Typical Timing/Age
Overall health is more important than age. Most (not all) women with breast cancer, at high risk for breast cancer or a history of breast cancer, are safe candidates for the procedure.
Problem
Absent breast(s) after mastectomy
Deformed breast(s) after lumpectomy
Deformed breast(s) after radiation
Deformed breast(s) after another type of reconstruction.
Procedure
Skin, fat, and muscle from your back are transferred to your chest to reconstruct your breast(s). The transferred skin and fat are kept alive by leaving it attached to an artery and vein in your armpit. The tissue is then “swung” around to your chest, never being fully disconnected from the body (that is why it is called a “pedicled” flap). The transferred back skin, fat and muscle are then used to cover a breast implant since in most cases there is not enough tissue to provide adequate volume to reconstruct a breast without an implant.
Goal
To reconstruct the breast(s).
Facility
Hospital
Preparation
Patients cannot be using any nicotine-containing substances.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Recovery
Hospital stay
2-3 days on a regular inpatient floor.
Positioning
You will need to keep pressure off your chest and side: so no sleeping on your side or stomach for ~1 month.
Assistance
You will need someone to help take care of you after surgery as you will not be able to lift children, heavy items, etc.
Walking
You are encouraged to walk around the house as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism.
Showering
After 48 hours you should remove your dressings and take a shower.
Exercise
Three weeks for light exercise, four weeks for regular exercise and about six weeks for arm exercises.
Sex
Wait 3 weeks because you don’t want to stress your incisions or increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.No one except you can touch your new breast(s) for 8 weeks.
Work
2-4 weeks depending on your type of work.
Swelling
It can persist for 3-6 months.
Bruising
Usually subsides after 2-3 weeks.
Risks & Complications
Partial flap loss. Fat necrosis., Hematoma, Seroma, Infection, Poor scarring, Dehiscence, Delayed wound healing, Skin necrosis, Asymmetry, Numbness, Thromboembolism, Contour irregularities, Need for revision, complications related to anesthesia. Complications related to the breast implant.
Performed by: Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque, Dr. Patterson
