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Restore Form & Symmetry
Rebuilds breast shape and projection, with the goal of balance between both sides.
Breast Procedures
Breast Reconstruction in Katy & Richmond, TX
Rebuilding the shape of one or both breasts after mastectomy or lumpectomy, with implants, your own tissue, or both.
Breast reconstruction rebuilds the shape of one or both breasts after breast cancer surgery. Many women want reconstructed breasts that resemble their original breasts, though each patient can choose how she would like her results to look and feel.
If only one breast needs reconstruction, a breast lift, reduction, or augmentation can be performed on the opposite breast to improve symmetry. Choosing to undergo reconstruction is a highly personal decision and should be guided by your own desires.
Options range from staged implant reconstruction to flap procedures that use your own tissue. Designer Plastic Surgery is in Richmond, TX, and Dr. Hua sees reconstruction patients from Katy, Richmond, and Fulshear.
Overview
What Is Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction is surgery to rebuild the breast after a mastectomy (removal of the breast) or a lumpectomy (removal of part of the breast). Women who have a preventive mastectomy because of a high risk of breast cancer may also choose reconstruction.
The breast can be rebuilt with an implant, with tissue from another part of your body (a flap), or with both. Reconstruction can start at the time of mastectomy or later, and it is often done in stages.
Reconstruction is a choice. Some women decide not to have it, and that is also a valid decision. Your plan should fit your cancer treatment and your own wishes.
Benefits
Why patients choose Breast Reconstruction
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Improve Self-Image
Many women find that reconstruction helps them feel more like themselves after mastectomy.
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Multiple Techniques
Options include staged implant reconstruction and flaps that use your own tissue.
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Immediate or Delayed
Reconstruction can be performed at the same time as mastectomy or after healing and additional treatments.
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Nipple Reconstruction
Multiple techniques are available to preserve or rebuild the nipple-areolar complex.
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Use Your Own Tissue
Free-flap reconstruction can rebuild the breast using your own tissue.
Techniques
How Is Breast Reconstruction Performed?
At your consultation, Dr. Hua reviews your diagnosis, treatment plan, and goals. Chemotherapy or radiation can affect the timing and type of reconstruction, so your plan should fit with your cancer care.
Reconstruction surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia. When done with a mastectomy, it usually uses the mastectomy incision. The breast is rebuilt with an expander, an implant, or a flap, and the incisions are closed with sutures.
Expander and Implant Reconstruction
A tissue expander is temporarily placed into the breast pocket to stretch the breast skin so it can adequately cover an implant. Over several weeks, the expander is progressively filled with saline through an internal valve. Once the tissue is stretched enough, the expander is replaced with a final implant. In some patients, an implant can be placed at the time of mastectomy without an expander.
- Often a shorter initial recovery than flap surgery
- Takes longer to achieve the final result
Tissue Flap (Autologous) Reconstruction
Uses your own tissue (from the abdomen, back, or thigh) to reconstruct the breast mound or to cover an implant. Tissue may remain connected to its original blood supply and be tunneled to the chest, or be fully detached and re-attached through microsurgical anastomosis (free-flap reconstruction).
- Uses tissue from the abdomen, back, or thigh
- No implant required for many patients
- Involves a second surgical site and a longer recovery
Reconstruction After Lumpectomy
A lumpectomy can leave a dent or a change in breast shape. Options may include rearranging the remaining breast tissue at the time of the lumpectomy, or later correction with fat grafting or a flap.
Nipple & Areolar Reconstruction
A range of techniques are available to preserve, reconstruct, or tattoo the nipple and areola. This is often the final stage of reconstruction.
Combination Options
What Procedures Can Be Combined With Breast Reconstruction?
Reconstruction is often paired with procedures that improve symmetry or refine the result:
- Breast lift, breast reduction, or augmentation on the other breast to help the two sides match.
- Fat grafting, which uses liposuction to collect fat that can smooth contours.
- Breast revision to adjust an implant or reconstruction later.
Recovery
What Is Breast Reconstruction Recovery Like?
Recovery depends on the type of reconstruction and your other treatments. Dr. Hua will give you specific instructions. In general:
- Implant-based: Soreness and tightness are common at first. With an expander, fill visits continue over several weeks before the implant is placed.
- Flap: A longer operation and recovery, with healing at both the chest and the donor site.
- Activity: Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise until you are cleared, which takes longer after flap surgery.
Results
What Results Can I Expect From Breast Reconstruction?
Reconstruction aims to restore a breast shape that looks natural in clothing and balanced with the other side. The final result often takes several stages and many months.
A reconstructed breast will not look or feel exactly like your original breast. Sensation is usually reduced, there will be scars, and implants may need future surgery. Dr. Hua will talk with you about realistic goals.
Cost and Insurance
How Much Does Breast Reconstruction Cost in Katy and Richmond?
Under the federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, most group health plans and insurers that cover mastectomy must also cover reconstruction after mastectomy, including surgery on the other breast for symmetry, prostheses, and treatment of physical complications such as lymphedema. Deductibles and coinsurance may still apply.
Coverage details vary, and reconstruction after a lumpectomy may be handled differently, so check with your plan before surgery. Costs depend on the type of reconstruction, the number of stages, anesthesia, and the facility, and we review them at your consultation.
For costs not covered by insurance, financing is available through Cherry, CareCredit, and PatientFi. Learn more on our payment plans page.
Learn More
Interested in Breast Reconstruction in Katy, Richmond, or Fulshear, TX?
Whether you are planning a mastectomy or had one years ago, you can talk with Dr. Hua about your options at our office in Richmond, TX. Schedule a consultation using our online contact form or call us at (832) 930-2678.
Frequently Asked
Breast Reconstruction questions, answered
Often, yes. Reconstruction can be performed at the same time as the mastectomy (immediate) or delayed until after the patient has healed and additional cancer treatments have been completed. The right timing depends on your treatment plan.
It depends on your body, your cancer treatment, and your preferences. Implant reconstruction usually means a shorter operation and initial recovery. Flap reconstruction uses your own tissue, which can feel softer and changes with your weight, but it means a longer surgery and a second surgical site. Radiation can also affect the choice.
If only one breast is reconstructed, a lift, reduction, or augmentation can be performed on the opposite side to make the breasts as symmetric as possible.
Recovery varies depending on the technique chosen. Your surgeon will explain what to expect during your consultation.
Generally, yes, if your plan covers mastectomy. The federal Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act requires most such plans to cover reconstruction, including surgery on the other breast for symmetry. Some plans may be exempt, so check your plan before surgery.
Sensation is usually reduced after mastectomy and reconstruction, and some areas may stay numb. Some feeling may return over time, but this varies.
If your plan covers mastectomy, it generally must cover reconstruction, so your cost usually depends on your deductible and coinsurance. We discuss costs at your consultation in our Richmond office, which serves Katy and Fulshear. Financing through Cherry, CareCredit, and PatientFi can help with costs not covered.
Related
Other breast procedures
Breast Augmentation
Implant- or fat-based augmentation to restore volume, balance asymmetry, and create natural proportion.
Breast Lift
Mastopexy that reshapes and elevates the breasts, restoring a youthful position and contour.
Breast Reduction
Removes excess tissue to relieve discomfort and create a proportionate, comfortable silhouette.
Designer Plastic Surgery
Schedule Your Breast Reconstruction Consultation
Discover the possibilities for your breast reconstruction. Dr. Hua and his team will design a plan that fits your goals, anatomy, and lifestyle.