Before and after bilateral breast reconstruction revision in a 51-year-old breast cancer survivor. After a right skin-sparing (non-nipple sparing) mastectomy and a left nipple-sparing mastectomy ten years earlier, she underwent implant reconstructions under the muscle. Her implants were tight and painful; she never sought nipple reconstruction since she was not happy with her reconstruction results.
She eventually felt ready for a revision of her breast reconstruction once she learned that her muscles could be reconstructed, and she could have new implants placed on top of the muscle. Her revision involved just that – conversion of her submuscular implants to prepectoral, on top of the muscle. New smooth round silicone gel breast implants were placed.
At the same time, a left-to-right free nipple graft was performed to reconstruct the right nipple, using the “nipple sharing” technique. Lastly, medical tattoo created a new areolar circle on the right and to brighten the left nipple for symmetry.
Follow up photos are shown 1 year after surgery. She is grateful that converting her implants to on top of the muscle and resuming activities such as tennis, golf and weightlifting was possible for her!
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
