Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction restores the size, shape and appearance of the breasts after a mastectomy. Ideally, breast reconstruction should be performed immediately after the mastectomy.  For various reasons, personal or medical, some patients choose to delay breast reconstruction for a period of time. 

Breast Reconstruction: What’s involved?

Breast reconstruction surgery will utilize synthetic breast implants or the patient’s own tissue to recreate the breasts. Below are some of the many procedures designed to achieve that outcome:

• Saline or silicone gel breast implants can be used, sometimes requiring a tissue expander to create the tissue cavity.

• TRAM flap breast reconstruction uses tissue of the lower abdomen, between the waist and pubic bone as a donor site.

• Latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction uses tissue in the upper area of your back as the donor site.

How is the nipple reconstructed?

When necessary, nipple reconstruction will be performed 3 or 4 months after the breast reconstruction. Donor tissue and special techniques in micropigmentation are used to recreate the nipples.

To learn more about breast reconstruction, contact Dr. Genter’s office in Philadelphia County.