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BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

REBUILD THE SHAPE AND LOOK OF THE BREASTS IN ST. LOUIS

Dr. Terrence Myckatyn and Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum at West County Plastic Surgeons offer breast reconstruction surgery in St. Louis for patients who have lost all or part of a breast due to cancer, another condition, or trauma. Breast reconstruction following mastectomy or lumpectomy can restore a patient’s breasts to a near-normal appearance, shape, and feel.

For many patients, reconstructing the breast not only restores desired physical contours, but can also provide significant emotional and psychological benefits.

WHAT IS BREAST RECONSTRUCTION?

Breast reconstruction is a plastic surgery procedure performed to rebuild one or both breasts. Advanced surgical techniques are employed to restore the shape, appearance, symmetry, and size of breasts that have lost volume or been removed. This surgery aims to restore a patient’s breasts so that they resemble the original breasts as closely as possible.

WHICH TECHNIQUES ARE AVAILABLE FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION IN ST. LOUIS?

At West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University, our board-certified plastic surgeons specialize in a full range of breast-restoration techniques:

• Immediate breast implant reconstructions with a nipple-sparing mastectomy
• Flap reconstructions, including DIEP, SIEA, TRAM, and TUG, Latissimus, and more
• Partial reconstruction following lumpectomy
• Autologous fat grafting, also known as fat transfer

It’s important to take the time to learn about your options. The best type of surgical technique for each patient depends on the type of mastectomy or cancer treatments they have had, in addition to their body type.

Learn about the journey of Sheila McGlown, a real patient of Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum by clicking here.

Explore your options for breast reconstruction, which are listed below and in the menu bar at the left. In addition to detailed information about each procedure, you will find online seminars, videos, and before-and-after photos.

Learn more about breast reconstruction options:

Tissue Expander

DIEP Flap

SIEA Flap

Free TRAM Flap

Stacked Free Flap

Pedicled TRAM Flap

PAP Flap

TUG Flap

Latissimus Flap

Direct to Implant

Reconstruction for Lumpectomy

TDAP and LICAP Breast Reconstruction

Balancing Procedures

Nipple Reconstruction

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION?

Patients who have some breast tissue or one or both breasts removed as part of cancer surgery may be eligible for breast reconstruction. It’s best to learn about your options for breast reconstruction prior to cancer surgery, since your eligibility for the procedure and specific techniques will depend on the type of cancer you have, your overall health, and your own preferences.

Ultimately, this surgery is not a requirement for cancer treatment, and the decision on whether or not to have the procedure will be up to the patient.

The best candidates for breast reconstruction include patients who are able to cope well with their diagnosis and treatment, who do not have other medical conditions or illnesses that could delay or interfere with healing, who maintain a positive outlook, and who have realistic goals for how they can improve their breasts and boost their body image with breast reconstruction surgery. It is not advisable to have this surgery if it will interfere with your breast cancer treatments. The best timing to have this surgery will vary depending on each patient’s unique situation.

WHAT IS RECOVERY LIKE AFTER BREAST RECONSTRUCTION IN ST. LOUIS?

Everyone’s recovery experience will be different, and the healing timeline will vary depending on factors such as the type of surgery you have had along with your overall state of health. It’s common that bandages or gauze will be applied to your incisions after this type of surgery. Patients will be advised to wear an elastic bandage or support bra as a way of reducing swelling while providing support for the reconstructed breasts. The breasts will continue to heal over the following weeks, and the shape and position of the reconstructed breasts will gradually improve as the swelling goes down.

WHAT OTHER TYPES OF BREAST SURGERY ARE AVAILABLE ASIDE FROM BREAST RECONSTRUCTION?

West County Plastic Surgeons of Washington University offers many types of breast surgery, including breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction. If only one breast is affected and restored with breast reconstruction surgery, patients may choose to have another form of breast surgery—such as augmentation or a lift—on the unaffected breast to maintain the symmetry and improve the size, shape, and position of both breasts.