Breast
Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction in Salt Lake City UT | Saltz Plastic Surgery

Breast
Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction in Salt Lake City UT | Saltz Plastic Surgery

Breast
Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction in Salt Lake City UT | Saltz Plastic Surgery
Breast Reconstruction in Salt Lake City UT Saltz Plastic Surgery

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

What is Breast Reconstruction?

A mastectomy is a traumatic experience for a woman, and can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a general sense of self-consciousness. Breast reconstruction can restore a woman’s breasts after a mastectomy, and with it her self-image.

A reconstructed breast can have the same look and feel as a natural one. Frequently, reconstruction is possible immediately following a mastectomy so the patient is spared the experience of seeing herself without one or both breasts. Beyond reconstruction, some women also opt for augmentation, a lift, or reduction at the same time to create symmetry when only one breast was affected.

Breast Reconstruction in Salt Lake City UT Saltz Plastic Surgery

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

What is Breast Reconstruction?

A mastectomy is a traumatic experience for a woman, and can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a general sense of self-consciousness. Breast reconstruction can restore a woman’s breasts after a mastectomy, and with it her self-image.

A reconstructed breast can have the same look and feel as a natural one. Frequently, reconstruction is possible immediately following a mastectomy so the patient is spared the experience of seeing herself without one or both breasts. Beyond reconstruction, some women also opt for augmentation, a lift, or reduction at the same time to create symmetry when only one breast was affected.

Breast Reconstruction in Salt Lake City UT Saltz Plastic Surgery

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

What is Breast Reconstruction?

A mastectomy is a traumatic experience for a woman, and can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and a general sense of self-consciousness. Breast reconstruction can restore a woman’s breasts after a mastectomy, and with it her self-image.

A reconstructed breast can have the same look and feel as a natural one. Frequently, reconstruction is possible immediately following a mastectomy so the patient is spared the experience of seeing herself without one or both breasts. Beyond reconstruction, some women also opt for augmentation, a lift, or reduction at the same time to create symmetry when only one breast was affected.

The topic of breast reconstruction can be a very sensitive one for most women because they are also dealing with illness. When considering reconstruction, be sure to talk with friends about the procedure to discuss your feelings associated with having reconstructive surgery. There will be an extensive recovery period in which you will have pain, bruising, and swelling.

The procedure can be done at the same time as your mastectomy, or it can be delayed until you have fully recovered and are no longer receiving any medical treatment. Either way, reconstructive surgery, although not what you want to do, is a big step toward feeling whole again.

Before your surgery, you will meet with Dr. Saltz to discuss how your surgery will proceed. If you are having a mastectomy at the same time, it may require meeting with both surgeons at once to fully plan everything out. During this consultation, you will discuss your goals for the surgery as well as any worries you may have.

The procedure is done in one of the following ways:

  • Flap Technique — This technique uses your own muscle, skin, and fat to create or cover the breast mound.
  • Tram Flap — Sometimes mastectomy leaves little tissue to be used for reconstruction. In this case, muscle, fat, and skin from the abdomen is used. Once placed, the blood supply is reattached to the muscle and skin.
  • Latissimus Dorsi Flap — This technique uses muscle, tissue, and fat from the upper back tunneled to the mastectomy site. This leaves the tissue attached to the blood supply, requiring no surgical attachment.

All these steps are used to cover a breast implant. Sometimes there is sufficient flap tissue to create a full breast, but usually an implant is needed. The breast implant will be either saline or silicone gel.

  • Saline Implants — Breast implants filled with a sterile salt water solution. The fill size of these implants can be adjusted depending on the increase, firmness, and shape you would like. The benefit of saline implants is that if they should they ever leak, the salt water solution will be naturally absorbed by the body.
  • Silicone Gel Implants — Breast implants comprised of silicone gel. The benefit of silicone is that it looks and acts more akin to natural tissue than saline. Since detecting a leak in a silicone implant is not easy, yearly mammograms to check for leakage are required with silicone implants.

Finally, the areola and nipple are reconstructed using various grafting techniques which you will discuss with Dr. Saltz.

After your surgery, you will have bandages and elastic supports to allow the newly reconstructed breast to properly heal. A small thin tube will be used to drain any excess fluids, and you may be given a pain pump to reduce the need for narcotics. Dr. Saltz will talk you through your individual recovery timeline because this will be heavily dependent on your individual needs and the progress of your recovery from illness, as well.

Breast reconstruction is usually covered by insurance since it is reconstructive surgery and not cosmetic. The total cost can vary depending on whether you need one or two reconstructions and which techniques will be used. Although Dr. Saltz is not a preferred provider with any insurance plan, we can provide you with documentation to submit to your insurance company post-surgery so you can seek reimbursement.

