Oklahoma Plastic Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

Breast Reconstruction Oklahoma City

Breast cancer seems to be affecting more women and at younger ages all the time. Absorbing the initial shock of being diagnosed with cancer and planning the appropriate treatment strategy is a daunting task in itself. Depending upon the woman’s choice of treatment and her specific situation, she may have the option of breast reconstruction. Oklahoma City breast cancer survivors have been electing to have breast and nipple reconstruction surgery in record numbers.

Breast reconstruction surgery can be as important as the vital component of removing the malignancy. The reconstruction procedure accelerates both the emotional and physical healing process necessary for a complete recovery from the loss of the breast. By recreating the natural contour of the breast through either a prosthesis or use of one’s own body tissue, the staged reconstruction process can literally make the patient look and feel ‘normal’ again.

As stated, each patient has unique characteristics so it is important for her to consult with her team of physicians to formulate a seamless and coordinated game plan of treatment. Physicians typically include her family physician or OB/GYN, general surgeon, plastic/reconstructive surgeon, and oncologist (if chemotherapy and/or radiation are necessary). These physicians will stay in contact with one another to monitor the patient’s progress and needs. It is also important that the patient become quickly educated regarding the journey upon which she is about to embark. A strong system of family and friends is vital to ensure an accelerated recovery period for the breast cancer patient. This team of caregivers will truly make a difference.

When looking for a breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, Oklahoma women turn to Dr. Tim Love. With more than 30years experience, he helps them regain the body they once had. For the breast reconstruction surgery, Oklahoma City patients can expect to have the natural contour and shape of their breast back through the use of a prosthetic breast or their own natural tissue.

Timing of your reconstruction

When timing your breast reconstruction, Oklahoma cancer survivors have the option of having the procedure preformed immediately following their mastectomy or at a later date.

Many women opt for the breast reconstruction after mastectomy—OKC breast cancer survivors can enjoy the benefit of never having to go with out a breast. Some women may have to wait until all therapy treatment is done in order to proceed with the reconstruction.

Reconstruction choices

There are two main types of breast and nipple reconstruction—Oklahoma City-based Dr. Tim Love is proud to offer both options to his patients. The chosen approach will depend upon the individual patient’s situation. The new breast will either be created by the use of a prosthesis (breast implant) or the patient’s own tissues (tissue flap). An implant is a fluid-filled breast form, which will be surgically implanted under the chest tissues to create a new breast. A tissue flap is a section of skin, fat and muscle which is removed from either the stomach, back or other area, and transferred to the chest area. It is then shaped into a new breast.

Reconstruction using breast implants

The most common approach used is that of using breast implants. They offer a shorter recuperative time and cause less trauma and stress to the body as compared to the tissue flap approach. The implant itself consists of a silicone gel shell filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water). The patient should first become comfortable with the data available regarding the use of silicone materials. Oklahoma City plastic surgeon Dr. Tim love will have these materials on hand for your review.

Stage One: Tissue Expansion

Because the mastectomy procedure requires the removal of both skin and breast tissue, the remaining chest tissue is left flat and tight. For the patient’s body to be able to accommodate a permanent breast implant of desired size, the placement of a temporary tissue expander must first be employed. This may be done during the immediate reconstruction procedure or later if the patient has delayed reconstruction.

The tissue expander itself is a silicone rubber, balloon-like device inserted into the body deflated. It is then periodically inflated with sterile saline fluid through a filling port. Over time, as the tissue expander begins to stretch, a new breast shaped pocket is created to hold the permanent implant. This periodic expansion process usually begins about three weeks following the initial tissue expander placement and continues for six to ten weeks. The patient usually experiences some pressure and discomfort following the expansion which subsides as her tissue expands.

Stage Two: Breast Implant Placement

The second surgery occurs once the tissue expander has served its purpose of adequately creating the desired breast size and shape to hold a permanent implant. This outpatient procedure includes the removal of the tissue expander and placement of permanent implant. The type of implant used will be evaluated with your plastic surgeon. A variety of sizes, shapes and textures are available to suit specific patient needs.

Stage Three: Nipple Areola Reconstruction

Since the nipple is typically removed during mastectomy to ensure the absence of cancer cells, it too, must be reconstructed. About three to six weeks following the permanent implant placement surgery, this third outpatient surgery is performed. Either a small skin graft or part of the nipple from the opposite breast is used. The areola (dark circle around the nipple) may be reconstructed with a skin graft or by tattooing the area to match the areola of the opposite breast.

Stage Four: Tattooing

The final stage of breast reconstruction involves tattooing the nipple areola to match the patient’s original natural color. This tattooing procedure is typically done in the plastic surgeon’s office under localized anesthetic.

Reconstruction using tissue flaps

The breast may also be reconstructed by surgically removing a section of skin, fat and muscle from one part of the body and repositioning it to the chest area. This approach is often used when the patient has undergone radiation treatment which has resulted in damaged tissue not suitable for expansion. It is also used when extra tissue coverage is needed over the breast implant. The tissue may be taken from the abdomen, upper back, upper hip or buttocks. The reconstructed breast may then be created from the tissue flap alone or from the flap plus a breast implant.

The tissue flap may either be left attached to the blood supply and moved to the breast area through a tunnel under the skin (a pedicled flap), or it may be removed completely and reattached to the breast area by microsurgical techniques (a free flap).

Either flap technique is considered a major surgery, which requires a multi-day hospital stay. This procedure is more extensive than the mastectomy and requires good health and strong emotional motivation. A patient who is overweight, smokes and has circulatory problems may not be a good candidate for this procedure.

The most common flaps are the TRAM (transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous) flap, from the abdomen, and the Latissimus dorsi flap, taken from the upper back.

The TRAM flap (pedicle or free) removes a section of tissue from the abdomen and moves it to the chest to reconstruct the breast. It is sometimes referred to as the “tummy tuck” reconstruction since it may leave the stomach area flatter. This procedure takes about six hours and may require a blood transfusion. Hospital stay is two to five days with a six to eight week recuperation period.

The Latissimus dorsi flap makes use of thinner and smaller tissue from the back area. Due to the type of tissue used here, an implant may be used under the flap to provide more volume and shape to the reconstructed breast. This procedure takes two to four hours with a two to three day hospital stay. Recuperation period is two to three weeks.

Once the patient undergoes the flap procedure, she resumes the above mentioned stages of reconstruction (stages three and four).

Other fine tuning

Many women will have only one breast removed during the mastectomy. Getting both sides to look symmetrical may be difficult due to aging or sagging when undergoing breast reconstruction; Oklahoma law ensures women the right to have symmetrical breasts. This may be accomplished by undergoing procedures such as a breast lift(mastopexy), breast reduction, or enlargement (augmentation mammoplasty). Also, using the woman's own fat cells (fat grafting) is an effective technique to enhance visible results.