Breast Reconstruction in Maryland

When breast removal becomes necessary, the changes can be quite startling. Breast reconstruction with implants or tram flap breast reconstruction in Frederick and Mount Airy, Maryland, can enable women to rebuild their bust after a traumatic injury or surgical procedure, allowing them to once again enjoy their ideal curves and contours.

What Is Breast Reconstruction?

Reconstruction of a breast that has been removed due to cancer or other diseases is one of the most rewarding surgical procedures available today. New medical techniques and devices have made it possible for Dr. Cappuccino to create breasts that can come close in form and appearance to your natural bust, and he is frequently able to perform reconstruction immediately following breast removal (mastectomy). This enables you to wake up with breast mounds already in place, having been spared the experience of seeing yourself with no breasts at all.

Breast reconstruction can be performed with either implants or the patient’s own autologous tissue (tram flap breast reconstruction). During your extensive consultation process, Dr. Cappuccino will explain the benefits of each option and help you make the right decision as to the type of approach you wish to pursue. If you think breast reconstruction might be the right choice for you, reach out to us at our Mount Airy, Maryland, office and set up your in-person consultation today.

What Are the Benefits of Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction provides patients with a wealth of benefits – physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Advantages include:

Re-establishes a sense of normalcy after lumpectomy or mastectomy
Creates a more symmetrical, balanced chest appearance
Enhances the fit of clothing, swimwear, and lingerie
Encourages a more positive self-image
Increases proportion in the figure
Can be performed with either implants or autologous tissue flaps
Can be performed either immediately after mastectomy/lumpectomy or at a later date

Who Makes an Ideal Candidate for Breast Reconstruction in Mount Airy?

Most mastectomy patients are medically appropriate for reconstruction, which can even be performed at the same time that the breast is removed. The best candidates, however, are women whose cancer, as far as can be determined, seems to have been eliminated by mastectomy.

Still, there are legitimate reasons to wait. Many women aren't comfortable weighing all the options while they're struggling to cope with a cancer diagnosis. Others simply don't want to have any more surgery than is absolutely necessary. Some patients may be advised by their surgeons to wait, particularly if the breast is being rebuilt in a more complicated procedure using flaps of skin and underlying tissue. Women with other health conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, or smoking, may also be advised to wait.

Before & After

Planning Your Breast Reconstruction Surgery

You can begin talking about breast reconstruction as soon as you're diagnosed with cancer. Ideally, you'll want your breast surgeon and your plastic surgeon to work together to develop a strategy that will put you in the best possible condition for reconstruction.

After evaluating your health, Dr. Cappuccino will explain which reconstructive options are most appropriate for your age, health, anatomy, tissues, and goals. He’ll take care to describe your options to you, going over the risks and limitations of each. You’ll be given very specific instructions on how to both prepare for and recover from your surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.

While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your surgery and to help you out for a few days, if needed. This is an outpatient procedure, and you’ll return home once it’s complete.

What Can I Expect From My Breast Reconstruction Procedure in Maryland?

Dr. Guy Cappuccino’s high level of training enables him to offer a few different methods by which he can perform a breast reconstruction procedure. He’ll walk you through the options available to you and help you pick out the treatment that will best meet your goals.

Skin Expansion

The most common technique combines skin expansion and subsequent insertion of an implant. Following mastectomy, Dr. Cappuccino will insert a balloon expander beneath your skin and chest muscle. Through a tiny valve mechanism buried beneath the skin, he will periodically inject a salt-water solution to gradually fill the expander over several weeks or months. After the skin over the breast area has stretched enough, the expander may be removed in a second operation, and a more permanent implant will be inserted. Some expanders are designed to be left in place as the final implant. The nipple and the dark skin surrounding it, called the areola, are reconstructed in a subsequent procedure.

Flap Reconstruction

An alternative approach to implant reconstruction involves the creation of a skin flap using tissue taken from other parts of the body, such as the back, abdomen, or buttocks. In one type of flap surgery, the tissue remains attached to its original site, retaining its blood supply. The flap, consisting of the skin, fat, and muscle with its blood supply, is tunneled beneath the skin to the chest, creating a pocket for an implant or, in some cases, creating the breast mound itself without the need for an implant. Another flap technique uses tissue that is surgically removed from the abdomen, thighs, or buttocks and then transplanted to the chest by reconnecting the blood vessels to new ones in that region. This procedure requires the skills of a plastic surgeon who is experienced in microvascular surgery. Regardless of technique, this surgery is more complex than skin expansion with implants. Scars will be left at both the tissue donor site and at the reconstructed breast, and recovery will take longer than with implants. On the other hand, when the breast is reconstructed entirely with your own tissue, the results are generally more natural, and there are no safety concerns about implant rupture or other complications.

