Breast reconstruction restores a natural, symmetrical appearance to the bosom, maintains body proportion, allows clothes to fit better, and most important of all, boosts self-confidence for women who have lost one or both breasts to mastectomy or who lack breasts due to a congenital or developmental abnormality.
Goal of Breast Reconstruction
Reconstructive surgeons strive to create a new breast and nipple that resemble the woman’s natural breast as closely as possible in shape, size and position.
Ideal Candidates for Breast Reconstruction
Women whose cancer seems to have been eradicated with mastectomy are the best candidates for breast reconstruction. Those with health problems such as obesity and high blood pressure and those who smoke are advised to wait. Others prefer to postpone surgery as they come to terms with having cancer, consider the extent of the procedure, or explore alternatives.
Breast Reconstruction Procedure
The reconstruction itself consists of multiple operations, the first of which involves creation of the breast mound and is performed during or after mastectomy in a hospital under general anesthesia. Later surgeries, if necessary, may be done in the hospital or an outpatient facility, with either general or local anesthesia.
DIEP Flap Breast Reconstruction
Natural Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Reconstructive breast surgery is an important option for women who have undergone breast cancer treatment that included the removal of breast tissue. Reconstruction can provide these patients with a sense of their return to health and well-being.
Breasts can be reconstructed either naturally, using your own tissue, or by placing an implant to shape the breast. The all natural method is the preferred type of breast reconstruction performed in the United States today. The version that is ideal for many women is called the DIEP flap, which stands for deep inferior epigastric perforator, named after the main blood vessel that runs through the tissue used to reconstruct the breast.
The DIEP Flap Reconstruction Technique
This technique uses only your own skin, fat and blood vessels to reconstruct the breast. The tissue is removed from the lower portion of the abdomen, between the waist and hips. It is then transferred to the breast in order to create a new breast mound.
The DIEP is called a “free” flap because the tissue is completely detached from the belly and then reattached to the chest area. Connecting the blood vessels from the abdominal tissue to the chest blood vessels is delicate work. It requires the use of a microscope during surgery, which is why DIEP is known as microsurgery.
For additional information on DIEP Breast Reconstruction click here.
Schedule A Breast Reconstruction Consultation
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Orseck, or for more information on Breast Reconstruction, contact us today!
Spartanburg: 864-560-6717
Greenville: 864-849-9330
