What Is A Total Breast Reconstruction?

• 4 September 2024
• Dr Joseph Rizk

Last updated on September 5, 2024

Breast reconstruction is a popular option that many patients choose to recreate breasts after a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or to fix growth defects in natural breasts. The important thing to remember is that making a decision on your procedure doesn’t have to be done immediately; reconstruction can be done at any time, even years after the complete removal of the breasts.

There are two main types of procedures available: those involving implants or those involving autologous tissue (tissue farmed from the patient).

So how do these procedures work?

Implants

Patients that choose to have implants can have their procedure done either in conjunction with the mastectomy, or some time afterwards. Reconstruction done during the mastectomy utilises existing breast skin to reconstruct the new shape around the chosen implants – implants made of saline, silicone or a mix of both. In some cases the nipple is removed entirely, so your surgeon will be able to advise whether the nipple can be reconstructed or reattached.

For patients that have their breasts reconstructed some time after their mastectomy, surgical procedures have to be staged over a period of months and weeks to create enough space and skin tissue to accommodate the implants. In these situations, a balloon-like expander is will be inserted under the skin and gradually filled with saline over the course of several weeks. Once sufficient space has been created, the surgeon removes the expander and replaces it with the implant.

Patients looking to reconstruct one breast need to consider the likelihood that their new breast won’t exactly match the existing, natural breast. In many cases, patients choose to have their second breast augmented to match.

Positives

• A relatively straight-forward procedure
• recovery process
• Fewer complications
• One operation site
• More suitable for smaller-framed patients with fewer options for grafted tissue

Negatives

• Weight gain and loss won’t be reflected in the breasts
• Implants can be hard to match between a reconstructed and remaining, natural breast
• Implants do not look, feel or move like a natural breast

Flap Reconstruction

A more complex procedure, the autologous (flap) reconstruction uses skin, fat and sometimes muscle from donor sites on the patient.

Depending on the build of the patient, tissue is usually harvested from the back, buttocks, belly or inner-thighs, so patients choosing this procedure will have to manage multiple healing sites.
Patients having the procedure done sometime after their mastectomy will have to undergo an expander process some weeks prior to reconstruction to create space for the new tissue.

There are two types of flap surgery, one that involves just the replantation of tissue using microsurgery and the other that combines the first with the repositioning of living muscle from the abdominal area.

Both types create a result that looks, feels and acts like a natural breast – requiring no further intervention after the end result.

Positives

• Looks, feels, moves and acts like a natural breastRarely requires surgery after completion
• Rarely requires surgery after completion

Negatives

• Multiple healing points
• Longer recovery time
• Requires specialised surgical expertise

Making an informed decision on your procedure is the first step to regaining your confidence and sense of self. If you would like more information on a complete breast reconstruction, please contact Dr Joseph Rizk’s office on 1300 440 441 or visit www.DrRizk.com.au.

About The Author

Dr Joseph Rizk

Dr Joseph Rizk is a trusted advanced Plastic Surgeon based in Sydney. He has undergone significant training to become an expert in the fields of breast, face and body surgery.