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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: Breast Reconstruction
As an integral part of the nationally renowned
Weinberg Center for Women’s Health and Medicine, Mercy has assembled a team of the mid-Atlantic region’s finest physicians in all stages of breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery works closely with The Hoffberger Breast Center and the radiologists and staff of Women’s Imaging.
Although an individual choice, breast reconstruction at Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mercy attempts to restore the beauty inherent to the female form, symmetry with the opposite breast, and most importantly, a renewed sense of self and body to each woman individually.
Dr. Bernard Chang has a philosophy of care centered on the delivery of state-of-the-art breast reconstruction within a warm and friendly atmosphere. Performing more than 200 challenging tissue transfers (“flaps”) per year, Dr. Chang is among the most experienced and knowledgeable in the field.
Dr. Chang approaches reconstruction with skill and artistry, never forgetting there is a human being on the receiving end. The Center is particularly well known for its excellence in the field of breast reconstruction via the state-of-the-art techniques of DIEP flap and S-GAP tissue transfer.
Women have options for restoring their natural body contour after breast cancer. The physicians of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mercy will help you make the best choice for your individual circumstances.
DIEP Flap Reconstruction
The DIEP flap (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) represents the state-of-the-art in breast reconstruction, as it allows reconstruction of the breast using tissue that closely approximates the composition of the breast (skin and fat from the lower abdomen) without needlessly sacrificing other tissues, such as the abdominal musculature. The skin and fat (without any muscle) are completely removed from the abdomen, transferred to the chest area, and the feeding blood vessels re-connected to vessels in the armpit. The abdominal wound is closed in abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) fashion.
Most women with some quantity of lower abdominal tissue are suitable candidates for the procedure, although some types of abdominal scars necessitate the use of other options, such as the S-Gap flap.
If you wish to view photos of this procedure, please contact us.
The pre-operative instructions are individualized for each of our patients. You will be given detailed information when your surgery is scheduled. Your plastic surgeon will determine the best timeline for your reconstruction, based on your treatment plan.
The physicians of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mercy work very closely with The Hoffberger Breast Center, Medical Oncology & Hematology, and Radiation Oncology to assure you the very best care. For more information on procedures following your initial DIEP flap reconstruction, follow the links below:
S-Gap Flap Reconstruction
The S-GAP (Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator) flap is another alternative for women wishing to have breast reconstruction using their own tissue. Dr. Chang is one of the few surgeons across the country with expertise in this type of Flap procedure.
Skin and fat from the upper buttock area are removed (without muscle sacrifice) and transferred to the chest area, where the feeding blood vessels are reconnected to vessels in the chest area. The buttock area is closed with a straight-line closure.
The S-GAP is often the best option for women who are not candidates for DIEP flap reconstruction, as even the thinnest of women generally have an adequate donor area. This procedure can be done for unilateral or bilateral reconstruction.
If you wish to view photos of this procedure, please contact us.
The physicians of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mercy work very closely with The Hoffberger Breast Center, Medical Oncology & Hematology, and Radiation Oncology to assure you the very best care. For more information on procedures following your initial S-Gap flap reconstruction, follow the links below:
Revisions and Nipple Reconstruction
If necessary 8 - 12 weeks after your initial reconstruction, revisions (shaping) of your breast reconstruction are performed and any procedures desired or required to restore symmetry to the opposite breast. Nipple reconstruction then follows. It is important to allow your reconstruction to heal completely so that placement of the nipple is natural looking and complements your other breast. If you are having nipple reconstruction in our office, you will be awake and local anesthesia will be used to numb the areas involved. You can drive yourself to and from the office unless you are feeling anxious and would like to take a medication before the procedure. There are a variety of ways to accomplish nipple reconstruction. Your surgeon will explain the procedure to you completely and answer any questions you might have at your pre-operative appointment.
Nipple Tattoo
Tattooing the nipple to add a natural-looking colored areola is the final step in your reconstruction. This procedure is painless due to the numbness of your reconstructed breast. It is done in our office by Meg Joyce, PA-C.
Breast Implant Reconstruction
Your plastic surgeon will help you determine what type of breast reconstruction is right for you. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mercy works very closely with The Hoffberger Breast Center to help you make this very important decision.
If implant reconstruction is the option best suited to your needs, a breast tissue expander will be inserted under the chest muscle wall after your mastectomy. Immediately after surgery, you will have a drain in each of the affected breasts. All of your sutures will be under the skin, and you will have a layer of skin glue that resembles clear nail polish on all your incisions.
This tissue expander that is placed under your chest muscle wall is similar to a balloon with a valve. Sterile saline solution will be inserted into the expander over the course of several months. The process continues until your reconstructed breast is slightly larger than the desired final size.
Removal of Tissue Expanders and Placement of Implants
The removal of the expander followed by the insertion of a breast implant will be completed as an outpatient in our
Surgery Center. The incisions for the removal of your tissue expanders will be the same as your mastectomy incision but only part of the incision will be used. You can expect some swelling after implant placement which will cause the position of your breast(s) to appear high. This will resolve itself as the swelling subsides. The final breast implant is a silicone shell filled with either silicone gel or a salt-water solution known as saline. This type of reconstruction is a good choice for many women. Talk to the physicians of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mercy to help you make the most informed decision.
For more information on these and other reconstructive procedures, please follow the links below:
Now Accepting New Patients.
Most Insurances Accepted.
Please call for an appointment.
Phone: 410-332-9700
Tollfree: 1-800-MD-Mercy
(1-800-636-3729)
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