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nipple reconstruction

Can Breast Reconstruction Help Address The Nipple?

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Going through a breast cancer battle is obviously incredibly frightening and stressful for many women. This is why I take so much pride in being able to perform breast reconstruction surgery in order to help women feel more like themselves again following a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I also try to be as communicative and reassuring as possible throughout the entire breast reconstruction process. One question that my patients often ask is what will my new reconstructed breasts look like following surgery? Today, I wanted to focus on how I work to reconstruct the nipple as part of the breast reconstruction process to give people a better understanding.

I use nipple reconstruction as a way to help put the finishing touch on a woman’s breast reconstruction. Nipple reconstruction is a separate procedure, and I advise my patients to wait between 3-4 months after their breast reconstruction surgery before undergoing it. During the procedure, I am able to utilize cosmetic tattooing methods to reconstruct the nipple, as well as the surrounding areola. This can help restore the appearance of what the woman’s breast would have looked like before their breast cancer surgery. In some cases, a dermal matrix product (made mostly from collagen) can serve as a skin substitute and provide outstanding nipple reconstruction results. I am able to perform nipple reconstruction as an outpatient procedure for some patients, meaning that no overnight hospital stay will be required

In the video below, I discuss nipple reconstruction in more detail and explain what women can expect from the procedure:

Every woman’s breast reconstruction journey is deeply personal, and choices like undergoing nipple reconstruction or not depend on each patient’s unique preferences. However, I am very happy to be able to provide this option for women who see it as the final step back into normalcy they need following breast cancer. For more information on nipple reconstruction or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery videos, tips, news, and much more.

What To Expect from Nipple Reconstruction Surgery

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In my many years of performing cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures, one thing that has stayed consistently true is the notion that patients should know exactly what to expect going into any procedure. Following an ordeal as stressful and frightening as breast cancer can create an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. That’s why I am so adamant about helping my prospective breast reconstruction patients understand everything that goes into their surgical process in the hopes of quelling any additional anxiety about their surgery. Today, I want to specifically focus on nipple reconstruction and what patients can expect from this procedure.

Nipple reconstruction surgery is used to help put the finishing touch on a woman’s breast reconstruction. It is a separate procedure that is typically performed 3-4 months after breast reconstruction surgery after the breast(s) have had enough time to recover. During surgery, I reconstruct both the nipple and the surrounding areola using cosmetic tattooing to restore the appearance of the patient’s original breast. In some cases, nipple reconstruction is performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning no overnight hospital stay will be required.

In the following video, I discuss in detail how nipple reconstruction procedures are performed to give women a better idea of what they can expect:

Breast reconstruction is an extremely personal process and it’s important to emphasize that nipple reconstruction is not required following breast reconstruction surgery. For women who do choose to undergo this surgery, it can however serve as a final step back into normalcy following breast cancer. For more information on nipple reconstruction or to schedule a consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for additional videos, tips, updates, and more.

How is Nipple Reconstruction Done?

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There are so many decisions that need to be made for women who choose to undergo breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer. Even after a successful breast reconstruction procedure is performed, there are still choices to be made, including whether you want to pursue nipple reconstruction surgery. This choice is personal and solely dependent on each woman’s personal aesthetic preferences.

Nipple reconstruction is designed to recreate the darker-colored areola and the elevated nipple that may be lost during breast cancer surgery. The procedure typically occurs at least 3 – 4 months after breast reconstruction. This ensures that the reconstructed breast (or breasts) has had time to fully heal after surgery.

Since this procedure is not as commonplace as breast augmentation or facelift surgery, I have found that many prospective patients may not understand the basics of nipple reconstruction and how it is performed. In the following video, I walk through this procedure step-by-step to help patients better understand how nipple reconstruction surgery is performed:

I want to emphasize again that the decision to undergo nipple reconstruction is a personal one and every woman’s preferences are different. However, I have seen firsthand how cosmetic procedures like nipple reconstruction can help women feel whole again and truly achieve a new lease on life following breast cancer and breast reconstruction surgery. For more information on nipple reconstruction or to schedule a consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for additional tips, news, updates, and more.