A breast reconstruction journey comes with a plethora of options. The ultimate outcome is determined by a patient’s personalized path based on three features — their breast cancer treatment plan, body type, and aesthetic goals.
A board-certified plastic surgeon is your most qualified guide to navigating the options for breast reconstruction and arriving at the best result.
Importance of introducing a plastic surgeon early
A crucial step to getting the best outcome is placing a plastic surgeon on your care team shortly after a cancer diagnosis. Early collaboration with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) will allow you to understand and evaluate your available options based on your specific situation. A plastic surgeon will explain what is physically achievable while supporting your mental well-being.
“This is a very stressful time,” said Ron Israeli, M.D., a plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction. “A plastic surgeon can help patients navigate the decision-making and allow them to understand there is light at the end of the tunnel because someone will help them achieve their aesthetic goals.”
Restoring sensation
Patients initially will experience numbness in their reconstructed breast(s) because nerves must be cut and removed during mastectomy.
“When nothing is done to repair the nerves, communication between the brain and the chest gets disrupted, diminishing the ability for nerves to function normally,” said Jonathan Bank, M.D., FACS, a plastic surgeon and breast microsurgery expert. “This can lead to partial or complete numbness that may be permanent.”
Yet, plastic surgeons are critical to regaining breast sensation after mastectomy because they can reconnect tiny nerves in the chest with a graft, allowing them to regenerate and heal over time.
“Through advanced breast reconstruction techniques, plastic surgeons can help restore the important function of sensation,” Dr. Bank said. “Studies show that regaining sensation can provide a variety of benefits for patients, including improved physical safety, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.”
Nerves regrow as the patient’s body heals. The amount of breast sensation regained may vary and can take up to two years to return. It’s important to discuss what’s possible with your plastic surgeon when deciding on your reconstructive options.
It may take several procedures
Reconstruction often involves multiple procedures performed in stages. Even patients who choose to combine reconstruction with their mastectomy should consider revisions to achieve the best outcome. Again, working with a plastic surgeon will help refine your results.
“Almost always, there’s an advantage to being open to having additional procedures to achieve the best outcome,” Dr. Israeli said. “A second procedure may be minor, such as a skin adjustment or grafting fat from elsewhere to soften the breast.”
Making reconstruction affordable
Breast cancer can come with a hefty mental, emotional, and physical cost, but the actual price of the reconstruction of your choice is likely affordable. The federal 1998 Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act requires group health insurance plans to cover reconstructive surgery, regardless of the number of revisions.
“This is a decision to be made by the patient and their doctor, not the insurance company,” Dr. Israeli said. “Breast reconstruction can help many women achieve a sense of wholeness, making a big difference in their lives.”
Expert guidance
Breast cancer is not a journey anyone would choose, but getting a board-certified plastic surgeon who is an ASPS member on your care team early as your guide will allow you to personalize your reconstruction and improve your outcome.
