Before and after bilateral mastectomies and DIEP flap breast reconstructions in a 45 year old woman with breast cancer. Her goal was to be lifted and to use her own tissue for reconstruction. She had a long vertical abdominal scar that thankfully did not inhibit our ability to use her abdominal fat for breast reconstruction.
Her mastectomies were planned using a breast lift approach. Her nipples and areolas were first removed and saved for reconstruction at the end of the surgery. Skin and fat from her lower abdomen was used to rebuild her breasts in a higher and lifted position on the chest.
The skin was closed as in a breast lift, and the nipples and areolas were reapplied on the breast mound as free nipple-areola grafts. These often heal with lighter pigmentation that can be touched up by medical tattoo.
Follow up photos are shown 2 years after surgery. She had increased fullness of her breasts due to our reconstruction technique, and she appreciates not needing breast implants. Only a small length of her former abdominal scar is visible in the lower abdomen now.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
