Breast Cancer | Franklyn Elliott, M.D.

January 6, 2017

Choices to Make about Breast Reconstruction

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I have been a double board-certified plastic surgeon for over thirty years, and among all the surgeries I perform, my specialty of breast reconstruction is unique for multiple reasons. Unlike patients of other surgeries, each breast reconstruction patient is recovering from or still going through the heartbreaking diagnosis of breast cancer. In addition to the emotional stress it involves, breast reconstruction is also a particularly complex surgery because there are numerous options a woman must choose between—immediate vs. delayed, breast implant vs. natural tissue, etc. To help you gain a better understanding of the decisions you may need to make before breast reconstruction, I have compiled the chart below.

Determining the best breast reconstruction options for you can feel overwhelming at first. However, with over thirty years of experience in performing this surgery, I have developed the expertise to guide you through the process, make recommendations based on your specific needs, and explain the reasoning behind my recommendations. If you’re ready to get started, schedule a breast reconstruction consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more health tips and the latest plastic surgery news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

August 16, 2016

Breast Reconstruction: Tissue Expander vs. Breast Implant

Blog, Breast Cancer, Breast Reconstruction, Breast Surgery, Educational Atlanta breast reconstruction surgeon, atlanta plastic surgeon, breast implant, breast reconstruction Atlanta, tissue expander

Breast cancer can be a shocking diagnosis, even for a patient who knows she’s genetically predisposed to it. Unfortunately, it’s also just the beginning of a road of difficult decisions regarding your health. Breast reconstruction is often a part of this journey, but fortunately, making the choices about your reconstructive surgery can at least offer you an optimistic opportunity to look forward to having breasts that make you feel confident once again. Still, it’s important to take these decisions seriously, so in the video below, I’ve taken a closer look at an option many breast reconstruction patients have: whether to use a tissue expander or to use a breast implant directly.

Your breast reconstruction procedure should be designed to fit your medical needs and your aesthetic vision—after all, the goal is to help you feel more comfortable in your own skin. To discuss your options for breast reconstruction or another plastic or reconstructive surgery, schedule a consultation with me, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, to stay up-to-date on the latest cosmetic surgery news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

June 15, 2016

Will My Breast Reconstruction Require Multiple Surgeries?

Blog, Breast Cancer, Breast Reconstruction, Breast Surgery, Educational atlanta breast reconstruction, Atlanta breast surgeon, atlanta plastic surgeon, atlanta reconstructive surgeon, breast reconstruction process

Throughout more than thirty years as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I’ve found that one of the most important factors in helping patients have the best possible experience is to be open with them from the beginning about what they can expect. This is especially true for breast reconstruction patients, because the reality is that most cases of breast reconstruction will require multiple surgeries in order to achieve results the patient will be happy with. Your surgical process depends on a number of factors, but perhaps the most significant is whether you choose to use a breast implant, or your own natural tissue, or both.

Multiple Surgeries for Breast Implant Reconstruction

Because of the amount of breast tissue which needs to be removed during a mastectomy, most patients who choose to have their breast(s) reconstructed using a breast implant will need to begin with a tissue expander. This is a device which is similar to an empty breast implant, and is placed within the breast to be gradually filled and enlarged so that it slowly expands the skin and tissue in order to make room for the breast implant. The first surgery (which may or may not occur during mastectomy) involves placing the tissue expander, and a second surgery several months later is then required to replace the tissue expander with the permanent breast implant.

Multiple Surgeries for Breast Reconstruction Using Your Own Tissue

The other option is to use your own tissue (usually muscle, fat, and sometimes skin from your abdominal area) to recreate the breast – a category of methods known as autologous breast reconstruction. In many cases, achieving the patient’s ultimate goal of feeling more like themselves and more confident in their appearance will require two or more surgeries. The first procedure is typically the most extensive, in which the breast is actually forming, while future surgeries are used to make adjustments and enhancements to create a more attractive and natural-looking appearance.

Additional Surgeries for Any Method of Breast Reconstruction

Regardless of whether you choose breast implants or your own tissue to reconstruct your breast, you will likely have the option to undergo an additional surgery for nipple reconstruction. And, while uncommon, there is also a risk of complications which may require future surgeries, such as revising the appearance of the abdomen after autologous reconstruction or resolving capsular contracture with a breast implant.

Though breast reconstruction can be a multi-step process, it is one which has given countless women the ability to once again feel confident in their appearance and live their lives as survivors, and I am honored to have performed these empowering surgeries for thousands of women. If you would like to get started on your breast reconstruction journey, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more information and plastic surgery tips, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.