Reconstructive Breast Surgery in Austin, TX

Name: Breast Reconstruction
Brand: Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Christine Fisher, MD, FACS holding a breast implant

Discover Your Breast Reconstruction Options in Austin

The decision to reconstruct a breast after cancer is a highly personal one. Women who choose to take this step are on a journey to recovery, and reconstruction is often a step that brings psychological healing and restoration of a woman's self-confidence. The importance of this process should not be underestimated. Choosing a reconstructive plastic surgeon with a special focus on the full range of breast reconstruction options is imperative to ensuring a positive experience and a superior outcome.

Our reconstructive plastic surgeons are an all-female team who have extensive experience working with breast cancer survivors to provide aesthetically beautiful reconstructive outcomes. To help our patients feel whole once more, our surgeons work closely with each patient—as well as the patient's surgical oncologist and medical team—to create a surgical plan that will meet the patient's needs and expectations best, as well as safely address the cancer. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to breast reconstruction.

Experienced in a broad range of techniques, our reconstructive surgeons are uniquely qualified to help women achieve beautifully natural results through reconstructive surgery. Whether you choose a flap technique that uses tissue from your own body or opt for an implant-based breast reconstruction, our surgeons will work to ensure your outcome meets your expectations and your desired results. For some patients, a combination of the two techniques may be used to produce the best possible results.

Developing a Personalized Reconstruction Plan

If you choose to undergo breast reconstruction in Austin, TX, your surgeon will work with you, your oncologist, and your breast cancer surgeon to develop a safe treatment plan that fits your personal goals, your body type, and your lifestyle. Our surgeons are skilled in reconstructive breast surgery and adept at both traditional implant techniques and advanced breast reconstruction techniques that use a woman's own living tissue to restore the breast. Your reconstructive surgeon will listen to your goals and concerns and guide you in your journey from breast cancer patient to breast cancer survivor.

What to Know About Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Reconstructive breast surgery options are shaped by the cause of breast loss, the prior size and shape of your breasts, your aesthetic goals for your new breasts, your health, expected future treatments, and more. Our surgeons work to ensure that our reconstructive breast surgery patients understand the details related to their cancer, the surgery steps, and the possible outcomes before any final decisions are made. Knowledge of the process can decrease stress and improve healing and patient satisfaction, which is why we prioritize breast health education on the following topics:

Breast Reconstruction Before & After

Before procedure image for Breast Reconstruction

After procedure image for Breast Reconstruction

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Learn More About Reconstructive Breast Surgery

Patients who want to know even more details about breast reconstruction in Austin, TX, including living tissue reconstruction techniques, can explore the following pages:

There are also several implant-based reconstructive breast surgery techniques available at Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, including staged breast reconstruction, which is two-step reconstruction with initial tissue expander placement followed by saline or silicone breast implant placement; "direct-to-implant" breast reconstruction, which is a single-step procedure that introduces a saline or silicone breast implant at the time of the mastectomy; latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap with silicone breast implant; and tissue expander breast reconstruction.

Who Is a Candidate for Reconstructive Breast Surgery?

The decision whether to have reconstruction surgery should, ideally, be made long before your mastectomy. That way, Dr. Fisher or Dr. Ehanire can work together with your surgical oncologist to achieve the best outcome for you. Some women don’t like the prospect of having another surgery and instead opt to wear external breast forms. But for others, this surgery is the first step down the road to full recovery. These are reasons you may want to consider breast reconstruction at Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery:

If you feel reconstruction will make you feel whole again
If you feel reconstruction will give you back your self-confidence
If you feel reconstruction will make you feel more feminine again
If you worry about symmetry if only one of your breasts is affected
If you don’t want to be limited in wearing certain necklines or swimwear that you enjoy

When you sit down for a private consultation with one of our expert reconstructive surgeons, they’ll evaluate a number of factors to help you determine if breast reconstruction is right for you.

How to Prepare for Breast Reconstruction Surgery

Whether Dr. Fisher, Dr. Ehanire, or Dr. Dumestre is performing reconstruction immediately following your mastectomy or later, you’ll want to make most of your preparations for your recovery in advance. Of course, you’ll need to prepare as you would with any surgery—you’ll stop taking blood thinning medication, aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications, and most herbal supplements for one week prior to your surgery. If you smoke, you’ll also need to stop for at least two weeks before and after your surgery, as smoking constricts the blood vessels, and this impedes healing.

You’ll want to prepare your recovery nest, as you’ll need to lay low for at least a couple of weeks. You’ll be tired after the combination surgery of mastectomy with your breast surgery and reconstruction.

Getting back to normal activities may take six weeks or longer. Really taking it easy helps your recovery, so your recovery nest needs to be a place where you’re utterly comfortable. Ideally, it should contain lots of pillows, blankets, and every sort of entertainment.

Part of your preparation needs to be enlisting help. You’ll be completely wiped for at least a full week and likely longer. You won’t be able to do any overhead lifting or any heavy lifting for a few weeks. Strenuous physical activity or exercise will probably be put off for six weeks. This is no time to be the Lone Ranger and push your recovery timelines. If possible, you should arrange for someone you trust to drive you home after your surgery and stay with you for the first few nights to provide assistance.

Schedule Your Breast Reconstruction Consultation Today

If you believe that you could be a good candidate for reconstructive breast surgery in Austin, don’t hesitate to contact our office at Austin Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. One of our expert female reconstructive surgeons will be happy to sit down with you, discuss your unique situation, and help you move forward in your journey toward improved confidence, health, and wellness. Give us a call today to schedule your consultation.