Breast reconstruction is a physically and emotionally rewarding procedure for a woman who has lost a breast due to cancer or other condition. According to an American Society of Plastic Surgeons report, despite the increase of breast reconstruction procedures performed, nearly 70 percent of women who are eligible for the procedure are not informed of the reconstructive options available to them.
Breast reconstruction typically involves several procedures performed in multiple stages. It can begin at the same time as mastectomy, or be delayed until you heal from mastectomy and recover from any additional cancer treatments.
We recommend patients consider consultations with both their reconstructive surgeon and Dr. Seify in order to be fully informed about all options prior to making a final decision.
Breast reconstruction can help restore the look and feel of the breast after a mastectomy. Performed by a plastic surgeon, breast reconstruction can be done at the same time as the mastectomy (“immediate”) or some time after the surgery (“delayed”).
Many women now get immediate breast reconstruction. However, the timing depends on your situation and the treatment you will have after surgery. Not all women are candidates for immediate reconstruction. It is important to discuss your options with your plastic surgeon, breast surgeon and oncologist (and your radiation oncologist if you are having radiation therapy).
Breast reconstruction can be done with:
There is no one best reconstruction method. There are pros and cons to each. For example, breast implants require less extensive surgery than procedures using your own body tissues, but the results may look and feel less natural [119]. There are fairly few complications with any of the current techniques.
Your body shape and anatomy may affect the types of breast reconstruction likely to give you the best results. For women with larger breasts, breast reduction surgery on the opposite, natural breast may also be needed to create a more even look. Your plastic surgeon will help you choose the type of reconstruction that will give you the best results. Although this decision may seem overwhelming, it may help to know that most women who have had breast reconstruction are happy with the method they chose.
Most breast reconstruction methods involve several steps. Both immediate and delayed reconstructions require a hospital stay for the first procedure. However, follow-up procedures may be done on an outpatient basis.
Breast reconstruction can help you feel more comfortable about how you look. Although a reconstructed breast may never match the look or feel of your original breast, this area of plastic surgery continues to improve.
Dr. Hisham Seify is a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon based in Newport Beach, serving the greater Orange County area. With an impressive background that includes advanced fellowships and prestigious awards, Dr. Seify is committed to delivering the highest standards of patient care. His approach emphasizes attentive listening to patient concerns and offering customized surgical solutions with meticulous attention to detail. Specializing in both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, Dr. Seify strives to make each patient’s experience positive and transformative.
One beautiful fall morning I received the news that no woman wants to hear – I had breast cancer. After two biopsies and an MRI, my husband and I sat in my breast surgeon’s office discussing the course of treatment for my particular type of cancer – a bilateral mastectomy.
The surgeon wisely made an appointment that same morning for us to see Dr. Seify to go over the options for reconstruction. Dr. Seify showed us some before and after photos and explained in great detail the steps involved in my reconstruction. We both left his office feeling very comfortable with our choice of plastic surgeons. I later realized that I was still in deer-in-the-headlights mode during our first meeting and Dr. Seify made time for me once more before surgery to answer my questions and address my concerns.
My reconstruction began with skin expanders put in at the time of the mastectomy that were replaced a few months later with silicone implants.
Dr. Seify reconstructed the nipples during a third surgery and one year after the mastectomy I am almost at the end of my challenging journey. He is an amazing doctor and I’m very pleased with my results – my new breasts look great!
Throughout the course of my reconstruction, I have had many appointments with Dr. Seify and frankly, without his compassion and positive demeanor, it would have been much more difficult for me to keep my upbeat attitude this past year.
I cannot remember ever having an appointment with the doctor where he did not greet me with a smile and make me feel like he genuinely was happy to see me.
The staff at Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates was equally wonderful and I would (and have) recommend them to others!
-SG
*The information about Breast Reconstruction was reviewed by Dr. Hisham M. Seify. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.
At Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates, Dr. Hisham Seify offers both plastic and reconstructive surgical options to patients across southern California, including Irvine, Tustin, Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, and Newport Beach. Contact the Newport Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Associates office today at (949) 251-1502 or fill out our online form.
Your natural proportions and frame determine which approach will provide you with the best results. After meeting you and learning about your goals and needs, Dr. Seify will walk you through your available options for regaining confidence in your body.
While the idea of undergoing reconstruction surgery after the challenges of breast cancer can feel overwhelming, most women who choose this route report being pleased with their chosen method.
Reconstruction using breast implants usually requires an initial procedure to insert expanders under the skin to make room for the implants. Over the next several months, you’ll return to our Newport Beach office to increase the expanders’ size until your skin has stretched enough to accommodate the implants. After inserting your saline or silicone implants, Dr. Seify often schedules additional surgery to rebuild the nipple-areola complex.
Your consultation is an ideal opportunity to ask questions about the techniques Dr. Seify uses and the timeline involved in your customized surgical plan.
While some women regain partial sensation over time, it is unlikely to feel the same as it did before surgery. Be honest with Dr. Seify so he can ensure you have realistic expectations.
Breast reconstruction does not interfere with cancer screenings. Regular follow-up appointments, self-exams, and imaging tests like mammograms or MRI scans will continue to be part of your routine care to monitor for any recurrence.
In many cases, the answer to this question is yes, as federal laws require insurance companies to cover reconstruction after mastectomy. Check with your provider to understand your plan and potential out-of-pocket costs.
You’ll need to take at least a few days off work following each phase of your reconstruction to allow your body to rest. Arranging for someone to help you with household tasks like laundry and cooking will make your recovery go more smoothly. Set up a quiet area of your home where you can destress and fully focus on healing.
Recovery can vary depending on the specifics of your surgical plan. Generally, you can expect discomfort, swelling, and bruising for a few weeks after surgery. Carefully follow your provided postoperative care instructions about taking your medications, caring for your incisions, restricting strenuous activities, and wearing your surgical support bra. You can gradually resume your daily schedule as your healing progresses and Dr. Seify clears you to do so.
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