Unilateral Breast Reduction + Reconstruction?

asked 1 year ago by Christine Lake Charles in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Latest answer by Richard Baxter, MD
Question viewed 126 times
Tags: combination, reduction

When I reduce right breast, can you use the skin and tissue to reconstruct the left breast, that was removed 5 yrs ago?

11 answers to Unilateral Breast Reduction + Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction with tissue from opposite breast is not an option

It may not seem like a bad idea to take tissue from a breast that needs to be reduced anyway and use it to make a breast on the mastectomy side, but it just isn't possible. The good news is that breast reconstruction techniques have improved a lot in recent years, so for example if you had a tissue expander and alloderm graft it would be 2 outpatient surgeries, one of which would be combined with the reduction.

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Breast reconstruction

I would not move breast tissue from one side to the other. It is not possible to keep it alive. Not blood supply. The skin from the reducted breast is not needed. Either tissue expansion or an autologous flap are better.

David L. Abramson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

You cannot use the tissue from one breast to reconstruct the other.

Unfortunately, we cannot use the tissue from one breast to reconstruct the other. However, in select cases, the nipple reconstruction may be aided by using the normal nipple from the unaffected breast (known as a "composite nipple" reconstruction).

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Breast reduction vs reconstruction

There really is no way to use tissue from one breast during a reduction to reconstruct the other breast.One might take tissue from the larger breast thru liposuction and use it to augment the other breast but this remains controversial.

Robert Brueck, MD
Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

www.beauty-by-brueck.com

Breast reconstruction on One Side and Breast Reduction on the Other Side- A common Combination

While using breast skin and/or breast tissue from one breast to reconstruct the other breast is not a good idea, there are many ways to use natural tissue to reconstruct your other breast. In fact, reconstruction of the absent breast can be done at the same time as the breast reduction surgery. The most sophisticated methods of natural tissue breast reconstruction are known as perforator flaps. The DIEP flap is the most commonly utilized method of perforator flap breast... more

David Greenspun, MD, MSc
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.davidgreenspunmd.com

Tissue from one breast cannot be used to reconstruct the other

Hi there- It would be neat if what you suggest were possible, but it is unfortunately not. Achieving symmetry in situations like yours can be challenging- find a surgeon with a lot of experience and training in breast reconstruction and discuss your options.

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

Unilateral Breast Reduction + Reconstruction?

Tough question but best to see at least 3 in person boarded PS in your area. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast surgery

If you need a reduction on one side, the tissue can not be used to reconstruct the opposit breast. But there are many ways to reconstruct the opposite breast if it is absent.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction in contralateral breast reconstruction

Interesting question since there was a procedure many years ago perfected by my mentor, Dr. Millard, using this concept. A tubed pedicle flap consisting of the opposite good breast tissue was transfered to the opposite mastectomy side in a series of operations. This is hardly ever done although still a viable alternative in very, very, very rare situations when no other alternatives are available.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Breast reconstruction

Tissue removed during breast reduction is NOT used for breast reconstruction of the oppsite side. There are many options available for breast reconstruction. Discuss your options with a BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON (AMERICAN BOARD OF PLASTIC SURGERY)

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Using tissue from one breast to reconstruct the other side is not an options

Unfortunately, we do not recommend taking breast tissue from one side to reconstruction the other side post mastectomy. If you are seeking a reconstruction using your own tissue, and you are a candidate for delayed reconstruction, I would recommend either a DIEP or TRAM flap or a latissimus flap + implant. If you have excess skin and fat in your lower abdomen, I would guide you to a DIEP free flap procedure. It essentially harvests the excess skin and fat in your lower... more