Implant Reconstruction with Implants
Breast Implant Breast Reconstruction Surgery
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Implant-based breast reconstruction uses an implant to rebuild the breast, which requires less surgery than flap reconstruction. This technique is a popular reconstruction option for the right candidates who are looking to achieve a more natural breast look.
With multiple techniques at his disposal as a board-certified reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Luke Cusimano will evaluate your current or expected anatomy either before or after your mastectomy or lumpectomy to make the best decision for not only the look and feel of the reconstructed breasts but also your comfort and speed of recovery.
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In most cases, any one of these procedures offers highly natural-looking and satisfying results depending on your unique needs and anatomy. Here’s a brief overview of the three types of implant-based breast reconstruction surgeries Dr. Cusimano performs:
Pre-Pectoral Implant Reconstruction
This is the simplest, least invasive, and quickest recovery procedure. Implants are placed above the chest muscle, which may not be an option for all breast reconstruction patients. For those who are well-qualified, this creates a natural-looking and feeling breast with minimal downtime and discomfort.
Direct-To-Implant Breast Reconstruction
If you coordinate with your oncologist and breast cancer care team, you may be able to perform an immediate breast reconstruction during your mastectomy or lumpectomy with Dr. Cusimano. This requires multiple pre-surgical appointments with both care teams to determine the size and type of implant and where it will be placed for the best possible outcome.
Traditional Implant Reconstruction
Traditional breast reconstruction with implants involves placing them entirely or partly under the chest muscle, due to the typical lack of natural breast tissue remaining to conceal the look of artificial implants. While this produces a highly satisfying look and feel, recovery is slightly longer than other procedures.
Before & After
GALLERY
Types of Breast Implants
There are many different breast implants on the market to choose from for breast implant reconstruction, including saline, silicone, and form stable. Saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution, while silicone implants are filled with silicone gel. Form-stable implants are similar to silicone implants, only their filling is thicker and tends to keep its shape better.
The type of implant that will get your ideal results will be discussed during your reconstruction consultation with Dr. Cusimano.
PRE-PECTORAL IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION
Unlike traditional implant reconstruction where the chest muscle must be cut, pre-pectoral reconstruction involves placing the breast implant over the chest muscle. Not only can this technique create a natural-looking breast appearance in ideal candidates, but it also minimizes post-operative pain and recovery time and lessens the chance for physical deformities in the implant when moving the arms that can be seen with traditional reconstruction.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR PRE-PECTORAL IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION?
The ideal candidate for this procedure will be a newly diagnosed or a former breast cancer patient who does not require breast radiation in the future, is in good shape, and is a non-smoker. Additionally, candidates should have enough natural breast tissue remaining following their surgery (future or past) to optimally conceal the look of an implant beneath the skin. Without enough tissue covering the implant (either saline or silicone) visible rippling or abnormal stretching can occur, making the results not as optimal as possible.
THE PRE-PECTORAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE
During this procedure, the chosen implant is placed over the muscle and beneath breast glandular and fat tissue. This results in little to no muscle deformity or pain associated with the procedure since the muscle is left intact and the implant is placed directly into a breast pocket created through surgery. A purified tissue “scaffold” will be used to support the front of the implant, as an internal bra, for ideal adherence to the internal tissues.
It is important to understand that breast implants are long-lasting but are not meant to be lifelong devices. This means that you may have to have your breast implants removed or replaced sometime in the future.
AFTERCARE AND RECOVERY FOR PRE-PECTORAL IMPLANTS
Following pre-pectoral implant reconstruction, you may have compression garments that you must wear to support the surgical areas, and drains may be placed to help collect excess fluid during recovery. Pre-pectoral implant reconstruction is the simplest and least painful and has the shortest recovery time. Even so, be sure to let yourself rest and recover before resuming your normal routine.
Most patients can walk around without assistance shortly after surgery, though you may need some help with everyday tasks at the beginning of recovery. Be sure to follow Dr. Cusimano’s specific post-op instructions to help ensure the best results.
