Breast Reconstruction in Palm Beach Gardens and Port St. Lucie

Breast Reconstruction in Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Port St. Lucie

A breast cancer diagnosis and its accompanying treatment are often overwhelming, especially if it entails losing one or both breasts to a mastectomy. The physical changes involved can have a long-lasting emotional effect and lead to a significant loss of confidence. This does not, however, need to be permanent. Breast reconstruction can be done at the time of mastectomy or can be delayed until after cancer treatment is completed. There are numerous surgical options available to recreate the breasts, including single-stage direct to implant reconstruction after nipple-sparing mastectomies. Dr. Lickstein and Dr. Forleiter are trained in the full range of reconstructive options and are honored to serve patients from Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, Tequesta, North Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, and Wellington. Each individual patient’s unique circumstances and goals will determine which approach provides the greatest opportunity for success. Breast reconstruction is a highly personal decision, and our surgeons will help each patient consider their options and how to best approach their breast surgery journey.

Implant vs. Tissue Flap

There are several procedures that can be used to reconstruct one or both breasts using your own tissue, fat grafting, implants, or a combination of techniques.

Direct to Implant Reconstruction

An implant is placed into the breast pocket at the time of nipple or skin sparing mastectomy. This is typically done for patients with small to medium breasts, who wish to remain similar to their preoperative size.

Expander Reconstruction

A tissue expander is temporarily inserted into the breast pocket to stretch the breast tissue so that it can adequately cover an implant. It is used when skin needs to be removed with the breast cancer, or a patient wishes to be a larger size. It may be used to preserve the shape of the breast until treatment is completed and an implant can be placed. Typically, the expander is progressively filled with a saline solution by accessing an internal port through your skin. This is done during your office visit every week. Once the breast tissue is stretched enough, the expander is replaced some period of time later by a breast implant.

Tissue Flap Reconstruction

This method of reconstruction uses tissue from another area of the patient’s body, such as the back, thigh, or abdomen, to reconstruct the breast mound or to provide enough tissue to cover an implant. The new breast tissue may remain connected to the original blood supply through blood vessels tunnelled beneath the skin to the donor site, or it may be detached and rely on the growth of new blood vessels (tissue graft). If the flap is being used to provide tissue coverage, an implant will be inserted beneath it.

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We believe the best results are born from an in-depth discussion of patient goals, followed by a customized treatment plan.

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The Doctors at Lickstein Plastic Surgery have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
Page Updated: June 16, 2022