Breast Reconstruction After Treatment for Breast Cancer

Do you have questions regarding breast reconstruction after treatment for breast cancer? My goal in this blog is to recount my patients’ experiences and to provide objective information regarding breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the world today. About 1 in 8 women develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.  A percentage of these women require mastectomy (removal of the breast) and subsequent breast reconstruction. A woman’s breasts will always be a sacred part of how she perceives herself. The absence of her breasts may elicit changes in body image, self-concept, and total self-image. It is for this reason that a number of women choose to undergo breast reconstruction following mastectomy. There are numerous reconstructive options that range from insertion of implants to autologous procedures which involve rebuilding the breast using one’s own tissue (for instance, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction (DIEP flap breast reconstruction)). Having completed a reconstructive microsurgery fellowship with a majority of breast reconstruction at the world renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, I have been fortunate to learn the latest techniques in breast reconstructive surgery following cancer treatment and have continued to apply these approaches in my current practice. Furthermore I have published medical papers on the use of various meshes to enhance the appearance of the breast during reconstruction. I will be providing tips and resources during this section.