Breast Surgery
Breast Reconstruction in Montclair, NJ with Dr. Caroline Szpalski
Breast reconstruction can be an emotional procedure, often following the invasiveness of breast cancer and its surgical treatment. Reconstruction of the breast is a surgical procedure that is performed after a mastectomy or lumpectomy It is also available to women seeking prophylactic risk-reducing surgery. As breasts play a significant role in feminine identity, losing one’s breasts can affect not only their appearance but their confidence and sense of self. For many women, breast reconstruction helps them reclaim their distinct identity and feel like themselves again by positively impacting their body image and self-confidence.
As a highly emotional journey, breast reconstruction requires a respectful, sensitive, and highly experienced surgeon. Fellowship-trained female plastic surgeon Dr. Caroline Szpalski wants to help you feel confident in your own skin again and is honored to be part of this journey with her brave patients, making her your choice as one of the best breast reconstruction surgeons in the tri-state area of New Jersey.
Contact us today at (646) 777-0170 or complete our online form to schedule your breast reconstruction consultation today. We are located in Newark, NJ and proudly serve patients in the Montclair, Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Clifton, The Oranges, Paramus, and Franklin’s Lakes areas.
What Is Breast Reconstruction in New Jersey?
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure that utilizes advanced techniques to rebuild the breast and nipple to restore the overall figure, improve body image, and restore self-confidence. Different types of breast reconstruction and a variety of surgical techniques are available. The best treatment plan for each patient will depend on their overall health, the details of their cancer treatment, their personal preferences, and Dr. Szpalski’s recommendations. Overall, breast reconstruction usually takes multiple surgeries scheduled over several months.
In the setting of a mastectomy, skin-sparing or otherwise, this can be reconstructed using 2 different modalities. One modality will be to proceed with an implant-based reconstruction.
The second option when you undergo a mastectomy is to undergo an autologous procedure (also named flap). The flap can be free or pedicled.
Some patients may require a combination of both modalities to achieve a successful and beautiful breast reconstruction.
During your consultation, Dr. Szpalski will thoroughly explain all available options to develop a unique breast reconstruction treatment plan. In certain cases, Dr. Szpalski may recommend combining breast reconstruction techniques to achieve the desired outcome and pleasing results.
Methods for Breast Reconstruction in New Jersey
Breast Implants
Breast implants, including saline or silicone implants, can be used to reconstruct the breast mound.
This is typically performed in 2 stages, with the placement of an expander at the time of mastectomy followed by a second operation in order to exchange the expander for the permanent implant. In the right candidate, it can be done in a single stage as well.
The majority of patients decide to use a silicone implant as they tend to look and feel more natural compared to the saline implant. The patient may need some additional coverage with an acellular dermal matrix in order to provide additional coverage of the expander/implant. The product will ultimately be incorporated into the patient’s own tissue. Dr. Szpalski favors a prepectoral placement of the implants when feasible. Otherwise, it will be placed underneath the pectoralis major muscle. The second operation for exchange the expander for the permanent implant is typically performed in conjunction with any symmetry procedures on the contralateral breast if needed. Fat grafting often happens at the same time or at a later time.
In the case of tight chest tissue, Dr. Szpalski may first insert a tissue expander, a modified version of a saline implant that has a valve to gradually make room for the implant. When the desired size is achieved, the tissue expander is removed and replaced with saline or silicone implants.
For some patients, a one-stage breast reconstruction using full-sized silicone gel breast implants which can be placed at the same time as a mastectomy is an option. Only smooth, round devices are used by Dr. Szpalski.
Autologous (Flap) Reconstruction
Flap breast reconstruction uses skin, tissue, or muscle from a donor area of the body, such as the abdomen, back, or buttocks, to reconstruct the breast mound. An advantage of flap reconstruction is a natural look and feel, as part of your own body is used to construct your new breast.
Some flap options tunnel the tissue beneath the skin to the chest to maintain the flap’s blood supply, creating a new breast mound (pedicled flap). These flaps can either be a muscle from the back or skin and fat from the lateral chest or back. In both cases, the flood supply of the tissue is not disrupted (different than a free flap reconstruction).
Other flap options completely detach the tissues from the body, then reattach them through microsurgery (free flap). It is a significantly more challenging operation and, in order to rebuild the breast, requires the surgeon to harvest tissue from another place on the body and transfer that tissue to the breast. This operation typically spans approximately 6-12 hours and will require a hospital stay of approximately 3-5 days. It requires microsurgical expertise, a subspecialty of plastic surgery in which Dr. Szpaski is specifically trained. She has extensive trai