Breast Reconstruction
in Albany

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your breasts and wish to regain the stunning physique of your youth, be sure to speak with Dr. Malcolm Z. Roth about breast reconstruction! Dr. Roth can answer any questions you have, help you understand the benefits of breast reconstruction, and can use the latest techniques to help you realize your aesthetic dreams. Call 518-262-2229 today for your consultation at our Albany, NY office!

What is Breast Reconstruction?

A woman receiving a breast reconstruction due to breast cancer. A surgeon is filling breasts with her own fat after a mastectomy.Breast reconstruction is performed on women who have lost one or both breasts to mastectomy, or who lack breasts due to congenital or developmental abnormalities. The goal of breast reconstruction is to create a breast and nipple that resemble the natural breast as closely as possible in shape, size, and position. A long as a woman is healthy, age is not a factor in whether she is a good candidate for breast reconstruction. However, women with health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure, and those who smoke, are advised to wait rather than have breast reconstruction immediately following mastectomy.

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Types Of Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is performed in several steps, and there are essentially two types. Which one is used depends on whether there is enough tissue on the wall of the chest to cover/hold an implant. Whichever type is used, a woman’s breast surgeon and plastic surgeon should work as a team during reconstruction.

Autologous-Tissue Breast Reconstruction

Autologous-tissue breast reconstruction is used if there is not enough tissue left post-mastectomy to create a new breast using tissue expansion, or a woman does not want implants. During autologous-tissue breast reconstruction, a breast is created using skin, fat, and, sometimes, muscle from other parts of the body. The abdomen, back, buttocks or thighs are all donor sites. The donor tissue, which is called a “flap,” is either surgically removed and reattached (free flap) to the chest, or left connected to its original blood supply and “tunneled” through the body to the chest (pedicle flap). There are a number of different flap techniques; which one is used depends on the individual patient. Factors taken into consideration include how much extra tissue is available for transfer; the width and flexibility of blood vessels; and how large the breast(s) needs to be.

Implants may or may not be used with autologous-tissue breast reconstruction. Constructing a nipple and areola is performed in a separate surgery.

Breast Reconstruction with Implant/Tissue-Expansion

Portrait of female doctor holding mammary prosthesis in the office.Implant/tissue-expansion breast reconstruction involves inserting an implant in the chest after the skin has been stretched enough by an expander to contain it. First, the surgeon inserts a balloon expander beneath the skin and chest muscle where the reconstructed breast will be built. Then, during the next few weeks or months, a saline solution is injected through a tiny valve beneath the skin into the expander. As the expander fills with saline, it stretches the skin and creates a pocket for the implant. The expander is left in place to serve as the implant or replaced with another one, which can be made of saline or silicone gel. A final procedure reconstructs the areola and nipple. Some patients do not require tissue expansion, which can take up to a year to complete and begin reconstruction with the insertion of the implant.

Breast Reconstruction with Fat-Transfer

“Autologous fat transfer” removes fat from an area of the body that has fat to spare, and places it in the reconstructed breast for results that look and feel natural. By using the patient’s own fat, the hard look and feel often associated with implants is eliminated. Many women also like the idea that a foreign material has not been inserted into their bodies. The cosmetic benefit of fat transfer is that the area, usually the abdomen, from which the fat is taken becomes slimmer and more contoured. Fat-transfer breast reconstruction is ideal for nearly any woman who wants a breast reconstructed, does not want to use a saline or silicone implant, and has enough body fat available to sufficiently rebuild the breast.

Breast reconstruction using autologous fat transfer has a number of benefits over breast reconstruction with implants, including the following:

  • No risk of implant rejection
  • Ability to shape and sculpt the breasts
  • Minimal number of incisions
  • Reduced scarring
  • No risk of capsular contracture

In general, a breast reconstructed from a patient’s own tissue is more similar in shape, contour, and feel to a natural breast than one reconstructed using an implant.

It is essential that a patient have reasonable expectations about the results reconstruction provides.

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Recovery From Breast Reconstruction

An image of a woman wearing a white bra with a breast garment: double strap bandeau, that provides post-surgical support following breast reconstruction surgery.Recovery varies widely based upon the type of procedure used for breast reconstruction, as well as whether reconstruction immediately follows mastectomy. Hospital stays range from 1 to 6 days. Patients are tired and sore for 1 to 2 weeks, and recovery takes 3 to 6 weeks. Compression garments are typically worn, and stitches are taken out in a week to 10 days. A surgical drain may be left in place to prevent a buildup of fluid in the reconstructed breast; if so, it is removed within 1 or 2 weeks.

Risks Of Breast Reconstruction

In addition to the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia, those related to implant/tissue-expansion breast reconstruction include infection around the implant, implant leaks and ruptures, and implant deflation or shifting. Risks related to autologous breast reconstruction, depending upon the technique used, include fat necrosis, abdominal weakness, hernia, and a mismatch between chest tissue and donor tissue.

Correcting reconstructive problems typically requires additional surgery.

Results Of Breast Reconstruction

A reconstructed breast will not look the same as the original breast. And although a surgeon attempts to match the size, shape, position, and other attributes of the remaining breast, an exact match is not possible. To achieve symmetry, the remaining breast may be operated on to make it bigger or smaller, or to lift it.

In addition to not looking the same as the original, a reconstructed breast has little sensation, although there may be more when autologous tissue rather than an implant is used.

Patient Testimonial

This doctor is very kind. I got surgery Yesterday and he made sure to call me today to follow up with me and allow me to ask whatever questions I may have. The care at Albany Meds hospital was amazing the nurses were great. My preoperative nurse also called me today to find out how I was doing. I would definitely recommend Dr. Roth to my family and friends looking for a surgeon in the area.” – Y.M

Schedule Your Breast Reconstruction Consultation In Albany, NY!

If you’re interested in learning more about breast reconstruction please contact us for a consultation at 518-262-2229 or fill out our contact us form. We will discuss your needs and concerns, and determine your best course of action.

Please Contact Us to set up a consultation at our Albany office for any of our procedures.

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