What Are The Second Stage Breast Reconstruction Procedures?
During the second stage breast reconstruction procedure, both 1.) nipple reconstruction and 2.) adjustments for breast shape and symmetry are completed . Patients who have had DIEP flap breast reconstruction will almost certainly require a second minor operation about three months after the main breast reconstruction surgery. This is planned in order to take care of minor issues that almost inevitably occur after autologous breast reconstruction. Second stage breast reconstruction surgeries are generally done as outpatient procedures and are done under general anaesthesia.
SECOND STAGE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION | NIPPLE RECONSTRUCTION
Typically, the main goal in second stage breast reconstruction surgeries involves the reconstruction of the nipple. After autologous breast reconstruction, usually an extra piece of skin, called a skin island, will be left somewhere in the breast reconstruction which is part of the donor tissue. This can either be left as a small ellipse which will be totally removed, or it will be left as a circle in the middle of the breast reconstruction to represent the new areola. If the skin island is left in the center of the breast as a new areola, it can be converted into a nipple reconstruction at the time of the second-stage procedures. This reconstructed nipple will then be tattooed at a later date.
SECOND STAGE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION | ADJUSTMENTS FOR SYMMETRY AND SHAPE
We also take this opportunity during second stage breast reconstruction to adjust the autologous reconstruction by improving symmetry and shape of the breast reconstruction. The breast reconstruction is living tissue and can be reduced or augmented relatively easily. The augmentation would include some type of lipofilling or fat grafting.
SECOND STAGE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION | FAT GRAFTING
Fat grafting is injecting the patient’s own body fat into the reconstructed breast, and this also includes the removal of fat from the patient’s body either from the donor site or from an area that would benefit from liposuction contouring.
SECOND STAGE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION | LIPOFILLING
The removal of fat is done with liposuction, and this liposuction is an opportunity to improve the contour of the donor area. For example, if the patient had undergone a DIEP breast reconstruction, the liposuction will be done in the abdominal area to smooth the contour and to correct any deformities that persist after the harvesting of the abdominal tissue. This liposuctioned fat is then processed and injected as a graft into the patient’s reconstructed breasts to improve volume or contour or symmetry.
Dr. Joshua L. Levine, MD FACS
World Leading Authority in Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction
Based in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut
Dr. Joshua Levine is a world-renowned perforator flap breast reconstruction surgeon. Meaning, all of his breast reconstruction procedures, are muscle-sparing, using only your own natural tissue to restore your breast(s). He operates out of top cutting-edge and award-winning hospital facilities in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, alongside a hand-selected surgical team that matches his expertise. He’s been pioneering advancements in the field of perforator flap breast reconstruction since the beginning of his career in 2004, and has completed over 1,700 successful reconstruction procedures.
Nelly K.
Dr. Levine Has restored what cancer took from me. He is caring, compassionate and a true artist. It is virtually impossible to tell that my breasts are not my ‘originals’
Rena H.
Dr Levine is an outstanding Doctor. He is a wonderful human being and a highly skilled surgeon. My results are nothing short of miraculous. There is no one like Doctor Levine. He is an artist and a true professional.
