Patient 83 Gallery

Before and after bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy and immediate implant reconstruction in a 54-year-old woman with breast cancer.  She also had a history of past submuscular breast augmentation, resulting in her implants sitting far apart on her chest.  An MRI showed they were both ruptured.  She liked the idea of having implants for breast reconstruction but wanted a more natural look and a fuller breast reconstruction result.    

At the same time as her mastectomies, her old, ruptured silicone breast implants were removed, and her pectoralis major muscles were reconstructed back onto the chest wall.  New permanent, postoperatively adjustable saline-filled breast implants were inserted on top of the muscle, in the prepectoral position.  Unfortunately, some of her left breast skin became necrotic (died) due to the mastectomy skin flaps being made very thin.

She eventually healed after excision of unhealthy skin and several weeks of dressing changes and then completed several months of chemotherapy.  After she regained her strength, her hair and a good level of physical fitness, she underwent breast revision procedure to remove scar tissue from around the implant (capsulectomy) and to exchange the adjustable saline-filled breast implants for permanent high-profile silicone implants.  Her nipples were lifted and centralized on the breast reconstruction using a mastopexy, and liposuction removed excess fat from her armpits.

Follow up photos are shown 3 years after surgery.  She is very satisfied with her reconstruction results, and was grateful that the reconstruction, albeit a little rocky with healing, was completed at the same time as her cancer excision.  The area of unhealthy skin that healed with excision and wound care can be seen on the outside (lateral aspect) of her left breast.