Breast
Reconstruction
Women who require surgery as part of their breast cancer treatment may choose reconstruction to rebuild their breasts. At Optum Plastic Surgery, our skilled surgeons will apply their artistic skills to help restore your natural, pre-mastectomy breast form.
What is Breast Reconstruction?
A mastectomy, lumpectomy, or congenital asymmetry may leave you with uneven breasts or little to no breast tissue. This can affect you far beyond your physical well-being, hindering your self-confidence, body image, and sexuality. Breast reconstruction surgery can restore your natural breast form, making them even, symmetrical, and harmonious. The improved physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing many women feel following a breast reconstruction is well-described and has been extensively studied.
Breast reconstruction surgery typically encompasses multiple steps, depending on the technique you and your plastic surgeon elect. This life-changing process can begin at the time of the mastectomy or later, depending on what works best for your specific circumstance.
Let our Seattle plastic surgeons guide you through your reconstructive journey as they use their artistry to reconstruct your breasts and showcase your natural beauty.
Monthly support group
We recognize that undergoing breast reconstruction can be both challenging and rewarding. To help women navigate this process we offer a monthly support group focused on providing emotional support and education. It is co-facilitated by a plastic surgery nurse and oncology social worker and held with an atmosphere of sensitivity and privacy.
Our monthly meetings are held via Zoom
Date: 3rd Tuesday of the month
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
If you are interested in learning more, contact our group facilitator via email.
- Restoration of symmetrical breasts and fundamental feminine form
- Improved confidence and self-esteem
- Balanced bodily proportions
What type of techniques are available?
There are two fundamental types of breast reconstruction procedures: implant-based reconstruction and tissue-based (or “flap”) reconstruction.
Following your breast reconstruction, you may consider nipple reconstruction. This is a simple outpatient procedure that completes the breast reconstruction journey.
Depending on your situation, your surgeon will make recommendations and help you decide which procedure is best suited to your specific circumstance.
Implant-based reconstruction
−Flap reconstruction
+Patient experience | Breast Reconstruction
The entire team is excellent!!!
They gave us the encouragement to continue moving forward with my breast reconstruction.
Surgeons who perform this procedure
Dr. Megan Dreveskracht
Dr. Alexander Gougoutas
Dr. Meghan Nadeau
Dr. Keith Paige
Dr. Cindy Wei
FAQs
What are the typical steps of breast reconstruction surgery?
−Breast reconstruction is a very general term for restoration of the breast mound(s) following a partial or complete mastectomy, or in cases of profound breast asymmetry, and is highly individualized for each patient. In general, breasts can be reconstructed with implants or one’s own tissue. If an implant is being used for breast reconstruction, the first stage (may be performed either at the time of your mastectomy or at a later day. Your surgeon will determine with you what the best timing would be in your case.), may be performed at the time of your mastectomy. Several months later, in a second procedure, the tissue expander(s) are removed and replaced with permanent implants.
If one’s own tissue is being used to reconstruct the breasts, this is performed as a separate procedure typically several months following the mastectomy. A tissue expander may be recommended as a preconstruction step prior to the flap reconstruction.
What are the risks involved with breast reconstruction?
+Where will my surgery be performed?
+What results should I expect after a breast reconstruction?
+Let's talk
Schedule a consultation to tell us what you’re looking for, and let our skilled team show you how to achieve your goals.
The Polyclinic, PLLC d/b/a Optum Care Washington
The Polyclinic d/b/a Optum Care Washington is a physician owned and led practices having complete authority for all medical decision-making and patient care through their physicians and other licensed professionals. Optum, through its management organizations (“Optum”) provides non-clinical administrative services to support the Practices and their physicians. Neither Optum nor its management companies employs, engages, or supervises physicians or other licensed professionals, or determines or sets the methods, standards, or conduct of the practice of medicine or exercise of medical judgment or health care provided by the Practices or by any of their licensed professionals.