Mastectomy with Immediate Breast Reconstruction Surgery – Serving La Jolla, North County, and All San Diego
According to the Center for Disease Control, breast cancer was the most prevalent type of cancer among women in 2004, affecting more women than lung and colorectal cancers combined. At Surgical Associates of La Jolla, our oncologists are prepared to fight this disease and its aftereffects. Our skilled, experienced surgeons provide exceptional services and the emotional support patients battling cancer need and deserve. With options including mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction surgery, patients from La Jolla, North County, and other San Diego communities can expect to receive highly advanced care tailored to their needs. These treatments are designed to eliminate cancer, restore the shape of the breasts, and help patients enjoy the highest possible quality of life after cancer treatment.
What is mastectomy?
Mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts for the prevention or treatment of breast cancer. Some patients who are at an extremely high risk of developing breast cancer may undergo a mastectomy preventively (prophylacticallly) before the cancer actually develops. Otherwise, mastectomy is most often used when:
- Removal of a portion of breast tissue (lumpectomy) is insufficient to remove the cancerous cells
- Radiation exposure is unduly risky
- There are more than one tumors in the breast
- The tumors are spreading rapidly
- Removal of the tumor would necessitate removal of a large amount of breast tissue
There are several types of mastectomies, some of which involve removal of more breast tissue, surrounding lymph nodes, and underlying pectoral muscles than others. The type of mastectomy a doctor recommends depends on the size, location, and development of the tumor, whether or not the surgery is prophylactic, and whether the patient will undergo breast reconstruction surgery. Patients in the San Diego areas of La Jolla, North County, and beyond who are exploring mastectomy options should contact our office to schedule a consultation. Our experienced oncologists will help determine whether a mastectomy is right for you and, if it is, which procedure is most appropriate in your case.
How is mastectomy performed?
To perform a mastectomy, the surgeon first administers general anesthesia. When the anesthetic has taken effect, the surgeon makes an incision in the breast. The type of incision will largely depend on the type of mastectomy that is to be performed. The surgeon will then carefully cut free and remove breast tissue. Once the breast tissue has been removed, small, plastic tubes are placed under the skin to drain any fluids that may accumulate. Finally, the skin surrounding the breast area is sutured closed and allowed to heal.
However, if the patient has chosen to undergo immediate breast reconstruction surgery, which is available to patients from La Jolla, North County, and other San Diego areas at the Surgical Associates of La Jolla, a skin sparing mastectomy technique is employed. During a skin sparing mastectomy, the surgeon saves as much skin of the breast as possible. Ideally, only the skin around the tumor and nipple is removed, while the breast tissue is still excised, just as in a normal mastectomy.
Immediate Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Even the notion of a mastectomy can be traumatic for most women. For this reason, after a mastectomy, many women choose breast reconstruction surgery. Breast reconstruction of the highest caliber is performed by plastic surgeons our staff works closely with, using either an implant or fat and skin tissue from another part of the body to recreate the original shape of the breasts.
In addition to traditional breast reconstructions, we are pleased to offer immediate breast reconstruction surgery, which allows a woman to have her breast(s) reconstructed the same day as her mastectomy. This option provides benefits of traditional reconstructive surgery without the wait. Patients undergoing an immediate reconstruction undergo a skin sparing mastectomy, a technique that the surgeon will use to save as much breast skin. By doing so, a pocket of breast skin is created, which the reconstructive plastic surgeon can fill with an implant or the patient's own fat and skin tissue.
The Benefits of Immediate Breast Reconstruction
For women who are candidates for immediate breast reconstruction, the procedure offers numerous benefits. For example, the surgery:
- Minimizes damage to the chest tissues by radiation therapy.
- Minimizes scarring, since it eliminates the need to re-open the chest area for delayed implant placement.
- Eliminates the waiting period involved in traditional breast reconstruction.
- Can reduce the emotional impact of having to go weeks or months without a reconstruction.
Contact Our Breast Reconstruction Surgery Center
If you are considering breast reconstruction surgery and live in the San Diego area, contact the Surgical Associates of La Jolla to receive the guidance you need. Our team will discuss your options for reconstruction and provide the compassionate guidance and support you are looking for every step of the way.
To view this, you need to install the Flash Player 9. Please go to here and download it.
Learn more about breast reconstruction surgery by contacting our La Jolla practice, serving North County and metro San Diego, today.
Surgical Associates of La Jolla
Dr. Paul Hyde
Dr. Mark Sherman
Dr. Cheryl Olson
9850 Genesee Ave., Suite 660
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 452-5054
Fax: (858) 452-5097
La Jolla Weight Management
Dr. Mark Sherman
Dr. Cheryl Olson
9850 Genesee Ave., Suite 660
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: (858) 452-5054
Fax: (858) 452-5097
To view this, you need to install the Flash Player 9. Please go to here and download it.
