Women who have survived breast cancer often become devastated when the disease results in the loss of one or both or their breasts. Those who have suffered this can visit Dr. Mohit Sood, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who performs breast reconstruction surgery at his practice, Sood Center. Dr. Sood is passionate about helping women restore their confidence and embrace a new outlook on life.
What Is Breast Reconstruction Surgery?
During breast reconstruction surgery, Dr. Sood rebuilds one or both of your breasts if they were removed because of cancer. He may perform the surgery using muscle or fat from other areas of your body, such as your abdomen or buttocks, or he may use an implant. Sometimes he may make one breast smaller to make it more proportionate to the other. Dr. Sood will base the method of breast reconstruction that he performs on your anatomy and the specifics of your mastectomy.
Benefits of Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Many women become devastated when they lose a breast to cancer. Reconstruction surgery minimizes the emotional scars that the disease causes by allowing women to restore their appearance. The procedure also makes shopping for clothes and bras easier. Some insurance policies even cover the cost of breast reconstruction.
How Is Breast Reconstruction Performed?
There is more than one method of breast reconstruction. Each requires anesthesia, either IV sedation that puts you into a light sleep or general anesthesia that puts you completely to sleep. Dr. Sood will perform one or more of the following methods after you fall asleep:
- Create a Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DEIP) or Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator flap (SGAP). The DIEP technique takes skin and fat from your abdomen, and the SGAP takes skin and fat from your buttocks. The skin and fat are then used to build a breast.
- Create a Transverse Rectus Abdominus Myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. This is accomplished by, taking skin, fat and muscle from your abdomen to be used to build a breast.
- Insert a tissue expander under your skin to stretch the tissues so that there is enough room for a breast implant. The expander remains in place for four to six months to have plenty of time to work.
Breast implants can be added later, no matter which of these techniques that Dr. Sood initially uses. Reconstruction surgery usually involves multiple steps and ends with the placement of your areola and nipple.
If you are seeking a plastic surgeon for breast reconstruction, contact Sood Center. Call (609) 701-4726 or (856) 421-5212 now to schedule your own plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Sood.