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Breast Reconstruction
When a woman faces mastectomy she must make many important decisions during a physically and emotionally challenging time. A woman may ask herself questions like, "Should I have my breast reconstructed or not?" "Should I have the reconstruction performed immediately or wait until later?" "What type of New York breast reconstruction procedure is right for me?"
Skilled Plastic Surgery You Can Trust
Our surgeons help their patients achieve a refreshed appearance and renewed self image. See how you can get started today.
Many women in the Tarrytown, Goshen, and Tri-State areas have turned to the New York Group for Plastic Surgery for solutions and support. Our experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate surgeons can help you through this difficult time. For over 27 years, we have been there for our New York patients providing experienced, precision reconstructive plastic surgery with a caring approach to patient care.
Let us be there for you. Request a consultation online with the New York Group for Plastic Surgery. We have offices conveniently located in Westchester and Orange Counties. Call our Tarrytown office at 914-366-6139 or toll-free at 800-433-7410. You can also call our Goshen office in Orange County, New York at 845-294-2018.
Breast Reconstruction in New York - Understanding Your Choices
Several important choices accompany every mastectomy procedure. The first, most basic decision is whether to have breast reconstruction in the first place. In our New York practice, we have found that many women who undergo mastectomy choose breast reconstruction. Most patients choose reconstruction because mastectomy drastically alters their body and can negatively impact their self-image.
If you choose to undergo breast reconstruction, you also need to decide when the reconstruction will be performed, either at the time of the mastectomy (immediate reconstruction) or sometime afterwards (delayed reconstruction). The advantages of immediate reconstruction include:
- A subsequent surgery and recovery period are avoided.
- Scar tissue has not formed from the mastectomy.
- Remaining breast skin is still stretched to the size and shape of the original breast.
- The patient does not have to see herself without any breast at all.
- Postoperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy does not usually need to be delayed.
In some cases, such as intermediate or advanced breast cancer, your surgeon will probably suggest you choose delayed reconstruction to allow time to control the cancer. Also, sometimes patients need time to think through their options thoroughly. Your surgeon will take the time to answer your questions and discuss all of your options with you at your consultation to help you through this very personal decision.
Breast Replacement Choices
Once you have chosen to have breast reconstruction, your New York surgeon will ask you to decide whether you want your breast to be replaced with an implant or autologous tissue flaps (your own body tissue). Again, each option has pros and cons that must be weighed on a personal basis.
Implant reconstruction
Uses breast implants filled with either saline or silicone. In cases where there is not enough skin and muscle to cover the implant, existing tissue can be stretched over time with a tissue expander or remaining muscle can be expanded immediately using AlloDerm® (an acellular tissue matrix). Patients choose implants because of their aesthetic appearance and minimal surgery time. The disadvantages include scar tissue build up, possible rejection, and the need for a second surgery to replace the tissue expander with the implant. This is the most popular option chosen in our New York plastic surgery practice.
Autologous tissue flap reconstruction
Rebuilds the breast by transplanting live skin, fat, and muscle from another part of the body, usually the abdomen, buttock, back, thigh, or hip area. The advantages of flap reconstruction are that the reconstructed breast remains live tissue, the body does not reject the tissue, and the rebuilt breast lasts for the patient's lifetime. The disadvantages are that the surgery is longer and more complex, there are additional scars from the donor site, and recovery time is increased.
You are facing a life-changing procedure that brings with it many difficult decisions. Choosing breast reconstruction has its own set of complicated decisions for our New York patients. Take the time to learn about your options and allow the dedicated reconstructive surgeons of the New York Group for Plastic Surgery educate and support you through this trying time.
Let's Get Started
Would you like to learn more? Request your consultation online, or give us a call at 800-433-7410 or 914-366-6139 (Tarrytown), or 845-294-2018 (Goshen). At the New York Group for Plastic Surgery, we serve patients in the entire Hudson River Valley, Northern New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and Western Connecticut.
