Category: Breast Reconstruction

Your Guide to Breast Surgery in Portland

Posted on by Dr. Fichadia

One of the most popular types of cosmetic and plastic surgery, breast surgery can involve many different techniques and goals – including augmentation, reduction, or lift, or a replacement or removal of implants. If you’re considering breast surgery, then you have many different options. As you schedule a consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon, it can be helpful to learn more about breast surgery and what to expect. Here’s a quick guide to breast surgery with Dr. Fichadia.

Am I a Good Candidate for Breast Surgery?

Determining whether you’re a good candidate for breast surgery is your first step. With the help of your plastic surgeon, you should consider factors like your overall health, your goals, your reproductive status, and your expectations for surgery. Since breast surgery can require downtime, it’s important to have a schedule that can accommodate you taking time to rest for 1-2 weeks.

How Do I Choose My Surgeon?

Since plastic and cosmetic surgery is such a personal choice, it’s vital you select a plastic surgeon you know and trust. In the case of Dr. Fichadia, she not only has years of experience producing excellent results for her patients, but is also double-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery. A well-known presenter of research at international surgical meetings and conferences, Dr. Fichadia offers compassionate and personalized care, taking the time to answer questions and help patients realize their goals. Make sure to meet with a few different plastic surgeons to find one that makes you feel comfortable and heard, as well as offers the expertise needed to achieve your goals.

How Long is Recovery from Breast Surgery?

This can depend on many factors, including the type of surgery performed. For example, if you have breast augmentation surgery, you’ll need to take 2 or 3 days off from work or school. Generally, a majority of recovery occurs within 2 weeks following surgery, though depending on the surgery done, 3-4 weeks of avoiding strenuous activity may be recommended. It may take several months for your augmented breasts to completely heal and achieve their final appearance.

How is Gynecomastia Surgery Performed?

For men who have enlarged breasts and opt for gynecomastia surgery, it’s usually performed either by using surgical incisions, liposuction, or a combination of the two. While liposuction can remove excess fat, a surgical incision may be needed for men who have excess glandular tissue. Though results will be noticeable immediately after surgery, some swelling will still be present for a few weeks. A normal routine can be resumed within 2 weeks but it can take up to 3 months for final results to settle in.

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Though similar to breast augmentation, breast reconstruction focuses on enhancing the shape and size of a woman’s breasts after she has undergone a mastectomy. It offers many psychological benefits to women who have fought cancer. Reconstruction can be done using breast implants or with the patient’s own body tissue. An important step in helping women rebound from cancer, Dr. Fichadia is heavily involved in the Providence St. Vincent’s breast conference, where individualized cancer treatment plans come to fruition.

Schedule Your Consultation

There’s a lot to learn from breast surgery and your board-certified plastic surgeon. To get started, we invite you to contact our Portland office to schedule a consultation with our team. Call or fill out our online contact form to get in touch.

Your Options for Breast Reconstruction After Mastectomy or Lumpectomy

Posted on by Dr. Fichadia

Mastectomy and lumpectomy are surgeries done to remove breast tissue when breast cancer develops or you’re at a high risk of developing it in the future. Many women choose to get breast reconstruction surgery to rebuild the look and the shape of their breasts after these procedures. It can take place during or after mastectomy and lumpectomy. If you’re considering breast reconstruction, then the best place to start is your reconstructive or plastic surgeon. Breast reconstruction can be a delicate and complicated process on top of your cancer treatment, so it’s important to rely on the expertise of your healthcare team. Here’s what to know about breast reconstruction and what you can expect.

Types of Breast Reconstruction

There are generally two types of breast reconstruction, and one may be best for you based on factors like your cancer treatment, preferences, and anatomy.

1. Implant Reconstruction

This procedure is done by inserting a tissue expander implant filled with saline or silicone gel. There are several options now available for reconstruction using implants. Your board certified plastic surgeon can help you determine the type of breast implant and placement. Implant reconstruction is a recommended option for women who want to avoid scars and incisions in other parts of the body. Implant based reconstruction is usually done at the same time as mastectomy, or you can wait until after you recover for a delayed reconstruction. Dr Fichadia uses cutting edge technology such as assessment of skin circulation during surgery (ICG angiography) to determine the best way to do reconstruction. She also offers the latest advances in implant based reconstruction, such as prepectoral reconstruction and direct-to-implant reconstruction. Dr. Fichadia also does fat grafting as an adjunct to implant based reconstruction. 

2. Flap Reconstruction

Flap reconstruction, also known as autologous reconstruction, uses your own tissue transplanted from another body part, usually from the back, thighs, or belly. It can sometimes be paired with implant reconstruction. The upside to using your own tissue for reconstruction is that it has a natural feel, and can be a one-time surgery. The downside is prolonged recovery time, and additional surgical incisions and surgical sites to recover from.  In some cases, fat transfer can be used to improve your results both with implant based reconstruction and flap surgery.

3. Reconstruction after lumpectomy

In some cases, a breast reduction surgery can be combined with lumpectomy to prevent significant asymmetry and deformity after a lumpectomy. This is done on both sides to optimize symmetry. 

How to Prepare for Breast Reconstruction

The best way to start your breast reconstruction journey is by talking with your healthcare team and your board-certified plastic surgeon. There are steps you’ll need to take like consulting on your surgical plan, choosing reconstruction methods, and preparing for the surgery itself. It’s important to follow your plastic surgeon’s directions to prepare for your procedure as well as your recovery so you can focus on letting your body heal.

Choosing a Qualified Plastic Surgeon

It’s important to find a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon to perform your procedure. You should always verify your plastic surgeon’s board certification and ensure they have plenty of experience in performing reconstructive surgeries. Above all, they should make you feel supported, comfortable, and heard during your consultation process.

Schedule a Consultation

Breast reconstruction can be a difficult journey, so learning more about your options can be a great place to start. To meet with Dr. Hetal Fichadia and our reconstructive team, we invite you to contact our Portland office by calling or filling out our online form.