Mercy’s Dr. Brendan Collins Discusses Types of Breast Reconstructive Surgery

There are several options for those considering breast reconstruction.

Implants made from saline or silicone typically last between 12 and 15 years—or one may want to use their own tissue.

According to Brendan J. Collins, M.D., a specialist in breast reconstruction, cosmetic medicine and plastic surgery at The Breast Reconstruction and Restoration Center and Cosmetic Medicine and Surgery at Mercy (both divisions of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Mercy), the most common donor site for using one's own tissue is from the abdomen. But for anyone thinking about having children, Dr. Collins suggests an implant-based reconstruction.

When it comes to having a mastectomy, some people opt to undergo reconstruction immediately after that, while others wait.

“The upside to an immediate reconstruction is that we can really preserve most of the skin of the breast. So, the shape is oftentimes better when we can do an immediate reconstruction. Some patients, however, they really are not great candidates for immediate reconstruction. If they have a more advanced breast cancer and more skin needs to be removed, or we’re concerned about the potential for local recurrence, then in that situation, delayed reconstruction is probably more appropriate,” Dr. Collins said.

Recover from a breast reconstruction surgery is typically around four to six weeks.

View Mercy plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Brendan Collins’ interview regarding different types of breast reconstruction.