For many women, their breasts are tied closely to their sense of femininity and sense of self. So when breast cancer or any other traumatic experience causes women to lose one or both of their breasts, it can have a tremendous impact on their self-esteem and emotional health. Breast reconstruction is a procedure which allows Scottsdale / Phoenix plastic surgeons like Dr. Joseph Berardi to recreate the breasts, restoring a woman’s feminine figure and helping her to heal. Breast reconstruction offers an opportunity to restore self confidence and improve emotional health. Dr. Berardi is sensitive to the unique needs of breast reconstruction patients and is proud to offer the advanced treatments they need to start feeling whole again.
Read through the paragraphs below to learn more about breast reconstruction in Scottsdale.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Breast Reconstruction?
Women who have lost one or both of their breasts due to physical trauma or conditions such as breast cancer may seek breast reconstruction surgery to regain their figure. If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery, it is important that you have completed a breast cancer evaluation by a general surgeon. It is also important that you are in general good health and that you have realistic expectations regarding the outcome of the reconstructive breast procedure. Dr. Berardi will perform a thorough evaluation during your consultation and will work closely with your other surgeons and physicians to determine your candidacy for the breast reconstruction procedure as well as the best treatment options for you. There are a couple of different breast reconstruction procedures that Dr. Berardi specializes in and understanding your goals to help determine the right reconstruction procedure for you. Dr. Berardi and team understand that the decision to look into a breast reconstruction is a personal one and addressing your concerns and questions regarding the reconstruction procedure is vital to your comfort and confidence. They have been able to help hundreds of women looking to regain their figure and confidence with the reconstruction procedure and they are eager to help you.
The Breast Reconstruction Procedure
Breast reconstruction surgery can be performed in a number of ways based on your specific preferences and Dr. Berardi's recommendations. At Berardi Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery, we offer breast reconstruction with tissue expanders or breast implants and breast reconstruction with your own tissue. Each of these breast reconstruction procedures can be performed at the same time as mastectomy if you are undergoing breast cancer treatment, or they may be completed after you have healed from breast cancer surgery.
Breast reconstruction with tissue expanders is a very popular form of surgery performed. During this procedure, Dr. Berardi will utilize the incisions made by the general surgeon to insert a tissue expander, a device used to stretch the tissue and skin left after mastectomy to assist with reconstruction. After the breast reconstruction surgery, the tissue is gently expanded during the postoperative period in the office. Once the desired breast volume is reached, the tissue expander is exchanged for a breast implant to complete the reconstruction.
Breast reconstruction utilizing autologous tissue flaps uses your own body tissue, usually taken from the stomach, back, thighs or buttocks, to reconstruct the breast. This is ideal for patients who are apprehensive about reconstruction of the breast using implants in their body or who have undergone radiation of the breast; however, it is a more in-depth procedure than reconstruction with implants because it creates two distinct surgical sites. During autologous tissue flap breast reconstruction, Dr. Berardi will harvest skin, fat, and tissue from a designated area of the body and move it to the chest to create a new breast mound.
Fat Transfer Breast Reconstruction
Fat transfer breast reconstruction is the latest treatment available to breast reconstruction patients. This breast reconstruction method is used to revise or reshape your breast after lumpectomy or implant reconstruction. During this reconstruction procedure, Dr. Berardi will extract fat from another area of the body — such as the hips, buttocks, thighs or abdomen, using a liposuction technique. He will then purify the fat before injecting it around your breast. Using his aesthetic skill, he is able to complete the reconstruction to create full, natural-looking breasts. This reconstruction treatment method carries very little risk of infection and complications because it uses your own body tissue to reshape the breast.
Oncoplastic surgery is the combination of procedures that a breast cancer surgeon and your plastic surgeon perform at the time of your lumpectomy or partial mastectomy surgery. In the past a lumpectomy, also called partial mastectomy, was performed as a standalone procedure. This would leave a void or space within the breast tissue. Being that all of these surgeries typically need radiation after the procedure to complete the treatment for cancer, a women's breast was usually deformed due to the contracture or shrinking of the breast tissue around this void from the radiation.
By performing the lumpectomy, along with common plastic surgery procedures such as a breast lift or breast reduction, the void left behind by the lumpectomy is filled with your own breast tissue, which prevents deformity after radiation.
Recovery after Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Breast reconstruction recovery varies from patient to patient based on their individual health and the reconstructive method that is used. Scottsdale / Phoenix breast reconstruction surgeon Dr. Berardi will provide you with thorough post-operative instructions to ensure a safe, fast and comfortable recovery period following your breast surgery. Because breast reconstruction surgery is so comprehensive, you may require an overnight stay after your surgery. During this time as your body recovers from the reconstruction procedure, you will experience breast swelling and mild discomfort, both of which will be controlled by muscle relaxers and pain medications prescribed by Dr. Berardi.
When Can I Return To Normal Activity After Breast Reconstruction?
You should avoid exercise and strenuous activity until released by Dr. Berardi in the time following the breast reconstruction surgery. You will be able to return to work after approximately two weeks following the reconstruction procedure, or when advised by Dr. Berardi. Dr. Berardi and his staff are dedicated to providing the support you need throughout the entire reconstruction process and are always on hand to address any questions or concerns that may arise.
Schedule Your Breast Reconstruction Consultation Today
Dr. Berardi and his staff understand that the road to breast reconstruction is an emotional one, and the decision to undergo surgery is not one that can be made in haste. They will provide you with all of the information and support you need to help you make the decision as to what breast reconstruction procedure is right for you. To learn more about your options for Scottsdale breast reconstruction surgery, please contact our office at 480.397.0711 to schedule a comprehensive consultation.