Follow-Up Procedures

Most breast reconstruction involves a series of procedures that occur over time. Usually, the initial reconstructive operation is the most complex. Follow-up surgery may be required to replace a tissue expander with an implant or to reconstruct the nipple and the areola.

Dr. Cappuccino may recommend an additional operation to enlarge, reduce, or lift the natural breast to match the reconstructed breast. But keep in mind that this procedure may leave scars on an otherwise normal breast and may not be covered by insurance.

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After Your Breast Reconstruction Surgery

You are likely to feel tired and sore for a week or two after your breast reconstruction. Most of your discomfort can be controlled with oral medications prescribed by the doctor. Depending on the extent of your breast reconstruction in Mount Airy, Maryland, you'll probably be released from the hospital in two to five days. Many reconstruction options require a surgical drain to remove excess fluids from surgical sites immediately following the operation, but these are removed within the first week or two after surgery. Sutures are usually removed within 7-10 days.

Getting Back To Normal

It may take you up to six weeks to recover from a combined mastectomy and reconstruction or from a tram flap breast reconstruction alone. If implants are used without flaps and reconstruction is done apart from the mastectomy, your recovery time may be shorter. Breast reconstruction cannot restore normal sensation to your breast, but in time, some feeling may return. Most scars will fade substantially over time, though it may take as long as one to two years.

Enjoying Your New Look

Chances are your reconstructed breast may feel firmer and look rounder or flatter than your natural breasts. It may not have the same contour as your breast before mastectomy, nor will it exactly match your opposite breast, but these differences will be apparent only to you. For most mastectomy patients, breast reconstruction dramatically improves their appearance and quality of life following surgery. If you’re considering this procedure, reach out to Dr. Cappuccino at his Frederick and Mount Airy-area location and set up your consultation today.

What Will My Breast Reconstruction Consultation Entail?

During your consultation in Maryland, Dr. Cappuccino will work closely with you to determine the best course of action for your breast reconstruction. Choosing whether to select implants or tram flap breast reconstruction and when to undergo the procedure are highly personal and sometimes sensitive decisions, and Dr. Cappuccino will call upon his vast experience and high level of training to guide you through the process.

During your initial visit, he will listen carefully to your concerns, answer all your questions, and complete the required medical and physical assessment process. He will go over the risks, benefits, costs, downtime, and potential results for both autologous flap surgery and tissue expansion with implants, ensuring your expectations are realistic and that you have the information needed to make the best decisions for your ultimate well-being and peace of mind.

How Much Does Breast Reconstruction Cost in Mount Airy?

According to RealSelf.com, the average cost of breast reconstruction surgery is $17,639. However, pricing can vary depending on the specific techniques utilized, the type of implants selected, and whether surgery is paired with other aesthetic options.

Pricing typically includes anesthesia fees, facility fees, medical testing fees, postoperative garment fees, surgeon’s fees, and medication fees, among others. Reconstruction after breast cancer is often covered by health insurance, either in part or in whole, depending on the policy.

Remember that your choice of plastic surgeon should involve more than just comparing prices. Your surgeon’s expertise, training, credentials, demeanor, and ability to truly listen to your goals and concerns should all play a significant role in the selection process. Choosing a board-certified body sculpting expert like Dr. Guy Cappuccino in Mount Airy ensures you are working with a vetted, experienced provider who has undergone extensive training in the field and whose career has been dedicated to delivering transformative and nuanced outcomes.

Why Select Dr. Guy Cappuccino for Breast Reconstruction?

Dr. Guy Cappuccino is a precision-oriented, board-certified body contouring specialist in Maryland who offers concierge care and elegant, natural-looking results for those in and beyond Frederick and Mount Airy. He practices active listening during the consultation process in order to translate your unique cosmetic vision into a stunning reality that exceeds expectations for excellence. Dr. Cappuccino favors an educational approach to care, making sure you are fully empowered and informed at every juncture of the treatment journey.

