(757) 496-5556 Breast cancer may require surgical intervention, meaning undergoing a mastectomy that removes cancerous breast tissue. However, this could result in a significant loss of breast tissue and skin for either one or both breasts. Breast reconstruction options in Virginia Beach offer an extensive selection of surgical approaches to best suit your unique medical and cosmetic needs.
In addition to breast reconstruction surgery, other procedures are available at Galardi | Bowen Plastic Surgery for additional enhancements, such as lifting or a reduction. Therefore, schedule a breast reconstruction consultation with our talented plastic surgeons to discuss the different methods, benefits, and possible results.
Surgical Approaches for Breast Reconstruction
In Virginia Beach, Galardi | Bowen Plastic Surgery has various approaches to breast reconstruction that differ in their surgical methods, recovery periods, and results.
Direct-to-Implant
A direct-to-implant reconstruction involves inserting breast implants within the chest during a mastectomy procedure. This approach is suitable for patients who do not need tissue expanders to stretch the skin and muscles to accommodate breast implants.
Tissue Expander with Implant
Typically, patients need tissue expanders that are breast implants filled with saline for six to eight weeks before breast reconstruction surgery. The tissue expanders allow the breast muscles and skin to stretch, making room for permanent implants. After the required period of use for the expanders, they are replaced during an additional surgery with permanent breast implants.
Autologous Transfers
Breast reconstruction with autologous transfers utilizes fat, tissue, and skin from other areas to recreate breasts. Typically, the body tissue is from places that carry excess tissue, such as the abdomen, back, buttocks, or inner thighs. Afterward, the body tissue is formed into an ideal breast shape and surgically placed onto the chest.
Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap (TRAM)
TRAM surgery uses an incision along the bikini line to remove skin, fat, and muscle from the abdomen and reconstruct breasts, like an autologous transfer. However, this approach uses portions of the abdominal muscles, so it is vital to determine how much of the muscle will be used during surgery.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap
During a latissimus dorsi flap procedure for breast reconstruction, the skin, fat, and muscle come from a patient’s back near the shoulder blade. Afterward, the body tissue is moved to the chest and formed into a breast mount, like TRAM or autologous transfer surgeries.
Alternative Options for Breast Surgery
In addition to breast reconstruction surgery in Virginia Beach, several additional procedures could provide supplementary benefits. For example, a breast lift procedure could reduce excess breast sagging due to decreased skin elasticity and aging. Additionally, a breast augmentation using implants by correct breast asymmetry if a previous mastectomy affected only one breast.
Alternatively, a patient may choose to undergo a breast reduction to fix breast asymmetry by reducing the unaffected breast tissue. Therefore, several surgical options are available at Galardi | Bowen Plastic Surgery that enhance breast reconstruction results and correct breast asymmetry after mastectomy procedures.
Learn More About Breast Reconstruction Surgery Options in Virginia Beach
Choosing the best breast reconstruction options in Virginia Beach depends on your aesthetic goals and unique features. In addition to reconstruction procedures, you may choose to undergo additional surgeries to enhance your new breast contours further. Schedule a breast reconstruction consultation at Galardi | Bowen Plastic Surgery to discuss the surgical options and determine which approach best suits your needs.