Long Island Breast Reconstruction Procedures

Breast reconstruction is a surgical option presented to women who will undergo or who have already had a mastectomy due to breast cancer. It is also an option available to women whose treatment with lumpectomy or partial mastectomy has left them with misshapen breasts.

For women who are surviving breast cancer, or for women whose breasts developed in an uneven fashion, the choice to have breast reconstruction can be a life affirming decision. It can help to restore your body image, your sense of femininity and, ultimately, your self confidence. Dr. Romanelli understands that choosing breast reconstruction is a highly personal decision and will work with you to help you make the choice that best suits your goals.

To request your free surgical consultation, just click, or call the office of board certified plastic surgeon Dr. James Romanelli now at (631) 424-3600.

Breast Reconstruction on Long Island - Your Options

Finding the right procedure to meet your goals while considering all of the risks and any disadvantages is essential for success. At your consultation, Dr. Romanelli will detail all of your breast reconstruction options.

Breast Reconstruction During Mastectomy
With breast reconstruction at the time of mastectomy, often much of your skin can be conserved, in which case Dr. Romanelli will be able to immediately to begin the reconstruction immediately. This can provide you some or all breast fullness when you wake up from surgery.

Direct to Implant Breast Reconstruction
Increasingly, Dr. Romanelli has been able to offer "Direct to Implant" immediate breast reconstruction. In this situation, the breast surgeon and Dr. Romanelli are able to conserve most of the breast skin. For appropriate patients, it is possible to fully replace the breast volume, with a permanent breast implant, at the time of mastectomy. This has revolutionized recovery time, and, in many cases, reduce the need for additional surgeries. Both silicone and saline filled implants may be used, although Dr. Romanelli finds that silicone implants usually produce a more natural result.

Immediate Tissue Expander Breast Reconstruction
If your situation does not allow immediate placement of the final breast implant — because too much skin needs to be removed — then a tissue expander is placed at the time of mastectomy. This fluid-filled sterile implant will provide some immediate fullness. At office visits over the next few months the tissue expander is filled with more saline, which gradually stretches the remaining skin, causing it to grow. Several months later, as an outpatient surgery, the tissue expander is removed and a final implant is placed.

Tummy Tuck or TRAM Breast Reconstruction
For women who are good candidates, the TRAM or "Tummy Tuck" flap allows breast reconstruction using the skin and fat located in the lower abdomen, below the navel. This is a more involved surgery, requiring about 4 hours for Dr. Romanelli to complete, versus 1 hour for the implant or tissue expander. Also, patients usually spend 4 or 5 nights in the hospital after surgery, with abdominal discomfort more an issue than chest discomfort. Nonetheless, select women are excellent candidates for this surgery, and are pleased with the results. A side benefit is the flattening of the lower abdomen, although the time to full recovery is longer than with implant reconstruction.

Delayed Reconstruction After Mastectomy
When a woman chooses to defer breast reconstruction until after she has healed from her mastectomy, either a tissue expander or flap reconstruction may be chosen. The nipple and areola can also be reconstructed during a subsequent procedure. Each breast reconstruction is unique, so Dr. Romanelli will explain your specific procedure during your consultation. Quality breast reconstruction results require the skills of a highly trained surgeon like Dr. Romanelli.

Secondary Surgeries for Reconstruction
Maximizing your symmetry following mastectomy may involve making adjustments to the opposite breast. Options for you to consider are: breast lift, breast reduction and/or breast augmentation. Fortunately, federal legislation mandates that all insurance companies provide benefits for all aspects of breast reconstruction, including treatment of the opposite breast.

Reconstruction of the nipple and areola is generally performed a few months following initial breast surgery.

Give yourself the opportunity to discuss your options for successful breast reconstruction in the comfort and privacy of Dr. Romanelli's Long Island plastic surgery office, located in Huntington, New York. Call (631) 424-3600 today or click here to request your free surgical consultation.

You can also learn more about breast reconstruction on Long Island by taking a moment to view our photo gallery of before and after pictures.