TRADITIONAL IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION
WHAT IS TRADITIONAL IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION?
The traditional implant reconstruction technique involves the placement of breast implants under the chest muscles to create natural-looking breasts. This is the traditional approach because, in most mastectomy surgeries (single or double), there is little natural breast tissue left to support or conceal an artificial implant. This requires other tissue located deeper in the chest to be used to cover and support it.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR TRADITIONAL IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION?
Ideal candidates will be healthy non-smokers, with realistic expectations from their unique breast reconstruction plan. This technique is often a good choice for those who do not require breast radiation and do not wish to undergo flap reconstruction procedures. Dr. Cusimano can help to determine if this reconstruction technique is right for you during a consultation about your goals and qualifications for surgery.
THE TRADITIONAL IMPLANT PROCEDURE
During this procedure, a tissue expander may be placed under the chest muscles to make space for the implant after mastectomy. The expander is inflated every 2-3 weeks for about 3-4 months. Once the chest skin is stretched enough, the expander is removed, and breast implants can be placed. The placement of the breast implants is a well-tolerated procedure that is done on an outpatient basis.
With traditional implant reconstruction, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll eventually need to replace or remove your implants at some point in the future, as they are not permanent solutions.
DIRECT-TO-IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION
WHAT IS DIRECT-TO-IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION?
Direct-to-implant reconstruction is an alternative to staged tissue expander breast reconstruction with implants. This “one-step” approach allows the possibility of placing a breast implant immediately at the time of the mastectomy. This technique can reduce the number of surgeries and office visits required with other forms of breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR DIRECT-TO-IMPLANT RECONSTRUCTION?
Patients who can expect to have sufficient, healthy breast skin remaining following mastectomy may be good candidates for direct-to-implant reconstruction. Also, patients who do not require breast radiation and do not wish to undergo flap reconstruction procedures are also able to benefit from this breast reconstruction alternative.
Through the consultation process, Dr. Cusimano can help to determine if this procedure is right for you. Patients will also need to consider which type of breast implant (saline or silicone) they would like to use for their direct-to-implant reconstruction well in advance of their mastectomy and reconstruction. Dr. Cusimano will help you choose the right breast implant by estimating your breast volume and making measurements of the breasts and chest wall prior to mastectomy. Your aesthetic desires will also be taken into account.
THE DIRECT-TO-IMPLANT PROCEDURE
During this procedure, the implant is positioned either above or below the chest muscle immediately after mastectomy. To provide additional soft tissue support for the implant to enhance its appearance, AlloDerm® is placed on the chest wall. AlloDerm is an acellular dermal matrix, derived from the dermis of the skin, that helps support the implant’s cohesion to the chest wall.
Because the implants are placed during the same surgery as the mastectomy, patients can awaken from their surgery with a well-defined breast shape. While direct-to-implant breast reconstruction avoids the use of a tissue expander, additional procedures may be necessary to improve symmetry, breast size, or breast contour.
DIRECT TO IMPLANT AFTERCARE AND RECOVERY
Following your direct-to-implant procedure, you may have compression garments and drains placed to help collect any excess fluid during recovery. Over several months, the reconstructed breasts will heal, and the breast implants will settle into place. Be sure to follow Dr. Cusimano’s specific post-op instructions to help ensure an ideal recovery. How soon you can return to work will depend on the extent of the breast cancer surgery, the size and placement of implants, and the type of work you do.
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BREAST RECONSTRUCTION WITH IMPLANTS IN BATON ROUGE, LA
There are incredible nuances Dr. Cusimano takes into account with all his breast reconstruction patients, from the type of surgery to the size and type of implant to the length of the incision. These factors can seem overwhelming at first glance, which is why we encourage anyone interested in post-mastectomy or pre-mastectomy breast reconstruction to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cusimano to help clear away the confusion and help you settle on a plan that’s best for you.
Start a conversation with our breast reconstruction team by calling our Baton Rouge office at (225) 230-8072 or contact us online today.