Breast Reconstruction in Miami
If you have had all or part of a breast (or both breasts) removed and wish to restore a normal appearance to your chest, Dr. Onelio Garcia can help. He is a trusted reconstructive and plastic surgeon in Miami, Florida that uses advanced techniques to reconstruct breasts that look and feel as close to natural as possible. Dr. Garcia is honored to share his expertise with breast cancer survivors and help them to feel beautiful again.
Why Women Choose Breast Reconstruction
For many women that survive breast cancer, reconstruction is a key piece of the healing process. Reconstructing one or both breasts helps to restore positive body image and confidence. It can also help to provide closure after a challenging and emotional experience with cancer. Breast reconstruction can have a tremendous impact on quality of life for patients.
Statistics show that more and more breast cancer patients are choosing to undergo reconstruction, and experts believe that increased awareness and better access to care is responsible.
Understanding the Treatment Options
The breasts can be reconstructed several different ways. When evaluating your treatment options, you and Dr. Garcia will take into account factors such as your health, your breast size, the location and size of the breast cancer, amount of tissue available and more. Your treatment plan will be based on your goals, lifestyle, body type, age and health. Together, you and Dr. Garcia will formulate a plan that is best suited to give you the results you want in the safest way possible.
Implant-Based Reconstruction: One way to reconstruct the shape and size of the breast after cancer is to use a breast implant. The implant can be placed at the time of the cancer surgery or after recovering from it. In the case of the latter, a device called a tissue expander is placed at the time of cancer surgery to prepare for the eventual implant placement. The tissue expander is a sac resembling a balloon; it is gradually expanded to stretch the breast skin and any remaining native breast tissue so the area can later accommodate an implant. Once the skin has adequately stretched, the surgery to remove the tissue expander and place the implant is performed. A saline or silicone implant can be used, depending on personal preference.
Flap-Based Reconstruction: Another breast reconstruction technique involves using your own tissue (called a “flap”) from the abdomen or back. A flap can be used alone or in conjunction with a breast implant to recreate the breast. With a flap procedure, there are two surgical sites and scars: the donor area from which the flap is taken, and the reconstructed breast. TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis muscle) and DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flaps use tissue from the abdomen and latissimus dorsi flaps use tissue from the upper part of the back. Depending on the type of flap, the tissue may remain attached to its original blood supply and “tunneled” underneath the skin to the breast mound, or it may be completely detached from the donor area and moved to the chest.
Symmetry is an important part of the breast reconstruction treatment plan. If only one breast requires reconstruction, the opposite breast can be augmented, reduced and/or lifted in order to “match” the reconstructed breast’s size, shape and position.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Garcia
If you would like to learn more about your breast reconstruction treatment options, please contact the office of Dr. Onelio Garcia and set up a consultation with the doctor. Call us at 305-448-8900 today.
