Breast reconstruction is a complicated and emotionally charged process. With the right surgeon, it can also be an exciting time of healing and moving on in life.
Your relationship with your breast surgeon is vital to the success of your reconstruction surgery.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery
There were 232,670 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the United States in 2014, according to the American Cancer Society. Of those women who elect to have mastectomies done, 42 percent will choose breast reconstruction. The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act in 1998 guarantees insurance coverage for mastectomy reconstruction following a breast cancer diagnosis. While the recovery time is slightly longer than the mastectomy procedure alone, women say it’s an important decision “from an emotional standpoint.”
In recent years, many of the hang-ups people had about breast reconstruction have been assuaged. For instance, cohesive gel “gummy bear” implants hold a natural shape, rather than riding high and bouncy. Free tissue transfer implants use the patient’s abdominal tissue for a natural look without foreign substances like silicone placed in the body. The NY Times reports that 64,114 silicone implants, 7,898 saline implants, and 19,000 analogous tissue implants were done in 2012. For a full list of implant types offered by Manhattan’s top-female plastic surgeon Dr. Preminger, please click here.
A New York breast reconstruction surgery is a bright spot amid the clouds – something that makes a woman feel more confident and comfortable with her body after the invasiveness of cancer. Dr. B. Aviva Preminger is an Ivy League-educated Manhattan plastic surgeon and mother of three. She lends compassionate care during this difficult time and breaks down the options in a clear way to help women make a decision they are comfortable with for years to come.
Dr. Aviva Preminger is dedicated to providing breast reconstruction patients with comprehensive care and expert guidance. She is featured in a recent ABC News Glam Lab Breast Reconstruction Story, where she shares her expertise and discusses a transformative breast reconstruction treatment that helps women regain confidence in their own skin.
Before & After
Quick Facts
Procedure Length
2-3 Hours
Anesthesia
General
In/Out Patient
Outpatient
Risks
Bleeding, infection, asymmetry, scarring
Side Effects
Bruising, swelling, soreness
Recovery
Back to work in 2-3 weeks, full recovery in 6 weeks
Duration of Results
Years
Recovery
Most patients are up and running again in six to eight weeks. Sometimes surgical drains are put in place that require removal after about a week. Patients are sent home with support garments, prescription pain medication, and specific instructions for post-operative care. Swelling and bruising are common for the first eight weeks. Strenuous activities should be avoided for at least four to six weeks.
According to the NY Times, reconstructive surgery can take nine weeks, but the full recovery process takes nine months to a year. Immediate risks include infection, bleeding, anesthesia reaction, and persistent pain or tightness in the chest, back, and shoulder. In rare cases, implants may leak or rupture.
New York City Breast Surgeon
Results vary widely, which is why the choice of surgeon is paramount. Yet, even with one of the best surgeon, it is important for patients to understand that, while natural and shapely, their breasts will never be exactly like what has been replaced. There will be permanent scars at any incision and donor sites, though they will fade from purple to white over time. For many women, the desire to “feel whole again” outweighs these minor concerns.
It typically takes a little while to get used to breast reconstruction, no matter how good the results are. Dr. B. Aviva Preminger is here to listen to her patients’ concerns and assist in every way possible during this period. Past patients have referred to her as friendly, professional and caring with an “excellent bedside manner.”
Women interested in mastectomy reconstruction are invited to contact NY plastic surgeon Dr. B. Aviva Preminger at (212) 706-1900 or contact us online to schedule a private consultation.