Boston Surgical Group

Breast Reconstruction

For many breast cancer victims, it can become necessary to perform a mastectomy – which removes part or all of the breast in order to remove the cancerous area. This can be a life–altering experience for women, as the loss of a breast can lead to trauma, depression, and some believe the ability of the body to properly heal.

If you've been diagnosed with breast cancer and a mastectomy has been suggested as an option, we'll be more than happy to discuss the possibility of reconstructing your breast during a procedure immediately following the mastectomy.

We'll work with your oncologist and surgical team to formulate a plan that's right for you. Your initial surgery must be done in a hospital, but breast reconstruction can take more than one procedure – in which case, the additional procedure can usually be performed on an outpatient basis.

During a breast reconstruction, Dr. Lach will help you select whether the reconstructive surgery will mobilize your own body tissue to create a reconstructed breast or whether a saline– or silicone gel–filled implant will be affixed in the breast area, and one of the two following techniques can be used:

1. Flap reconstruction, in which we take skin from your back area and move it to the breast.
2. Skin expansion, in which an expander valve is inserted and gradually filled over time in order to allow the skin to expand naturally

Then, during a second procedure, your nipple and areole will be reconstructed. Within six weeks, you should be fully healed and ready to resume a full, healthy life!