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Your Choices for Breast Reconstruction Using Your Own Tissue

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When a woman is going through breast cancer, mastectomy, and breast reconstruction, any degree of “normalcy” can be comforting. Some patients find this comfort in the idea of using their body’s own tissue, rather than breast implants, to reconstruct their breast(s). This is known as “autologous breast reconstruction.” There are a number of advantages to this method, such as an expectedly more natural-looking result. However, many of my breast reconstruction patients are simply drawn to the more natural approach of using their body’s own resources.

There are a number of different methods of autologous breast reconstruction, depending on the type and location of the tissue that is used. Most will take fat, skin, blood vessels, and/or muscle from the lower abdomen. The TRAM flap, the free TRAM, and the DIEP flap all use abdominal tissue, but they differ in the types of tissue they use as well as the way it is relocated to the breast. While there are other methods available for some patients (such as a latissimus dorsi flap or fat transfer injections), these three are the most common, and my video below offers more details about each of these types of breast reconstruction procedures and the differences between them.

Choosing a breast reconstruction plan is a highly personal decision, which should be made after careful consideration and consultation with a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who has evaluated your specific condition and has experience performing the type of procedure best suited to your needs. One of the best ways to help your surgery go smoothly is by educating yourself about the options, so to learn more, explore our website and follow me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on  Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. Elliott: Why Do Some Men Develop Breasts, and What Can I Do About It?

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Most of us have something about our appearance that makes us self-conscious, but one aesthetic issue that can be particularly embarrassing is when a man develops excess breast tissue, which can take on the appearance of female breasts. This is a condition called gynecomastia, and it’s more common than many realize. In fact, it’s among the most common reasons men seek plastic surgery in the US. But how and why does gynecomastia occur, and what can you do if it happens to you?

Ask Dr. Elliott Why Do Some Men Develop Breasts, and What Can I Do About ItMale breast development can have a number of different causes. In some cases, the extra tissue is primarily excess fat due to weight gain (this is known as pseudogynecomastia). But for other men, the growth is actually caused by breast tissue. In addition to weight gain or weight fluctuations, there are a wide number of potential causes for gynecomastia, including hormonal changes or imbalances, the use of certain medications or drugs (including anabolic steroids as well as medicines for various health conditions), and even heredity. Patients don’t necessarily need to know the cause of their gynecomastia in order for male breast reduction to be successful, but those whose breasts have stopped growing before treatment (and who take actions to avoid breast growth after treatment, like maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding certain drugs) will see the most lasting results.

For most men (unless their condition is caused by an underlying health problem), the only effective way to address persistent gynecomastia is with a cosmetic surgery called male breast reduction. The procedure varies from one patient to the next depending on their specific needs and condition, but it typically involves removing the excess breast tissue and fat (combining liposuction with excision techniques) to give the chest a more sculpted and masculine contour. Depending on the skin’s elasticity and the severity of the gynecomastia, some breast skin may be removed to restore a more athletic firmness, and the nipple may be repositioned for a more natural-looking result, but we prefer to avoid this if at all possible due to increased scarring. In fact, nearly all gynecomastia cases do not require these extra scars.

While gynecomastia can take several different forms and come from a variety of potential causes, one fact remains: as long as the breasts have stopped growing, male breast reduction has a high success rate and is likely to be the solution for a more desirable contour. To discuss whether you may be a candidate for gynecomastia surgery, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more of the latest plastic surgery news and helpful information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Dr. Franklyn Elliott Named as One of Atlanta’s Top Doctors

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It’s no secret that the plastic surgeon you choose will have a strong impact on your cosmetic results, your overall experience, and your safety throughout the process. But how do you know which surgeons may be the best fit? An organization known as Castle Connolly is dedicated to helping you narrow down your selection by naming the top doctors in cities throughout the country, and Dr. Franklyn Elliott is honored to be named among the most highly qualified plastic surgeons in Castle Connolly’s 2016 list, released in the July issue of Atlanta Magazine.

atlanta top plastic surgeonIn order to be named a 2016 Top Doctor, Atlanta Plastic Surgery’s Dr. Franklyn Elliott was first nominated by his peers and fellow physicians who can attest to the quality of his work and expertise. The doctor-led panel at Castle Connolly then investigated the qualifications of each nominee, examining their board certifications, medical training and education, hospital affiliations, contributions to the medical field, professional achievements, and lack of malpractice or disciplinary claims. Through this extensive process, Castle Connolly determines the most highly qualified physicians in plastic surgery as well as a wide number of other specialties, offering patients insight into the best doctors in their area.

While Dr. Elliott is honored by this award, it comes as no surprise to the colleagues and patients who have benefited from his knowledge and experience. While he performs a wide variety of plastic surgery procedures for the face, breast, and body, from short scar facelifts to liposuction, one of Dr. Elliott’s passions is helping breast cancer survivors by performing breast reconstructions. With 28 years of experience performing nearly 2,000 breast reconstruction procedures, Dr. Elliott has become a well-respected expert in breast reconstruction for breast cancer patients and survivors, as well as women who have had a preventative mastectomy due to a high genetic risk. In particular, Dr. Elliott has developed an expertise in the TRAM flap method – a form of breast reconstruction which uses tissue from a patient’s abdomen to recreate the breast, and which has been praised as by patients and physicians alike for producing natural-looking results.

Whether you’re considering breast reconstruction after breast cancer or enhancing your appearance with liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or another type of cosmetic surgery, it’s crucial to look for a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience addressing your specific concerns and who makes you feel comfortable with the process ahead. To get started, schedule a consultation with Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for up-to-date plastic surgery news, health tips, and real-time discussions, follow Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

ABOUT L. FRANKLYN ELLIOTT, MD

Board certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery since 1984, Dr. Franklyn Elliott has worked at Atlanta Plastic Surgery for over 25 years and is well-known for his contributions to the fields of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. In addition to performing thousands of highly successful procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, face lifts, breast reconstruction, and more, Dr. Elliott is a teacher at heart and has written numerous plastic and reconstructive surgery articles to teach his techniques to others, in addition to speaking at conferences and meetings both in the US and throughout the globe, as well as playing a core role lecturing and directing at the annual Atlanta Breast Surgery Symposium since 1988. He also served as the president of the Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in 2001, and he is a current member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons as well as numerous other medical organizations.

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