Breast Reconstruction in Columbus, GA | Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery

Surgical Procedures

Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction

When faced with a breast cancer diagnosis, your doctor may recommend eliminating the source of the problem as the ideal solution. This is especially true for women with the BRCA gene or a family history of breast cancer, both of which are significant risk factors. However, losing one or both of your breasts can severely impact your physical and emotional health and leave you feeling less feminine, confident or comfortable in your own body. For women whose breasts are taken away by an illness or accident out of their control, breast reconstruction surgery can help restore a sense of wholeness and well-being.

At Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery, we understand how emotional it can be to undergo a mastectomy. That’s why we’re proud to give our patients the opportunity to reclaim an important aspect of their self-image with breast reconstruction surgery. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Naman, has a special interest in women who have overcome breast cancer and would be honored to be a part of your reconstruction journey.

If you have questions regarding breast reconstruction or would like to schedule a consultation, please click here to complete our online contact form or call our plastic surgery office in Columbus, Georgia, at 706-494-7700.

What is Breast Reconstruction?

You may have had a mastectomy because you were diagnosed with breast cancer or are at high risk for developing it in the future. If this is the case, your doctor might have told you about the option of rebuilding your breasts. This is called breast reconstruction surgery.

Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure that uses breast implants or natural tissue taken from another place in the body to restore the shape, volume and definition of the breasts. Often, breast reconstruction is performed soon after one or both breasts are removed as part of your breast cancer treatment or prevention plan. Whether you’ve had a single mastectomy, double mastectomy or lumpectomy, reconstruction surgery rebuilds proportional, natural-looking breasts and restores your feminine figure so you can feel like yourself again.

Breast Reconstruction Options

When it comes to breast reconstruction surgery, you have two main options to choose from: implant-based reconstruction or autologous reconstruction. Each option has certain benefits and drawbacks, but our board-certified plastic surgeons will discuss both techniques in detail during the consultation process to help you decide which is right for you.

Implant-Based Reconstruction

Implant-based breast construction is a popular choice for patients following a mastectomy or lumpectomy. However, many post-mastectomy women don’t have enough natural breast tissue left to sufficiently cover and support a full-sized breast implant, so tissue expanders are often used to increase the amount of tissue available that your surgeon has to work with.

Similar to an empty breast implant, a tissue expander is a balloon-like device that is inserted beneath the skin and muscle in the chest. It contains a valve, which your doctor will use to slowly fill the device with a sterile implant solution over the following months, filling it in stages to stretch the surrounding skin and tissue. Once it has reached the appropriate size, the expander will be replaced with a permanent implant of your desired shape and material.

Implants are a safe and trusted way to restore the shape, volume and definition of your breasts. They come in a range of textures, shapes and sizes that mimic the appearance of natural breast tissue and can be customized to suit your unique aesthetic tastes. Breast reconstruction with implants also provides predictable, balanced and symmetrical results that are ideal for women who have had either a single or double mastectomy.

Autologous Reconstruction

Autologous reconstruction, also known as natural reconstruction or “flap” surgery, involves using your own tissue to rebuild the breast. Instead of using implants to add shape and definition to the breasts, your surgeon will remove tissue from your back and use it to create a new breast mound. Sometimes, implants may also be used to further increase breast volume while still primarily relying on your own tissues in a hybrid reconstruction technique.

This method produces the most natural results, a lower risk of complications and the best chance of recovering breast sensation. And since it doesn’t require the use of tissue expanders, it only involves one surgery. However, you will have two surgical sites — the donor site and the breast area. Additionally, the surgical process is more complex than implant-based reconstruction and requires a longer recovery time.

Autologous breast reconstruction has a very high rate of patient satisfaction. Your new breasts will look and feel natural because they are made from your own tissue and will even change size alongside your body with weight loss or gain. Depending on your unique goals and body type, autologous reconstruction can provide you with completely natural, low-maintenance and long-lasting results you’ll love.

What to Expect During Your Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction is an outpatient surgery that may take several hours to complete. It’s performed under general anesthesia at our state-licensed surgical facility, the Brookstone Ambulatory Surgery Center, located in Columbus, Georgia. The exact procedure steps will vary depending on the timing and which technique your surgeon uses to restore the appearance of the breasts, but below is a broad outline of what you can expect.

Implant-Based Reconstruction Procedure

If you choose to have implants introduced immediately after having your breasts removed, your surgeon may be able to perform a one-stage reconstruction. In this case, the need for a tissue expander is eliminated. However, if you wait, the skin will likely have contracted as you heal from your mastectomy and need to be stretched to accommodate a breast implant. This is called two-stage reconstruction and typically involves the following steps:

Your surgeon will make an incision in the breasts to insert a tissue expander
Over the following months, the device will be gradually inflated to gently stretch the breast tissue and skin to make room for your permanent implants
The tissue expander will be replaced with your permanent breast implants

Autologous Reconstruction Procedure

Autologous reconstruction can be performed immediately after your mastectomy or delayed to give the breast area a chance to heal. Regardless of which you choose, this technique uses your own tissue to rebuild the breasts and typically doesn’t require the insertion of expanders. During autologous reconstruction, you can expect the following steps:

Your surgeon will harvest excess tissue from your back to create the new breast mound
The tissue will be transferred to the chest area and the blood vessels carefully reattached to ensure proper blood flow
Your surgeon will sculpt the tissue into the shape of a breast and stitch it into place

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Breast Reconstruction Recovery

Your exact recovery timeline will vary depending on which technique is used to restore the appearance of your breasts. Recovering from implant-based reconstruction is typically shorter than autologous reconstruction, but you should still expect to take a two-week break from work and other activities to give your body enough time to heal. During this time, you may experience discomfort, pain and swelling in the breasts. The first surgery to insert the expander tends to have a longer recovery, while the second surgery is usually a bit easier.

Autologous reconstruction is more intensive than implant-based procedures and requires a longer recovery time. Additionally, you will have two surgical sites to care for. Most women can go back to work a few weeks after their procedure, but it can take longer than that for the transplanted tissues to heal fully. Because of this, more strenuous activities should be avoided for six to eight weeks. Throughout your recovery, our surgeons will carefully monitor your breasts for any signs of complications and ensure proper blood flow to the area.

No matter which technique is used, our entire staff is always here to answer any questions about the surgery or the recovery process. We understand that getting breast reconstruction surgery can be a big step, and we want to be there to support you every step of the way.

Schedule Your Consultation With Our Expert Breast Reconstruction Surgeons in Columbus, Georgia

We understand that losing one or both breasts can be a highly emotional experience that leaves you feeling anxious and sad. Maybe you used to feel confident with or without your clothes and are now faced with uncertainty and self-consciousness. If you’re ready to regain your feminine curves with breast reconstruction surgery, we can help. Our friendly and educated surgeons will make sure to listen to your unique goals and work with you to ensure that they are achieved. From your initial consultation to your recovery, we also encourage you to think about what will ultimately make you the happiest.

Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery proudly serves patients in Columbus, Georgia, and the surrounding cities in Alabama. If you’d like to learn more about your breast reconstruction options or schedule a consultation, contact or call us today at 706-494-7700.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Surgical Procedures