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Breast Reconstruction

For women who have battled breast cancer and lost one or both breasts in the process, Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Paul Gill performs a range of breast reconstruction in Houston to rebuild the breast as a major component of recovery.

If You're Considering Breast Reconstruction in Houston

Women who have undergone a single or double mastectomy, and have completed cancer treatment, often choose breast reconstruction in Houston as the next step. More than 90,000 American women underwent breast reconstruction in 2010, a surgery that can be completed immediately after a mastectomy if you are physically and mentally prepared. The surgery, which is often covered by health insurance, may incorporate breast implants or rebuilding of the breast using your own body tissues.

What to Expect in Surgery

A common breast reconstruction procedure uses tissue expansion techniques and implants. After a mastectomy, the skin may need to be stretched over time to allow space for an implant. An expander is placed under your skin and gradually filled with saline to increase the tissue. Once the skin has been adequately stretched, the implant can be placed. The nipple is often reconstructed at a later time.

Skin flaps from donor sites elsewhere on your body may also be used to recreate the breasts.

In the TRAM flap breast reconstruction technique, which is the most popular flap procedure, tissue is removed from your abdomen. In addition to skin, fat and bone, muscle may also be used in this procedure, which can take up to six hours to complete under general anesthesia.

The DIEP flap breast reconstruction technique is very similar to the TRAM technique in that it utilizes tissue from your lower abdomen, but does not involve the removal of muscle. In this procedure, blood vessels are dissected from the abdominal muscle and reattached to blood vessels in the chest wall.

In the SGAP flap breast reconstruction technique, the buttocks is used as a donor site rather than the abdomen. This procedure is often ideal for women who lack sufficient tissue in the abdomen for the TRAM or DIEP techniques.

Recovering from Breast Reconstruction in Houston

As this is a major procedure, you can expect discomfort from surgery to last up to two weeks. During this time, Dr. Gill may prescribe medication to manage pain. Schedule a consultation to discuss the expected outcome and downtime with breast reconstruction. Each patient varies, so it is best to discuss specific details of surgery with your surgeon.

Breast Reconstruction in Houston

For more information about breast reconstruction in The Woodlands or Conroe, contact Gill Plastic Surgery at 281.853.5308 or contact us by using the online email form to schedule a consultation.