Before and after bilateral reconstruction revision in a 54-year-old breast cancer survivor. She previously had undergone bilateral areola-sparing mastectomies (with removal of her nipples for some reason) and tissue expander reconstruction under the muscle. She had chronic tightness of her chest and found exercise excruciating.
Her revision involved removal of the tissue expanders, replacement of her pectoralis major muscles to her chest wall, recreation of the original mastectomy space, and insertion of smooth round silicone gel breast implants on top of the muscle, in the prepectoral position. Liposuction removed excess unwanted fat from her armpits and bra rolls – known as the axillary rolls.
Follow up photos are shown 4 months after surgery. The tight pulling sensation was complexly gone when she awoke from surgery, which took two and a half hours as an outpatient procedure. She had drains again for a week and took one month off exercise and lifting more than 5 pounds. She appreciated learning about her options for nipple reconstruction, but she loves to not wear a bra and to hide her formerly large and protruding nipples!
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
