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Breast Reconstruction

Introduction to Breast Reconstruction

A breast cancer diagnosis can be frightening and overwhelming. However, today’s advanced reconstructive techniques provide a highly authentic chest appearance after surgery, elevating patient confidence and overall quality of life. Dr. Olatomide (Tomi) Familusi is a patient-centric aesthetic authority in reconstructive procedures who provides a warm, compassionate practice environment where patients enjoy elevated hospitality and unmatched results. If you’re interested in breast reconstruction surgery in the greater Atlanta, GA, area, please contact us to schedule a consultation.

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What is Breast Reconstruction?

In the United States, one in every eight women will be diagnosed with the deadly disease of breast cancer. Breast reconstruction (mammaplasty) is a surgical procedure to recreate aesthetically pleasing breasts after mastectomy or lumpectomy. The surgery is ideal not only for those with a recent diagnosis of cancer but also for patients who are at high risk of developing breast cancer in the future.

Breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after mastectomy to provide a seamless transition or at a later date after the patient has healed both physically and emotionally from breast cancer. Reconstruction can help women reclaim their appearance, well-being, and confidence after successfully overcoming the challenging ordeal of breast cancer.

What Are the Benefits of Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction comes with a wealth of physical and psychological benefits, including the following:

  • Helps restore a sense of normalcy after mastectomy or lumpectomy
  • Creates a natural, symmetrical breast appearance
  • Improves the fit of bras, swimwear, tops, and dresses
  • Provides enhanced balance and proportion in the figure
  • Enhances confidence and well-being
  • Can be performed using implants or autologous tissue
  • Can be performed immediately after mastectomy/lumpectomy or at a later date

Who Are the Best Candidates For Breast Reconstruction?

Almost every patient who has undergone mastectomy or lumpectomy will qualify for breast reconstruction, provided that the cancer has been completely removed and that the patient is otherwise healthy and free from any uncontrolled medical concerns. Breast reconstruction is often offered immediately after mastectomy. This provides many psychological benefits for the patient, as it allows them to wake up with fully restored, natural-looking breasts.

On the other hand, if the patient has had radiation therapy, it may be advisable to undergo breast reconstruction at a later time after the body has healed. In this case, a tissue expander may be required to create a temporary breast mound where the implants can later be placed. There are advantages to both immediate and delayed reconstruction, and Dr. Familusi can discuss your options with you during your private consultation in Sandy Springs, GA. Dr. Familusi will work closely with your breast cancer treatment team (oncologic breast surgeon, medical oncologist, and radiation oncologist) to determine the ideal timing for surgery.

Factors that can make you a suitable candidate for breast reconstruction include:

  • You suffer from a negative body image after breast cancer
  • You have lost breast tissue due to an accident or injury
  • You suffer from congenital breast deformities (excluding tuberous breasts)
  • You are realistic in your expectations for your results
  • You are in good overall physical and mental health
  • You are a non-smoker
  • If you are pursuing flap reconstruction, you have adequate donor tissue available.
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Let’s Get Started

What’s the first step?

The first step with breast reconstruction is to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Familusi in Atlanta, GA. During this initial meeting, she will review your medical history, evaluate you physically, and discuss your goals and wishes for reconstruction. Prior to surgery, you may be asked to undergo specific tests and to discontinue medications that might interfere with your procedure or its recovery, such as aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs. If you smoke, you will need to quit several months before your breast reconstruction.

It is wise to schedule a helper ahead of time to drive you home and assist you with basic care for the first 48 hours after your procedure. You should also prepare your personal space with comfortable pillows, reading materials, and any other supplies you will need during recovery.

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What to Expect on the Day of Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Breast reconstruction is typically performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia. Treatment is highly customized and may require more than one procedure to complete. After surgery, you may need a brief hospital stay to ensure your healing process is progressing smoothly.  

