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Breast Lift After Lumpectomy and Radiation?

Can a breast lift be done after a lumpectomy and radiation?

Doctor Answers 4

Breast Lift After Lumpectomy and Radiation?

February 15th, 2013
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Yes it can be done, but requires the most careful judgement. It depends on the condition of the tissues, the amount and kind of lift required, the areas of scar and irradiation. 

Consulting with a surgeon with considerable experience is essential. All the best. 

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD

Breast Lift after Lumpectomy and Radiation

August 7th, 2012
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Yes, breast lift can be performed on a patient who has had a lumpectomy with radiation, however it needs to be done very carefully and conservatively. The lumpectomy and radiation have an adverse affect on the blood supply to nipple areola complex.

Scott Loessin, MD

Scott Loessin, MD
Key West Plastic Surgeon
4.6 out of 5 stars 84 reviews

Breast LIft afar Lumpectomy and Radiation

June 26th, 2012
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Without seeing you in person and knowing more about the procedures that you have already had, it is hard to give you specific advice.  However, after radiation, it is sometimes better to treat any defects with fat grafting, which can give a very natural look.

 

Good Luck.

Web reference: http://www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

David Shafer, MD

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 72 reviews

Can a breast lift be done after breast cancer treatment with surgery and radiotherapy?

June 26th, 2012
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I would be very cautious about advising a breast lift following breast cancer surgery and radiotherapy. The key issue is the long term effect of the radiotherapy on your breast. 

Radiotherapy reduces blood supply and increases scarring. It is the blood supply that can potentially have devastating effects on further surgery to that breast. Your risk of wound healing complications and infection is significantly increased, as well as the risk to your nipple. 

Some people may still be candidates for this operation if they do not need a significant breast lift and the radiotherapy site is away from the nipple area of the breast. Therefore the best thing to do is to get an opinion (or two!) of plastic surgeons with a special interest in breast plastic surgery.

Good luck with your search

 

Marc Pacifico, MD, FRCS(Plast)

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.