Breast Reconstruction

Is Breast Reconstruction Right For You?

Dr. Fairchild understands that breast reconstructive procedures improve confidence and are often viewed as the light at the end of the tunnel during or following cancer x Trusted Source Long-term impact of breast reconstruction on quality of life among breast cancer patients Tkachenko GA, Arslanov KhS, Iakovlev VA, Blokhin SN, Shestopalova IM, Portnoĭ SM, Poddubnaia IV Go to Source treatment. Breast cancer patients in remission have accomplished a monumental feat, and Dr. Fairchild is passionate about helping them restore confidence with breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Women desiring breast reconstruction can sometimes choose the timing of their surgery. Many include reconstruction with their mastectomy, while others undergo reconstruction once breast cancer treatment is complete and they have healed from mastectomy surgery. During consultation, Dr. Fairchild will take a comprehensive medical history along with a physical examination. Her findings will help determine an optimal treatment plan to achieve the patient’s desired breast reconstruction results.

Direct-To-Implant Breast Reconstruction

Dr. Fairchild’s direct-to-implant breast reconstruction generally requires less recovery time than autologous flap procedures. Breast reconstruction using breast implants is performed with techniques similar to those used in Dr. Fairchild’s traditional breast augmentation procedures using silicone implants.

Direct-to-implant procedures are often performed by Dr. Fairchild immediately following mastectomy in what’s referred to as immediate reconstruction. This may be the only reconstructive surgery required for some patients, while others may need a staged approach with fat grafting.

Expanders Followed By Implants

Dr. Fairchild uses tissue expanders most often in delayed reconstruction procedures. In staged breast reconstruction procedures, Dr. Fairchild will place tissue expanders in the breast pocket on the chest wall at the time of mastectomy. The expanders are inflated in her clinic over a period of weeks to allow the overlying skin to stretch and accommodate an implant or autologous tissue. Tissue expanders are exchanged for breast implants or replaced with flaps in a subsequent procedure.

Tissue expanders work by slowly expanding over time to stretch the breast skin enough to accommodate silicone or saline breast implants or flaps. Once Dr. Fairchild determines that the skin has been stretched sufficiently, the tissue expanders are surgically removed and replaced with the reconstructed breasts. Dr. Fairchild has done extensive research on BIA-ALCL, and in an abundance of caution only uses smooth surface tissue expanders in her practice does not use any devices that have been linked to x Trusted Source Finding Consensus After Two Decades of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Seminars in Plastic Surgery Go to Source BIA-ALCL.

Lumpectomy Reconstruction

Lumpectomy procedures can leave patients with deflation, asymmetry, or various other aesthetic concerns. Lumpectomy reconstruction, or oncoplastic reconstruction is a breast surgery that restores shape and symmetry following lumpectomy, so patients can achieve their ideal silhouette.

Breast Symmetry Reconstruction

Dr. Fairchild offers several procedures that are designed to improve breast symmetry enabling patients to feel confident and minimize physical reminders of their illness. Patients who require breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy on a single breast can have surgery on both breasts to ensure a symmetrical aesthetic outcome.