A top-notch plastic surgeon combines expertise, precision, and an artistic eye to ensure you get the best possible outcome with minimal risks. Finding the top breast reconstruction surgeon can seem like a lot of work, but your satisfaction, final aesthetic results, and overall experience all rely on you making the best choice where you feel safe and comfortable. Don’t settle for less when it comes to restoring your breasts—choose the right surgeon to feel confident and look your absolute best. If you’re looking for the top breast reconstruction surgeons, here is how you find them.
How to Find the Top Breast Reconstruction Surgeons
What distinguishes the top breast reconstruction surgeons from the rest? While many surgeons are board-certified and offer breast reconstruction, true specialization in this complex field sets the top surgeons apart.
Breast reconstruction surgery demands extensive knowledge of diverse implant and tissue-based procedures and excellent microsurgical techniques. Because this procedure sometimes requires additional revision surgeries, you’ll need a surgeon who is knowledgeable and prepared for your future needs as well as your current procedures.
Look for a plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction following cancer diagnosis, mastectomy, and prophylactic mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. While these procedures may seem similar, the timing and coordination required for each differ significantly. A skilled breast reconstruction surgeon can guide you through the complexities and tailor a plan that suits your specific circumstances and preferences.
Here are some things to look at when searching for the top breast reconstruction surgeons:
- Credentials: Seek out practitioners certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who are Fellows of the American College of Surgeons. These organizations uphold rigorous standards to ensure only top-tier plastic surgeons, highly skilled and experienced in their specialties, are accredited members.
- Experience: Experience is crucial for a great plastic surgeon because it builds expertise, confidence, and the ability to handle diverse surgical challenges effectively. Seasoned surgeons bring a wealth of knowledge and precision honed over years or decades of practice, ensuring optimal patient results.
- Contributions: Top plastic surgeons extend their influence beyond surgery by publishing in journals, conducting research, and contributing to legal cases. Check their active role in advancing the field, ensuring they stay updated with the latest techniques and innovations.
Another important aspect of choosing a breast reconstruction surgeon is to find someone you feel comfortable with and trust to
If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, or gotten a positive genetic screening result putting you in the high-risk category, you probably have a million questions. One topic we get asked about frequently is mastectomy options.
Many women want to know what different forms of surgery there are, and what that means for their final reconstruction after mastectomy. If you’re asking “What does a nipple-sparing mastectomy look like?” and want to know if you’re a good candidate, keep reading!
Overview of Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
A nipple-sparing mastectomy is a surgical technique designed to treat or prevent breast cancer while preserving the nipple and areola complex. This approach offers several cosmetic and psychological benefits when compared to total or skin-sparing mastectomies. For example, the option for Immediate reconstruction can result in a more natural-looking breast post-surgery, but it might not be the right choice for everyone.
What Does A Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy Look Like | ||
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Tissues | Tissues Removed |
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Preserved Tissues |
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Surgery | Incision |
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Tissue Removal |
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Intraoperative Assessment |
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Reconstruction |
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Scars | Inframammary Incision |
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Periareolar Incision |
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Lower Pole Vertical Incision |
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Radial Incision |
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The scarring from a nipple-sparing mastectomy is often minimal and strategically placed to reduce visibility. The appearance of scars can vary based on individual healing processes and surgical techniques, but with time, these scars typically fade and become less noticeable.
A nipple-sparing mastectomy offers a great option for eligible patients, allowing them to navigate their breast cancer journey with the best physical and emotional outcomes.
Ideal Candidates for Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
While a nipple-sparing mastectomy may seem like a great option, the procedure is not suitable for all patients.
Ideal Candidates for Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy | |
|---|---|
Early-Stage Breast Cancer | Patients with early-stage breast cancer, where the tumor is small and not located near the nipple or areola, are often good candidates. |
Preventive Mastectomy | Women at high risk of developing breast cancer, such as those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, may opt for a prophylactic mastectomy as a preventive measure. |
No Involvement of Nipple-Areola Complex | Candidates should have no signs of cancer in the nipple or areola, which is confirmed through both imaging and biopsy. |
Non-Smoker | Because smoking can affect blood circulation and healing, women are advised to stop smoking before undergoing a mastectomy. |
Good General Health | Patients should be in good overall health to minimize surgical risks and promote ideal healing. |
A nipple-sparing mastectomy offers women significant cosmetic and psychological benefits by preserving the nipple and areola complex, while still effectively treating or preventing breast cancer. Consulting with a skilled plastic surgeon can help women understand the procedural details, whether they are a good candidate, and the expected appearance of scars. Having all the information you need ahead of time can help you make informed decisions about your breast cancer treatment/prevention strategy and give you confidence during an emotional time.
Harris Plastic Surgery – Your Experts for Reconstruction after Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy
A nipple-sparing mastectomy can be a promising option for women who want to maintain a natural breast appearance post-surgery. Hopefully, now you can answer “What does a nipple-sparing mastectomy look like?” Our team at Harris Plastic Surgery is here for you on your journey from knowledge, to mastectomy, to breast reconstruction — our goal is to improve your total well-being and ensure a stress-free experience.
Harris Plastic Surgery - Your Breast Reconstruction Experts
You can contact us online or by phone/text if you have questions or are ready to schedule your consultation today.
Stephen U. Harris, MD FACS
Dr. Stephen U. Harris is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon and recognized expert in breast reduction and reconstruction surgeries, having performed thousands in his career. When it comes to patient care, his philosophy is that every surgery should improve his patient’s overall quality of life, not just their appearance. Dr. Harris stays up-to-date on all the latest advancements in breast augmentation, reconstruction, and reduction and is a recognized innovator in the field. In fact, he was the first surgeon at Good Samaritan Hospital to offer primary prepectoral implant breast reconstruction, as well as secondary prepectoral revision surgery.
Dr. Harris also serves as Chief of Plastic Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, New York and is an active staff surgeon (and former Chief of Plastic Surgery) at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, New York.