Breast Reconstruction
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, it is likely that you are worried, confused, and in need of information and support. While undergoing treatment as quickly as possible is important, there are many decisions that need to be made along the way. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schlaudraff is a plastic surgeon in Geneva, Switzerland who performs breast reconstruction to restore his patients' appearance with results that look and feel as close to a natural breast as possible.
At his Concept Clinic in Geneva, Switzerland, Dr. Schlaudraff offers advanced breast reconstruction options including cell-enriched fat grafting. To find out more, request a consultation online with Dr. Schlaudraff, or phone the Concept Clinic at +41-22-54-000-54.
Deciding to Have Breast Reconstruction
If you are facing breast cancer surgery, whether it's a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, you will need to decide whether to undergo reconstruction and what reconstructive method to choose. This is a highly personal decision that each woman must make for herself. Breast reconstruction helps to restore the appearance of the breasts and body and can repair body image and improve self-esteem. Dr. Schlaudraff will review your therapeutic options – also taking into account whether you need adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy – and advise you about the best reconstructive procedure and realistic expectations for your outcome.
Breast Reconstruction Timing
Once you have decided on breast reconstruction, you will need to decide when to have the procedure performed. You have the following options, which each have their own advantages:
- Immediate reconstruction is performed at the time of your breast cancer surgery. Immediate reconstruction can enable you to avoid seeing yourself without a breast and can eliminate a subsequent surgery.
- Delayed reconstruction is performed some time after your breast cancer surgery. Delayed reconstruction gives you more time to research your options and feel comfortable with your choice. Breast reconstruction can be delayed for months or even years after your breast cancer surgery if desired.
Some patients with advanced breast cancer may be advised by their breast cancer surgeon to delay reconstruction until the cancer is fully treated. Dr. Schlaudraff will be there to support you in making the choice that makes sense for you.
Types of Breast Reconstruction
There are a variety of breast reconstruction techniques available including those that use synthetic implants, your own tissue, as well as a combination of the two. The type you choose should take into account your personal preferences, physical factors, the need/timing for adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy along with your cancer surgeon's recommendations.
Using Implants
A common reconstruction technique is replacing the breast with a silicone-filled breast implant similar to a breast augmentation procedure. This technique is often used in combination with a skin sparing mastectomy but sometimes it may require use of a tissue expander if there is not enough skin and muscle remaining to cover the implant.
Breast implants can only be used to replace the entire breast, such as after mastectomy, and are not available small enough to be used for a lumpectomy or partial mastectomy.
Using a Tissue Flap
The tissue flap technique recreates the breast using tissue from another area of your body such as the abdomen (TRAM or DIEP flap), back (latissimus dorsi flap), or buttocks. This tissue, which can include skin, muscle, and fat, remains a living part of the body that is not rejected. Surgical time and recovery time is longer than with the implant technique because there are 2 surgical sites – the breast and the donor site of the flap.
Using Cell-Enriched Fat Grafting
Breast reconstruction with cell-enriched fat grafting uses excess fat from the abdomen or thighs harvested through liposuction to rebuild or enhance the breast. Before the fat is transferred to the breast it is purified and enhanced with your own adipose-derived stem and regenerative cells (ADRCs) to help the transferred fat survive.
This type of reconstruction provides a natural way to reconstruct your breasts that is less invasive than other techniques. It can be incorporated into breast reconstruction in a variety of ways including:
- Completely reconstructing the breast after mastectomy
- Reconstructing the breast or filling out defects naturally after breast-conserving surgery (such as a lumpectomy)
- Achieving a more natural appearance after implant reconstruction by covering the implant with fat
- Correcting contour deformities or increasing the volume after tissue flap reconstruction for improved symmetry
- Improving skin quality and soft tissue coverage after mastectomy and radiotherapy (radiation)
There has been no scientific evidence linking fat grafting to the breast with or without stem and regenerative cells to the development of breast cancer or metastatic disease. Local recurrence rates after fat grafting is not changed after breast reconstruction through fat grafting, nor does the procedure interfere with future breast cancer diagnosis. To learn more, read about cell-enriched breast reconstruction, request a consultation online with Dr. Schlaudraff, or phone the office at +41-22-54-000-54.
Nipple and Areola Reconstruction
The final step in breast reconstruction is optional, yet very important to many women. Recreating the nipple and areola can make the reconstructed breast look more complete and more natural. Once your newly constructed breast has healed and you are satisfied with its shape and size, your nipple and areola can be reconstructed under local anesthesia as an office procedure.