You can learn more about connecting with women of similar experiences through Dr. Saltz’ breast cancer foundation, Image Reborn Foundation. Through this group, Dr. Saltz and others work to create support networks and provide no-cost healing retreats for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Click here to visit the Image Reborn Foundation’s website and learn more.

For more information regarding breast procedures visit our blog.

The topic of breast reconstruction can be a very sensitive one for most women because they are also dealing with illness. When considering reconstruction, be sure to talk with friends about the procedure to discuss your feelings associated with having reconstructive surgery. There will be an extensive recovery period in which you will have pain, bruising, and swelling.

The procedure can be done at the same time as your mastectomy, or it can be delayed until you have fully recovered and are no longer receiving any medical treatment. Either way, reconstructive surgery, although not what you want to do, is a big step toward feeling whole again.

Before your surgery, you will meet with Dr. Saltz to discuss how your surgery will proceed. If you are having a mastectomy at the same time, it may require meeting with both surgeons at once to fully plan everything out. During this consultation, you will discuss your goals for the surgery as well as any worries you may have.

The procedure is done in one of the following ways:

  • Flap Technique — This technique uses your own muscle, skin, and fat to create or cover the breast mound.
  • Tram Flap — Sometimes mastectomy leaves little tissue to be used for reconstruction. In this case, muscle, fat, and skin from the abdomen is used. Once placed, the blood supply is reattached to the muscle and skin.
  • Latissimus Dorsi Flap — This technique uses muscle, tissue, and fat from the upper back tunneled to the mastectomy site. This leaves the tissue attached to the blood supply, requiring no surgical attachment.

All these steps are used to cover a breast implant. Sometimes there is sufficient flap tissue to create a full breast, but usually an implant is needed. The breast implant will be either saline or silicone gel.

  • Saline Implants — Breast implants filled with a sterile salt water solution. The fill size of these implants can be adjusted depending on the increase, firmness, and shape you would like. The benefit of saline implants is that if they should they ever leak, the salt water solution will be naturally absorbed by the body.
  • Silicone Gel Implants — Breast implants comprised of silicone gel. The benefit of silicone is that it looks and acts more akin to natural tissue than saline. Since detecting a leak in a silicone implant is not easy, yearly mammograms to check for leakage are required with silicone implants.

Finally, the areola and nipple are reconstructed using various grafting techniques which you will discuss with Dr. Saltz.

After your surgery, you will have bandages and elastic supports to allow the newly reconstructed breast to properly heal. A small thin tube will be used to drain any excess fluids, and you may be given a pain pump to reduce the need for narcotics. Dr. Saltz will talk you through your individual recovery timeline because this will be heavily dependent on your individual needs and the progress of your recovery from illness, as well.

Breast reconstruction is usually covered by insurance since it is reconstructive surgery and not cosmetic. The total cost can vary depending on whether you need one or two reconstructions and which techniques will be used. Although Dr. Saltz is not a preferred provider with any insurance plan, we can provide you with documentation to submit to your insurance company post-surgery so you can seek reimbursement.

You can learn more about connecting with women of similar experiences through Dr. Saltz’ breast cancer foundation, Image Reborn Foundation. Through this group, Dr. Saltz and others work to create support networks and provide no-cost healing retreats for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Click here to visit the Image Reborn Foundation’s website and learn more.

For more information regarding breast procedures visit our blog.

Ready To Get Started?

We combine preoperative treatment, surgery, and postoperative care for a comprehensive, holistic treatment for all patients. Call today for more information about Breast Reconstruction After Breast Cancer Salt Lake City & Park City or to schedule your consultation 435.655.6612 or 801.274.9500.

"So thankful for Dr. Saltz and his staff. Everyone at Saltz is so helpful and kind. Would highly recommend Dr. Saltz to anyone. I have been very happy with his services." -- Melissa E.

Ready To Get Started?

We combine preoperative treatment, surgery, and postoperative care for a comprehensive, holistic treatment for all patients. Call today for more information about Breast Reconstruction After Breast Cancer Salt Lake City & Park City or to schedule your consultation
435.655.6612 or 801.274.9500.

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Hours
Park City

Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Open 2nd Saturday of every month

Salt Lake City

Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm
Open 2nd Saturday of every month

Contact Us Today

Request a
Consultation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Newsletter

Be the first to know about our latest specials and upcoming events. Subscribe to our newsletter by entering your email below.

Hours
Park City

Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm

Salt Lake City

Monday - Friday: 9am - 5pm

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