Increase Breast Size Through Reconstruction After Mastectomy?

Is it possible to increase breast size with reconstruction following a mastectomy? Will it increase both breasts, even though only one will be removed? I will have enough tissue left after mastectomy and will be using expander and saline breast implants. My current size is full B/Small C; want to go to full D to DD.

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B to DD cup bigger breast size

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by Savannah1950 in Georgia

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Reconstruction options

My philosophy is to afford the patient going through mastectomy for breast cancer all the benefits of a patient going through cosmetic augmentation so that her quality of life can be actually enhanced following cancer treatment. This means trying to understand and listen to what a particular patient desires. If you want to be larger, the treatment of your cancer and the reconstructive options might need to be altered to achieve your goal. There is rarely only one way to treat breast... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Using Reconstruction to Increase Breast Size after Mastectomy

In many cases, it is possible to increase your final breast size while undergoing mastectomy and reconstruction. Your surgeon needs to evaluate your skin characteristics to determine how much fullness can be achieved. However, it is possible to increase your breast size by one or two cups by adding an implant on the side opposite the mastectomy.

Breast size after mastectomy and reconstruction

You shoud discuss your desire for breast size with your plastic surgeon as "going larger" can be an option. The shape and size of your chest, and the quality of your skin after mastectomy, will help determine just how large you can safely go. If you other breast is smaller, you will need to augment that beast. Just be aware that breast augmentation surgery can affect the appearance of mammograms.

Cosmetic goals in breast cancer reconstruction

The good news is yes - Often your plastic surgeon can strive to tailor your reconstruction to achieve your goals. This is true for both implant based and autologous tissue only reconstruction. Please talk with your board certified plastic surgeon to learn more about your options and what can reasonably be achieved.

Changing Breast Size after Mastectomy - Absolutely.

If there is one nice thing about having to undergo breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, it is that you can really change your breasts if you want to. some women have always wanted to be larger or smaller, have their breasts higher or lower, etc. A surgeon should really work with you to figure out the best way to not only reconstruct the breast, but to alsoget it to the size you desire. This also includes any surgery on the opposite breast for symmetry purposes ( yes, insurance will... more

You can have larger reconstructed breast after mastectomy.

Hi. 1) You can certainly have a larger breast recostructed after mastectomy. Many of our patients in Manhatan do this. 2) We do a breast augmentation on your other breast. 3) But I advise against very big breasts, because smaller reconstructed breasts look more natural.

Breast size after mastectomy and reconstruction

If you are having tissue exapnsion and then exchange with an implant, you certainly can be larger than with what you started with. My preference is using autologous ( your own) tissue as opposed to an implant.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Tissue expansion after mastectomy; opposite side augmentation

With what you describe, your surgeon should be able to expand the tissues enough to get you to a D cup - I would be concerned about going larger than that. As skin is expanded there are potential problems in healing and subsequent skin contraction, thickness, capsular contractions, etc. Just make sure that your plastic surgeon is experienced with tissue expansion and don't be afraid to ask questions. Ask about the potential risks and complications and what he/she can do if they occur; ask... more

Breast Reconstruction

You will be undergoing tissue expander reconstruction and will have to see how things go. It is not always possible to go larger than you were before. It all depends on the quality of the skin you have left behind and see how the expanders do. If you do go larger, the insurance company generally do not cover implants to the other breast. The will cover breast reduction and breast lift performed on the opposite breast for symmetry purposes, but not an implant. Another recommendation... more