Before and after left breast delayed reconstruction with a DIEP flap and right balancing breast augmentation in a 53-year-old breast cancer survivor. Her cancer treatment included a left simple mastectomy without chemotherapy or radiation. She was not offered the option to save her nipple or breast skin, nor was breast reconstruction discussed with her at the time of diagnosis – this breaks our heart!
Her reconstruction involved a left breast reconstruction that transplanted skin and fat from her lower abdomen (a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap) to the chest based on one tiny artery and two tiny veins; they were dissected under magnification and then disconnected from the abdominal donor site and reconnected beside the second rib at sternum under the operating microscope using reconstructive microsurgery.
A balancing right breast augmentation and lift (mastopexy) served to give our patient the breast fullness, perkiness and ultimate aesthetic outcome she desired. We encourage our breast reconstruction patients to view their reconstructive surgery as their “Mommy Makeover” if they are mothers, a “breast cancer makeover” if they are not, or simply to help them reach their individual goals for their bodies as a side benefit of breast reconstruction.
At a secondary procedure, left nipple reconstruction was performed using the local flap technique and medical tattoo created a new areolar circle. Follow up photos are shown 5 years after surgery. She is grateful that she found our practice and visits with us now every five years for long-term follow up.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
