

Understanding your options for breast reconstruction following mastectomy

Kelly Sullivan, MD, FACS | Annapolis, MD Tuesday, October 15, 2019

It is important to remember that if faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, you will have choices on how, and if, you would like to reconstruct your breasts following removal of the cancer.

What you need to know about your breast reconstruction options

Cristiane Ueno, MD | Morgantown, WV Tuesday, June 18, 2019

A breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it's important that every patient knows their options for treatment and reconstruction.

Why a patient advocate attends Plastic Surgery The Meeting

Terri Coutee Thursday, September 20, 2018

A patient advocate for breast reconstructions recounts her experience at Plastic Surgery The Meeting in 2016 and explains why she keeps coming back.

What is the TRAM flap breast reconstruction technique?

Philip Beegle, MD | Newnan, GA Friday, June 22, 2018

A TRAM flap breast reconstruction procedure involves moving a small amount of the patient's abdominal tissue, including fat and muscle, to the chest, where it can then be used to rebuild the breast mound.

Inside the 'Angelina Jolie effect' on breast reconstruction

Jay Orringer, MD | Beverly Hills, CA Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Angelina Jolie's reconstructive breast surgeon shares his insight five years after her preventative mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Understanding the breast cancer gene and how it could affect your family

Christopher Shale, MD | Ogden, UT Friday, February 2, 2018

Working with breast cancer patients during breast reconstruction is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. While watching my patients suffer can be tough, I am often inspired by their strength, resolve and selflessness.

Understanding your options for breast reconstruction

Kent Higdon, MD & Christopher Tokin, MD | Nashville, TN Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Advances in microsurgical techniques have allowed plastic surgeons the ability to offer a myriad of different breast reconstruction options for optimal results.

Patient advocate stresses the importance of breast reconstruction awareness

Terri Coutee | Patient Advocate Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Many women are being educated about breast reconstruction when the discussion about mastectomy is taking place.Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day can help close this gap in education.

Advocating for breast reconstruction awareness by ASPS member surgeons

Karen Horton, MD, FACS, FRCSC | San Francisco, CA Thursday, October 12, 2017

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day is used to promote awareness of breast reconstruction options to the general public, but studies have shown that not all women are made aware of their breast reconstruction options at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis.

Recovery after DIEP flap breast reconstruction

Minas Chrysopoulo, MD | San Antonio, TX Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Many patients believe reconstruction with implants is the least painful option since the procedure is less invasive and has a shorter operative time than DIEP flap. However, studies have shown this is not the case.

Breast reconstruction options after a mastectomy

Daniel Liu, MD | Zion, IL Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Breast reconstruction is achieved through several plastic surgery techniques that attempt to restore a breast to near normal shape, appearance and size following mastectomy.

Sensory nerve repair at time of DIEP flap breast reconstruction may restore feeling after mastectomy

Minas Chrysopoulo, MD | San Antonio, TX Tuesday, May 16, 2017

For patients undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer treatment, losing feeling is a very common concern. Although much work remains to be done in this area, restoring feeling to the reconstructed breast is showing some promising results.

What is giant juvenile fibroadenoma and how is it treated?

John Y.S. Kim, MD | Chicago, IL Friday, May 5, 2017

A rare subtype of fibroadenoma is termed a "giant juvenile fibroadenoma" and these masses can grow larger than 5cm in diameter. Significant presenting asymmetry of the breasts may occur and subsequent removal of these fibroadenomas can result in concomitant deformity.

New plastic surgery statistics and breast reconstruction trends

Daniel Liu, MD | Zion, IL Tuesday, March 14, 2017

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) have observed steady annual growth in breast reconstruction over the years with 39% increase in procedural volume since 2000 and 3% increase since 2015.

Team-based approach to breast reconstruction

Terri Coutee Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The team-based approach to breast reconstruction, who is involved in your care and what each team member does is an important part of the process if you decide to have reconstruction after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Being an affiliate for Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day

Terri Coutee Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Terri Coutee, two-time breast cancer survivor and current breast reconstruction advocate, describes the importance of being an affiliate for Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day.

Breast reconstruction myths debunked

Minas Chrysopoulo, MD & Courtney Floyd | San Antonio, TX Monday, March 14, 2016

You may have heard some of these common myths regarding breast reconstruction. Make sure you know what the facts are.

Breast reconstruction tweet chat and the value of social media

Terri Coutee Thursday, February 25, 2016

Breast reconstruction advocate Terri Coutee recaps the #BCSM tweet chat that she participated in with ASPS President Dr. David Song discussing breast reconstruction options and resources.

Options and resources for breast reconstruction after mastectomy

David Song, MD, MBA, FACS & Terri Coutee | Chicago, IL Monday, February 22, 2016

Breast reconstruction is an option for women and men after having a mastectomy due to a breast cancer diagnosis. Breast reconstruction is a personal choice, a choice that is not for everyone, but a choice that everyone deserves to know about.

Ask your doctor: Radiation and DIEP flap breast reconstruction

Minas Chrysopoulo, MD & Courtney Floyd | San Antonio, TX Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Researching your breast reconstruction options? Get professional answers to common questions about radiation and DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Breast cancer to reconstruction and your healthcare team

Terri Coutee Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Breast cancer survivor Terri Coutee emphasizes the importance of your healthcare team from your breast cancer to breast reconstruction.

2013 stats reveal advances in plastic surgery driving growth

David Reath, MD | Knoxville, TN Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Our number one cosmetic procedure was breast augmentation, followed by rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), eyelid surgery, liposuction and facelifts.

New resource helps women with breast reconstruction recovery

David Reath, MD | Knoxville, TN Monday, October 21, 2013

The ASPS is proud to announce the availability of the Breast Reconstruction Planner: Tips to Manage a Speedy Recover. This is a guide for a patient and her family and caregivers to help plan for and manage the recovery following breast reconstruction surgeries. And, it's free to any and all who want to download it.

Should you take the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene test?

Lawrence Iteld, MD | Chicago, IL Thursday, September 12, 2013

In May, the New York Times published an Op-Ed letter from actress Angelina Jolie, in which Ms. Jolie shared that she elected to undergo a bilateral mastectomy and breast reconstruction after testing positive for the BRCA gene mutation.

You can pitch in: BRA Day is just around the corner

Reza Miraliakbari, MD | Fairfax, VA Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Breast Reconstruction Awareness Dy was created to raise awareness and educate women about her breast reconstruction options post-mastectomy. Not only are there are multiple breast reconstruction options, but these options can be tailored to each patient’s particular cancer type, body shape and personal preference.

Celebs on plastic surgery: When Angelina talks, we should listen

David Reath, MD | Knoxville, TN Monday, May 20, 2013

Last week was quite a busy week in the public relations office of ASPS. Without much notice, came the revelation, shared by Angelina Jolie, that she had undergone prophylactic mastectomies and reconstruction due to her high risks of developing breast cancer.

The importance of Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day

Anureet Bajaj, MD | Oklahoma City, OK Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Breast reconstruction may not be the right option for every woman, but for many, it is a life-changing procedure. The mission of BRA Day is to "develop and advance an internationally recognized day that promotes awareness and access to post-cancer breast reconstruction surgery."

Reconstructive options after partial mastectomy

Melissa Crosby, MD | Houston, TX Friday, July 20, 2012

Understanding your reconstructive options when you are considering or have had a partial mastectomy (or lumpectomy) is important. Partial mastectomy and lumpectomy are considered "breast-sparing surgery" or "breast conservation surgery" because there is an attempt to save as much healthy breast tissue as possible while removing the breast cancer.