Some radiated breasts can be reconstructed with implant alone.

George J. Beraka, MD answers: Help with choosing method for breast reconstruction, lift and implants?

I need to make up my mind regarding breast reconstruction, with breast implants and breast lift. I have gone to different plastic surgeons. I am 50 years old and weigh 104 lbs. I have no fat in my stomach.

I had a mastectomy in January followed by radiation. I would like to have reconstruction on one side and a definite lift on the other. One doctor says do the one step latissimus dorsi with implants on both sides; the other says do a deip flap muscle sparing. Who is right?


George J. Beraka, MD
1 month ago

Hi!

1)   At 104 pounds, I doubt that you have enough excess abdominal tissue for a DIEP flap.  So, without examining you, I would say the latissimus flap sounds better.

2)  If there are no radiation changes in your skin, we sometimes do breast reconstruction in radiated patients  just with an implant under the chest muscles, without any flaps.   We have had good results in selected patients, and of course it is much less invasive surgery. 

3)  On the other side, you need a breast lift with or without an implant.

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