Breast Reconstruction in Atlanta

There are very few women who are not candidates for breast reconstruction after a mastectomy. The main questions for those seeking reconstruction are:

• Which technique is appropriate for you?
• How does reconstruction integrate into your overall cancer treatment plan?

The option you and your plastic surgeon choose will depend on your individual anatomy, medical history, and personal needs. In our experience, no matter which breast reconstruction option ends up being right for a patient, the procedure has a dramatic, positive impact on their quality of life and emotional well-being.

Our Artisan plastic surgeons can perform breast reconstruction immediately after mastectomy, or at a later date (called delayed reconstruction). There are pros and cons to each option, so your physician will help you decide the right course of treatment.

Additionally, our team is very familiar with Atlanta-area breast cancer surgeons and will communicate with your cancer treatment team to ensure the most seamless care possible.

When you come into Artisan Plastic Surgery for breast reconstruction, you will be put under general anesthesia so you won’t feel any pain during or immediately after the surgery. You will likely feel some discomfort after the anesthesia wears off within a few hours after surgery. We will prescribe pain relievers for you to take home with you.

Breast reconstruction surgery takes 2 to 4 hours to complete.

Yes; we perform breast reconstruction in Atlanta as an inpatient procedure at Northside Hospital, where we will admit you for a 23-hour stay.

There are a few things you can do to prepare for breast reconstruction at Artisan Plastic Surgery:

• Because you will be under general anesthesia for your breast reconstruction, you will be required to refrain from eating anything after midnight the night before.
• You must abstain from using blood-thinning drugs or supplements for at least two weeks prior to the surgery.
• Arrange for a friend to drop you at home after your surgery.
• You will also likely require assistance during the initial night after surgery.

Breast reconstruction recovery varies significantly from patient to patient, depending on when reconstruction is performed, the specific technique used, the extent of surgery, and where you are in your cancer treatment process.

In general, you can expect to take at least 1 to 2 weeks off work, and limit or modify activity for a month or longer after breast reconstruction surgery. Your plastic surgeon and nurse will discuss the recovery process in detail before you make a decision about breast reconstruction surgery, and they will provide you with personalized aftercare instructions before your procedure date.

• For the next 3 weeks, restrict lifting, pulling, or pushing to objects weighing only 5 pounds.
• Following surgery, you’ll be wearing a surgical bra when you wake up. You should wear this bra for a week straight, unless showering. After a week, you have the choice to continue wearing the surgical bra or switch to a different one.
• You should wear a bra constantly for 6 weeks, only taking it off to shower. Underwire bras are permissible after 6 weeks. Wearing a bra can help ease swelling and reduce tension around your incisions as you recover.
• You don’t need to have your sutures removed, they’ll dissolve.
• Avoid alcohol for one week after surgery, especially if you’re taking pain medications or muscle relaxers.
• Be sure to see the medical team weekly until they remove your drains. Follow-up appointments: 1 week post-op with medical staff, 3 weeks post-op with medical staff, 6 weeks post-op with the doctor.
• You can expect some discomfort, but the pain medications should provide relief.
• In the initial recovery phase, swelling may be uneven.
• Bruising might be uneven at the beginning of the recovery period.
• Expect some bloody drainage on the dressings.
• Drains are required for this procedure. The average amount of time the majority of patients keep these drains is approximately 1 to 3 weeks.
• You must be on your prescribed antibiotic the entire time you have drains.
• You will need to see us weekly the entire time you have drains. You must bring your drain log to each appointment; this helps us determine when it is safe to remove your drains. You will be instructed by hospital staff upon discharge on how to care for your drains.
• If tissue expanders are placed, you will begin your expansions at approximately 4 weeks post op or when your incisions are completely healed. We typically expand you weekly. However, if you prefer to space your expansions out you may do so, but we will not do expansions more than once a week. On average, patients need 6 fills. However, this is dependent on a few factors. The size you want to be determines the number of fills you do. There is no set number of fills. You simply look in the mirror and decide when you are happy with your size. Tissue expanders can be replaced with breast implants 90 days or more after surgery, but not sooner.

If you experience any of the following, please call the office right away at (404-851-1998):

• Severe pain not responding to pain medications.
• Excessive swelling or swelling that is significantly different on one breast vs the other.
• Bright red spot(s) on the bandage that continues to enlarge.
• Incisions that appear to be opening.
• Incisions that appear very red or hot to the touch.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Darkness or discoloration of the skin or incisions.
• Calf pain or swelling in one leg. This can be a sign of a blood clot requiring immediate attention.

Artisan Plastic Surgery does accept some insurance plans for breast reconstruction, and also offers CareCredit financing as an option for paying for your procedure over time.