Breast Reconstruction Options At A Glance

Here's a great infographic summarizing the breast reconstruction options available these days:

Some additional important points:

"Immediate" vs "delayed" breast reconstruction simply describes when the breast reconstruction process begins. Most approaches require more than 1 surgery and the whole reconstruction process can take several months to complete regardless of when it starts. The benefits of immediate reconstruction (same time as the mastectomy) include avoiding the experience of living without a breast, less scarring and better cosmetic results (especially when combined with nipple-sparing mastectomy). You can see patient before and after pictures here.

Many of the above procedures are often combined. For example, tissue expanders or implants can be used in conjunction with flaps. The most common combination is a tissue expander with a latissimus ("lat") flap. Fat grafting is also frequently used in combination with any of the above techniques to address contour deformities, hide implant rippling, add volume, or simply make the results more "natural".

Unfortunately, many of the above procedures are not offered by all plastic surgeons. I encourage all of you to do your own research, ask questions, and if at all possible, consult with plastic surgeons experienced in all types of breast reconstruction before making a final decision.

Dr C
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Dr Chrysopoulo is a breast reconstruction surgeon in San Antonio, TX, specializing in the DIEP flap and other state-of-the-art breast reconstruction procedures. In-network for most US insurance plans. Patients are welcomed from across and outside the US. Please call (800) 692-5565 or email patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to learn more about your breast reconstruction options. Connect with Dr C on Twitter and Facebook.

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Fat Grafting in Breast Reconstruction - What's the Scoop?

Fat grafting has been in the news a fair amount so I thought I'd give you a brief run-down of what's involved....

Fat grafting is a fairly new technique in breast surgery. Fat is liposuctioned from one part of the patient's body, purified and then injected into the breast.

Fat grafting can be used to fill-in partial breast defects after lumpectomy. It is also frequently used after mastectomy, usually in conjunction with other reconstructive techniques, to optimize the breast contour and improve overall cosmetic results.

There are several fat grafting techniques that are used by plastic surgeons. There is no "set way" that has been shown to be the best in terms of long-term results. However, studies have shown that regardless of the technique used, the collection, storage, and transplantation of the fat cells (and fat stem cells they contain) must be optimized to obtain the best long-lasting results.

Studies have also shown that once the injected fat "takes", it can also help improve the thickness and quality of radiation-damaged tissue and skin.

Regardless of technique, some of the injected fat will be reabsorbed over time but this can vary depending on the exact clinical situation. Patients must therefore be prepared to require more than one procedure for the best results.

As for the risks.... For women still undergoing regular mammograms, it is also important to know that fat grafting can also cause calcifications known as "MACRO-calcifications". As many of you have already unfortunately experienced, breast cancer can also cause calcifications, known as "MICRO-calcifications". According to the American Society of Radiology, these different types of calcifications are easily distinguishable. Having said that, I still tell my patients that fat grafting can lead to the recommendation for further tests in the future because of this calcification issue.

Injected fat can also become firm or create "oil cysts". Fortunately these are becoming much less frequent as techniques are refined but again, both of these can cause "unnecessary" stress.

Several independent studies that have evaluated patients over a few years after the procedure have shown that fat grafting is safe. However, because the technique is fairly new, no long-term safety data is currently available.

Unfortunately not all insurance companies cover the cost of fat grafting so the procedure can involve out of pocket expenses for some patients.

I hope this info helps.

Dr C

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PRMA Plastic Surgery specializes in advanced breast reconstruction including DIEP flap, SIEA flap, GAP flap, TUG flap, Alloderm One-Step and fat grafting. In-Network for most US insurance plans. Patients routinely welcomed from across the USA. Please call (800) 692-5565 or email patientadvocate@PRMAplasticsurgery.com to learn more about your breast reconstruction options. Connect with other breast cancer reconstruction patients at www.facebook.com/PRMAplasticsurgery.

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Too thin for a DIEP flap?

I've spoken to several ladies recently who have had the same misconception about DIEP flap surgery. They were scared they were "too skinny". The truth of the matter is that you don't need to be overweight to be a candidate for DIEP flap surgery. What matters is the distribution of the fat that you do have. Unfortunately that can't be determined over the phone. Sometimes it can't even be determined by emailing pictures.

I can say that we have successfully performed DIEP flap reconstructions on women with BMI's of 20 and even less. In instances where the reconstruction ends up too small, many women are candidates for autologous fat grafting. This involves liposuction of fat from another part of the body, purifying this fat, and then re-injecting it into the reconstructed breast for additional volume.

We used to occasionally place a breast implant under the DIEP flap in women who needed more volume. Unfortunately the patient is then exposed to the risks of breast implants like capsular contracture (hardening of the implant and breast) and even deformity.

Fat is not free of issues either though - some of it can become reabsorbed or form little pea-sized areas of hardening (fat necrosis), especially if the fat grafting is not performed in a meticulous way. There were fears for a while that the injected fat could cause calcifications on a mammogram that could look like or even mask a new breast cancer. Several studies have since proven that fat grafting is safe though some plastic surgeons are still reluctant to perform the procedure because of these previous fears. Even though fat grafting may not be 100% predictable, it has served our patients very well and we now prefer it to implants in these situations.

If you'd like to know for sure whether you're a candidate for a DIEP flap please visit with an experienced DIEP surgeon. It's the only way to really be sure.

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Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in advanced breast reconstruction. Learn more about your breast reconstruction options and connect with other breast reconstruction patients here. You can also follow Dr C on Twitter!

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