  • Implant Reconstruction– As the most common surgical technique used for breast reconstruction, implant reconstruction involves placing saline or silicone implants in the chest capsules to recreate the breast mounds. Benefits include the fact that the surgeon can use the same incision as was created during mastectomy, eliminating the need for an extra scar, and the fact that recovery time is shorter than with flap reconstruction. 

There are some drawbacks, however. After mastectomy, there may not be enough breast tissue available to cover the implants. In this case, the surgeon may need to use a tissue expander to stretch the skin so it can accommodate the implants. The tissue expander is placed beneath the skin and pec muscles. It gradually expands like a balloon that is filled with saltwater over the course of several months. Once there is enough skin available to perform implant surgery, the tissue expander is removed and replaced with implants. The nipple-areolar complex is then reconstructed at a later date. 

  • Autologous Tissue (Flap) Reconstruction – If the patient does not wish to undergo reconstruction with implants, there is the option of using autologous tissue to reform the breast mounds. Donor tissue can be extracted from the stomach, thighs, back, or another area and then transferred to the chest to create a natural-looking bust. Flap surgery typically requires advanced surgical techniques, which can include microsurgery and nerve grafting. 

The benefit of this approach is that changes are permanent, and there is no need to replace the implants in the future. For those who don’t have enough skin to successfully undergo implant reconstruction, flap transfer is an excellent alternative. Additionally, patients do not encounter any of the risks associated with implants, such as rupture, capsular contracture, or implant migration. The downside of flap reconstruction is that there may be more visible scarring after surgery. Recovery also takes longer, as two areas of the body must heal rather than just one.

Breast Reconstruction Recovery

Upon waking from breast reconstruction surgery in Atlanta, patients will find their breasts encased in a compression garment, which helps to reduce swelling and keep the new breast shape intact. If flap reconstruction was performed, the donor regions of the body will also be fitted with surgical dressings. Dr. Familusi will provide prescription pain medications to help ease any discomfort, as well as a detailed aftercare plan with instructions for wound care, bathing and showering, sleeping, resuming exercise, and returning to work.

Swelling, bruising, and tenderness will peak during the first few days after surgery and then slowly subside. It will be difficult to lift your arms overhead at first, so you will likely need the assistance of a friend, family member, or other supportive adult. In general, patients who underwent implant reconstruction will return to normal activities faster than those who opted for flap reconstruction.

Transparent Pricing

How Much Does Breast Reconstruction Cost in Atlanta, GA?

In October of 1998, Congress passed the “Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act” mandating health insurance coverage for reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Depending on your specific insurance plan and deductible limits, you may have some out-of-pocket costs assigned to you by the insurance company.

*Our team can help you navigate using your health insurance and obtaining financing for your procedure. Our goal is always to provide outstanding care in a safe, empowering environment.

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Why Choose Dr. Familusi?

Dr. Olatomide (Tomi) Familusi is a gifted, compassionate plastic and reconstructive surgeon who practices active and empathetic listening to assess each patient’s unique vision for their physique. As an Ivy League and Fellowship-trained expert, she focuses on seamless, natural-looking outcomes that enhance appearance while providing a more positive self-image. Each one-of-a-kind treatment plan is success-oriented, taking into account the patient’s anatomy, concerns, comfort levels, and lifestyle, while every result is beautifully tailored to the individual with precision and the utmost attention to detail. Dr. Familusi is board-certified through the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

Breast Reconstruction FAQ’S

Schedule Your Consultation

Many patients find it helpful to begin considering breast reconstruction right away after their breast cancer diagnosis. Through the consultation process, Dr. Familusi will develop the ideal strategy for delivering a successful, aesthetically pleasing result, working with your oncologist and other members of your treatment team to provide seamless, stress-free care.

During your initial meeting with Dr. Familusi, she will discuss the different reconstruction options with you, immediate vs. delayed reconstruction, and any other topics that allow you to form realistic expectations for the treatment process. After your consultation, you will thoroughly understand the risks and benefits of breast reconstruction and be able to plan ahead financially, having received a transparent overview of the costs involved.

Schedule a Consultation

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