Before and after bilateral breast reconstruction revision in a 44-year-old breast cancer survivor. She had a breast augmentation years before being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Her cancer treatment required a left lumpectomy, postoperative chemotherapy, and left breast radiation.
Her breasts had developed asymmetry due to capsular contracture, removal of the tumor and the long-term effects of radiation, which include breast shrinkage and chronic edema (tissue swelling and firmness).
This breast revision involved a bilateral capsulectomy, implant exchange to a larger implant (as per our patient’s request to be fuller than her original augmentation size), and a mastopexy (breast lift). Liposuction also removed excess fat from the bra rolls and armpits.
Follow up photos are shown one year after surgery. Note that the scars on the left breast look much nicer than the right side – this is due to radiation, which is also a treatment for problematic scars like refractory keloids. Scars on a radiated breast tend to be flatter, lighter and better quality than non-radiated scars – because of the radiation.
She is incredibly happy with her breast revision and feels much less like “a breast cancer survivor” and more like a “thriver”!
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
