Breast Reconstruction

When faced with the possibility or diagnosis of breast cancer, eliminating the source of the problem is often the most effective solution. For many women, undergoing a mastectomy or lumpectomy is more a necessity than a choice. While it is often the best option for your health, losing one or both breasts can affect both your physical and emotional wellbeing and can leave you feeling disappointed with your appearance, confidence and femininity. For women who are struggling to adjust to the loss of their breasts, breast reconstruction may be able to help.

At Barrett Plastic Surgery, we are passionate about empowering women to feel more comfortable and confident about their body. For breast cancer patients, Dr. Barrett understands that your journey to recovery is an involved and challenging one, filled with both emotional and physical obstacles. When you are ready to achieve a more natural body shape and a happier, healthier state of mind, our dedicated team of surgeons and specialists is here to guide you through the process. Through breast reconstruction surgery, Dr. Barrett aims to help you reclaim your feminine beauty, identity and sense of self.

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction surgery uses breast implants or natural body tissue to restore shape and volume to your breast area. Whether you have undergone a single or double mastectomy, a breast reconstruction allows you to rebuild proportional, natural-looking breasts that can help you feel like yourself again. Though your new breasts may not look exactly like they did previously, breast reconstruction can restore your feminine curves and help you achieve a natural and attractive figure. Beyond the cosmetic benefits, this procedure can also help you reclaim your self-esteem and sense of self.

Options for Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction surgery is a versatile procedure that can be customized to the needs, body shape and aesthetic goals of each patient. During your consultation, Dr. Barrett will take the time to understand your reasons for treatment, the results you hope to achieve and your current stage of recovery. Based on this information, he will create an individualized surgical plan that details the steps of the procedure, the expected results and the recovery process. The three main approaches to breast reconstruction are:

• Breast implants
• Autologous tissue transfer
• Fat grafting combination

Each of these options involves specific steps and surgical techniques that will determine how your procedure is performed. With your safety, comfort and satisfaction as priorities, Dr. Barrett will walk you through your options and help you determine the most suitable method of reconstruction. With years of experience to draw on, Dr. Barrett will ensure you achieve the most personalized and satisfying result. He will also inform you about what to expect during the recovery period, including how to care for the surgical site, minimize complications and ensure optimal results and longevity.

Breast Reconstruction with Implants

Implants are a safe and effective way to restore volume, shape and definition to the breasts. They are most frequently used for breast augmentation to create a rounder, fuller and perkier breast shape. They are also a highly beneficial option for patients seeking to reconstruct the breasts. Implants come in a range of shapes, sizes and materials, so they are highly customizable to your aesthetic goals and unique figure. This procedure is an excellent option for women who have undergone a double mastectomy, as it can help to restore symmetry and balance between the breasts. It is also suitable for those who do not have enough body tissue for a tissue transfer reconstruction. The benefits of implants include:

• Predictable and reliable outcomes
• Breast symmetry
• Highly customizable
• Low risk of complications
• Relatively short recovery time
• Long-lasting results

Breast Reconstruction with Autologous Tissue

Autologous tissue transfer is a common choice among women seeking to recreate the most natural-looking and feeling breasts. It involves using your natural tissue from an area of your body where there is excess fat and attaching it to your breast area to restore volume. This procedure can be performed in various ways depending on the chosen donor site, which is commonly the abdomen, thighs or buttocks. The process is similar, however, where a piece of muscle, fat and skin is removed from the donor site and reattached to the chest to recreate the breasts. Since this reconstruction method uses your own tissue, your breasts will look and feel like they belong naturally to your body. They will also age with the rest of your body and leave a lower risk of complications. With a tissue transfer reconstruction, you can expect:

• Completely natural results
• Real body tissue instead of synthetic substances
• Low risk of complications
• Low maintenance

Breast Reconstruction with Fat Grafting

Fat grafting is often used in combination with other reconstruction methods to provide a more natural finish to your breasts. It is similar to a tissue transfer in that it uses unwanted excess fat from another region of the body to restore volume to the chest. While an autologous transfer involves surgically attaching a substantial amount of fat to recreate the roundness and fullness of the breast, fat grafting involves injecting smaller amounts of tissue into more targeted, localized areas. For instance, Dr. Barrett may attach a significant amount of the abdominal tissue to recreate the breasts, and inject smaller amounts of fat to the upper pole for more holistic and satisfying results. Alternatively, you may choose to combine fat grafting with breast implants to achieve both shape and volume while refining the area with a natural touch and finish. Drawing on his surgical skill and expertise in fat grafting, Dr. Barrett will walk you through this process and determine whether it is an appropriate option for you.

Is Breast Reconstruction Covered By Insurance?

Whether your reconstruction is performed immediately after your mastectomy, or years down the road, your health insurance plan should cover it. The 1998 Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act requires all group health plans that pay for mastectomy, to also cover prostheses and reconstructive procedures. This includes procedures that may be needed further down the line to revise and refine your reconstructed breasts, or to create symmetry and balance between your breasts. Please note that Medicare does cover breast reconstruction, while Medicaid coverage can vary from state to state. For more information, please contact our office.

Schedule Your Consultation with Expert Breast Surgeon Dr. Daniel Barrett in Beverly Hills, CA

Dr. Daniel Barrett is a board-certified plastic surgeon serving the residents of Beverly Hills, CA, and beyond. He has performed countless breast surgeries for women seeking to enhance the appearance of their breasts and rediscover their femininity. He specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery and boasts the technical skill and artistic vision required to achieve beautiful, naturally convincing results.

Breast reconstruction is a highly customizable procedure that can be tailored specifically to your needs, body shape and aesthetic goals. With a focus on holistic results, Dr. Barrett takes every measure to ensure your breasts balance with your unique figure and produce a smooth, harmonious appearance. Drawing on the latest cosmetic techniques, he can help you restore both your feminine physique and identity and ultimately improve your quality of life. If you would like to learn more about breast reconstruction or find out if you are a candidate, contact Barrett Plastic Surgery at (310) 598-2648 to schedule your consultation today.