The Decision of “When” in Breast Reconstruction
Timing can be everything when it comes to optimal breast reconstruction. Our patients have every available option in choosing services with Dr. Levine.
Breast reconstruction can be done immediately after a mastectomy during the same operative session or within 2 weeks in a separate operative session or can be delayed until months, if not years, later. The decision of “when” is highly personal with factors to consider with your treating physicians.
The following are reasons why women may elect to reconstruct their breast(s) at the same time as mastectomy (immediate breast reconstruction) or postpone to a later time (delayed breast reconstruction.) or facilitate a combination of the two (staged-immediate).
Immediate:
Breast reconstruction is done at the same time as mastectomy with one of our expert breast surgeons.
Staged-Immediate:
Breast reconstruction is done separately, generally within two weeks of mastectomy.
Surgical Delay with DIEP, SIEA, or DCIA Flap:
The surgical delay procedure is an invaluable preemptive procedure that increases the reliability and the amount of tissue we can harvest from the abdomen with either a DIEP, SIEA, DCIA Flap procedure. As a result of this preemptive procedure, patients who may have been told that the abdomen is not available as a donor site may now be candidates. After doing this short outpatient procedure approximately one week prior to the free flap breast reconstruction.
Delayed:
Breast reconstruction is done at any time after prophylactic mastectomy.