A mastectomy is rarely a woman’s first choice when it comes to treating breast cancer, but it can certainly be a life-saving decision. Fortunately, women who wish to maintain a feminine physique after a mastectomy can choose to restore their breasts with breast reconstruction. As a talented plastic surgeon who cares about the well-being of his patients, Dr. Robert Galiano is proud to use his advanced education and techniques to perform breast reconstruction for women in Chicago. Below, he shares the options his patients have for reconstructing their breasts.
Breast Reconstruction with Implants
Breast implants are synthetic prosthetics made of either silicone or saline. Although they are most often associated with women who want to augment their breasts for cosmetic reasons, they are equally as effective in reconstructing a removed breast. Women may choose an implant size that either corresponds with the former size of their chest or something bigger to achieve their ideal breast proportions.
Usually, Dr. Galiano uses tissue expanders ahead of the reconstruction procedure. Tissue expanders gradually increase in size to stretch a cavity in the skin that can hold the breast implant. Sometimes, though, the patient has enough tissue to have the breast implants inserted immediately. It is not unusual for a patient to have breast reconstruction performed at the same time as her mastectomy. No matter the timing, Dr. Galiano can usually use the same incision points for inserting the implant, overlapping the reconstruction and mastectomy scars to avoid creating new areas of scarring.
Breast Reconstruction with Flaps
Women who prefer a more “natural” approach to breast reconstruction may use tissue from their own body to generate new breasts. For this surgery, Dr. Galiano carefully removes tissue, muscle, and fat from a donor area (usually the abdomen, but sometimes the back or buttocks) where this tissue is in surplus. The tissue is then transferred to the breast to add volume that replicates a real breast shape. Because of the more involved nature of this surgery, the recovery period is generally longer than it is for breast reconstruction with implants.
Speak to a Talented Plastic Surgeon for Breasts That Look and Feel Real
Dr. Galiano is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast procedures. As a compassionate professional, he treats all his breast reconstruction patients with the utmost sensitivity. He makes it his mission to recreate the most beautiful and realistic-looking breasts for women who have had breast cancer. If you have had a mastectomy, or expect to have one in the future, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Galiano by calling 312-926-4382.
