Immediate breast reconstruction

Steven H. Schuster, MD answers: Mastectomy and breast reconstruction - Can the procedures be combined?

My mom gets really painful cysts in her breasts constantly.  It's not cancer, but she is tired of having tons of biopsies and plans to have a mastectomy later this year.  From what I recall when my grandmother (my dad's mom) had a mastectomy due to breast cancer, she had to wait some time before having the breast reconstruction.  But I was wondering if there is any way the two procedures could be done in succession, during the same surgery session, in cases like this where there is no breast cancer involved.


Steven H. Schuster, MD
1 month ago
By Steven H. Schuster, MD - Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

 Now a days, it is very common to have immediate reconstruction following a breast removal.  In your mom's case she would probably be seen by a general surgeon or breast surgeon who would do the removal and then immediately after the removal would have the reconstruction.  Very often no expander is needed and an implant can be placed without the need for expansion.

There are other types of procedures including the tummy tuck or TRAM flap reconstruction which can also be done but this is to be discussed with your doctor.  Schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your mom's possibilities so at the very least you will have an understanding of what is involved and what the treatment and result can be.

Steven Schuster MD FACS

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