Breast Reconstruction
Many breast cancer patients must undergo mastectomy, or removal of one or both breasts, in order to effectively rid their bodies of cancerous tissue. Advances in modern technology and medicine have enabled plastic surgeons to reconstruct natural-looking breasts after mastectomy using a variety of breast reconstruction techniques.
What is Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is designed to restore the shape and appearance of one or both breasts after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The two most common breast construction procedures involve either placing breast implants or using the patient’s own tissues to recreate the breast mound. Depending on the patient, these procedures may be performed at the same time as a mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or as a follow-up procedure in one or multiple surgeries (delayed reconstruction).
The decision to undergo breast reconstruction is a very personal one and may not be right for everyone. We encourage patients to feel empowered in understanding the breast reconstruction techniques, even if it is something that may be reconsidered at a later time. Our highly skilled Nacogdoches plastic surgeon, Gregory Wittpenn, MD, can provide a personal consultation to discuss all of the available options and offer guidance on the ideal choice that can best suit an individual’s unique anatomy, medical history, and aesthetic goals.
Who Is a Candidate for Breast Reconstruction?
Breast cancer survivors who have had one or both breasts removed often seek breast reconstruction to restore their natural upper body contours and correct disfigurement caused by mastectomy. Some patients choose to have breast reconstruction immediately following mastectomy, while others choose to delay breast reconstruction for months or years. The method of breast reconstruction that’s right for you may depend on the amount of time that has elapsed between your mastectomy and reconstruction procedures, as well as the cancer treatments that you may still need to undergo after breast reconstruction.
Patient Results
Before 
After What Is Involved in Breast Reconstruction Treatment?
During your consultation, Dr. Wittpenn will help you explore your breast reconstruction options, which may include any of the following procedures:
TRAM Flap
A TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous) flap breast reconstruction utilizes a small portion of the patient’s abdominal skin, muscle, and fat tissues to rebuild a new breast mound. By moving these tissues, along with blood vessels and nerves, from the abdomen up through the breast area to the reconstruction site, the technique can provide an adequate blood supply to enable the tissue to grow with the patient. Since the TRAM flap method uses a patient’s own tissues, it provides a very natural breast reconstruction look and feel without the need for silicone or saline breast implants. However, TRAM flap breast reconstruction is a complex procedure that generally requires a longer surgery and recovery time and potentially multiple surgeries for the ideal outcome. Additionally, the surgery will most likely produce a horizontal scar on the lower abdomen.
Tissue Expanders
Prior to undergoing an implant-based breast reconstruction, tissue expanders can be used to expand the skin at the reconstruction site gradually over time. A tissue expander is a temporary device that resembles a deflated breast implant. Once placed, the expander is gradually filled with saline over the course of multiple office visits until the desired pocket size is achieved. The goal of the tissue expansion method is to create a new breast pocket and stretch the skin an adequate amount to accommodate the permanent breast implant(s) that will eventually be placed. Typically, the tissue expansion method is preferred when the patient may not have a sufficient amount of skin and tissue after a mastectomy to form and support a breast implant.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap
Similar to the TRAM flap procedure, a latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction transports skin, muscle, and fat tissues and the original source of blood supply to create a new breast mound at the reconstruction site—however, this approach uses the upper back as the donor site instead of the abdomen. Also known as a “lat flap” procedure, this surgery moves the tissues through an incision in the underarm. The latissimus dorsi flap method is often used along with tissue expanders and then breast implants to complete the breast reconstruction. Generally, Dr. Wittpenn may recommend the latissimus dorsi flap as an option for radiation therapy patients with delayed breast reconstruction or for patients that have had a previous unsuccessful reconstruction.
Contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery
If you’re a breast cancer survivor who has had or will have a mastectomy, contact New Horizons Plastic Surgery at (936) 564-3744 to schedule a consultation with Nacogdoches breast reconstruction surgeon Dr. Gregory Wittpenn. Dr. Wittpenn sees breast reconstruction patients from all over eastern Texas and western Louisiana, including Huntsville, Longview, Lufkin, Tyler and Shreveport residents.