Dr. Cappuccino obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in New York before pursuing a highly competitive plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) in New Jersey. He completed his general surgery training at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in the state. Eager to continue refining his skill set, Dr. Cappuccino was then selected for an elite Fellowship in Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery.

FAQ's

What Are the Risks Associated With Breast Reconstruction?

Is Breast Reconstruction Painful?

Can Breast Reconstruction Be Paired With Other Procedures?

How Many Appointments Will I Need With Breast Reconstruction?

When Will I See My Breast Reconstruction Results?

Do I Have to Get Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?

Which Should I Choose: Implant or Flap Reconstruction?

What Are the Risks Associated With Breast Reconstruction?

Virtually any woman who must lose her breast to cancer can have it rebuilt through reconstructive surgery. However, there are risks associated with any surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure. In general, the usual surgical complications—such as bleeding, fluid collection, excessive scar tissue, or difficulties with anesthesia—can occur. They are, however, relatively uncommon, and their likelihood is reduced even further by Dr. Cappuccino’s extensive experience. As with any surgery, smokers should be advised that nicotine can delay healing, resulting in conspicuous scars and prolonged recovery. Occasionally, these complications are severe enough to require a second operation.

IMPLANTS

If an implant is used, there is a remote possibility that an infection will develop, usually within the first two weeks following surgery. In some of these cases, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can later be inserted.

CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE

The most common problem, capsular contracture, occurs if the scar or capsule around the implant begins to tighten. This squeezing of the soft implant can cause the breast to feel hard. Capsular contracture can be treated in several ways and sometimes requires either removal or scoring of the scar tissue or perhaps removal or replacement of the implant.

Is Breast Reconstruction Painful?

Breast reconstruction is performed under general anesthesia, allowing you to sleep deeply while Dr. Cappuccino rejuvenates your chest and restores a balanced appearance. When you awaken, you will have no memory of the work performed. After your surgery, Dr. Cappuccino will make sure your healing journey is comfortable and seamless by prescribing oral painkillers. Most patients are able to switch to using over-the-counter pain medications within the first week after their procedure.

Can Breast Reconstruction Be Paired With Other Procedures?

Yes. Dr. Cappuccino offers a wide range of compelling aesthetic solutions and can create a unique treatment plan that addresses more than one concern at the same time. He will discuss your options in more depth when you meet with him in Mount Airy, Maryland, for an initial consultation.

How Many Appointments Will I Need With Breast Reconstruction?

Each breast reconstruction procedure that Dr. Cappuccino performs is highly customized, so the number of appointments required can vary. For instance, after your consultation, the first appointment may involve placing a tissue expander. Next, the implants will be placed. Finally, reconstruction of the nipples and areolas can be performed. Dr. Cappuccino will advise you on the specific number of visits needed to reach your goals after completing your private consultation.

When Will I See My Breast Reconstruction Results?

It may take 3 or 4 months for the breasts to settle into their final position after breast reconstruction and for all residual swelling to resolve. Patients can use this time to shop for new clothes, swimwear, and lingerie, which can boost morale and well-being during an uncertain time.

Do I Have to Get Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?

Whether or not to undergo breast reconstruction after a mastectomy or lumpectomy is a highly personal decision that should be made with ample thought and consideration. No two individuals are alike, and each person’s healing journey is completely unique. Some women find that breast reconstruction provides a sense of closure and normalcy after their breast cancer ordeal. Dr. Cappuccino can discuss your options in depth during your private consultation. He maintains a compassionate and supportive stance no matter what you decide and will never push you to get breast reconstruction if it is not what you truly desire and feel comfortable with.

Which Should I Choose: Implant or Flap Reconstruction?

There are both risks and benefits with each breast reconstruction option, and it is Dr. Cappuccino’s job to fully inform you of them prior to your surgery. While tram flap breast reconstruction can provide more natural results in terms of look and feel, the recovery process is longer and more involved. Implants, on the other hand, can offer a more straightforward approach and a faster healing time. During your private consultation in the Frederick and Mount Airy, Maryland, area, Dr. Cappuccino will provide all the necessary vantage points and education, allowing you to make the best choices for your ultimate satisfaction, health, and well-being.