Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Autologous Breast Reconstruction Options for Thin Patients and High-Risk Cases

Women often face barriers in accessing advanced breast reconstruction options for thin patients and high-risk cases like diabetes due to surgeons’ limited experience and comfort with these techniques.

Dr. Joshua L. Levine, a world-renowned pioneer microsurgeon, specializes exclusively in natural tissue breast reconstruction, offering unparalleled expertise and innovative solutions.

Autologous Breast Reconstruction Options for Thin Patients and High-Risk Cases

Many women seeking autologous breast reconstruction encounter obstacles due to their surgeons’ limited experience or comfort with advanced techniques, particularly for thin patients and high-risk cases such as those with diabetes. These challenges highlight the importance of surgeon expertise in addressing diverse patient needs in breast reconstruction.

Article Narration by Dr. Joshua L. Levine, MD, FACS

Overlooked Candidates: Why Surgeon Experience Matters in Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Many women seeking autologous breast reconstruction have been told that they are not candidates. This can be attributed to various physical characteristics of the patient, such as low body weight, prior surgery, or increased surgical risk.

However, the reason may actually be that the patient has not been offered autologous breast reconstruction because the surgeon is not comfortable or experienced enough in the procedure to recommend it in challenging cases.

While it is true that some patients may present more challenges than others, making them more difficult or risky cases, it is also true that anyone who is a candidate for mastectomy and breast reconstruction is also a candidate for autologous tissue reconstruction.

Beyond the Basics: The Art and Science of Tailored Breast Reconstruction for Thin Patients

For thin patients, the microsurgeon may have to be creative in the procedure or procedures offered for breast reconstruction. And the procedure may require advanced skills, for example, combined flap procedures or esoteric flaps not commonly performed.

The bottom line is that if patients understand the limitations with respect to the options available, and the volume obtainable for breast reconstruction, even thin patients are definitely candidates for autologous breast reconstruction. For patients who have had prior surgery, rendering certain donor sites unavailable, more esoteric flap procedures may have to be considered.

Balancing Safety and Results: Strategies for Autologous Breast Reconstruction in Medically Complex Cases

For patients who have medical or surgical risk factors like diabetes, coagulopathy, or others, tissue can be offered with the understanding that certain precautions may need to be taken in order to maximize safety.

Relevant Links

Dr. Levine’s Advanced Procedures

Dr. Levine, a leading DIEP flap breast reconstruction surgeon, has developed pioneering techniques in extension and stacked flap procedures, making all women candidates regardless of body type.

Patient Results Before & After Gallery

The photographs in this section are of actual patients of Dr. Joshua Levine. They have undergone various types of natural tissue breast reconstruction.

Breast Reconstruction Education Video Library

Our video library offers a comprehensive collection of educational videos on breast reconstruction. It includes detailed procedure narrations with medical illustrations and insightful lectures and talks by Dr. Levine.