Patient 15 Gallery

Before and after delayed breast implant reconstruction following right lumpectomy and radiation therapy in a 63-year-old breast cancer survivor. Radiation unfortunately accentuates the empty space (known as “dead space”) resulting from breast cancer removal. This patient had deformity and loss of volume of the right breast due to breast cancer treatment, and significant asymmetry of her breasts. She had previously considered a breast augmentation for significantly fuller breasts – this was her perfect opportunity!

Placing breast implants after radiation is not contraindicated (recommended against); however, it requires careful attention to detail as radiation causes permanent changes in the breast such as decreased blood supply and increased risk of complications such as infection and capsular contracture.

This patient’s implant reconstruction involved placement of smooth round permanent postoperatively adjustable implants on top of the muscle in the “prepectoral”/subglandular position. The implant successfully expanded the contracted right breast envelope and recreated a more normal shape to the breast. It was filled with saline to its full size at the time of implant placement. A single inflation of saline in the office allowed for even better symmetry at the three-month postoperative point, prior to removal of the implant ports.

A balancing left augmentation was done at the same time for the very best symmetry. Follow up photos are shown 6 months after surgery and three months after the temporary implant ports were removed.

For more information on these special implants used for breast reconstruction, click here. It is indeed possible to place full-sized silicone gel breast implants for reconstruction as an alternative to adjustable saline implants – which implant is recommended depends on the final size of reconstruction desired, degree of radiation damage, and other patient factors.