Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Breast reconstruction is designed to restore one or both breasts to near typical shape, symmetry, and size after mastectomy, lumpectomy, or congenital differences, using implants or your own tissue.
Restoring Shape, Symmetry, and Confidence
The goal of breast reconstruction is to restore one or both breasts to near typical shape, appearance, symmetry, and size following mastectomy, lumpectomy, or congenital deformities.
We believe every breast cancer patient should be given the option of reconstruction, and the chance to choose the technique most appropriate for her, before mastectomy. Either approach can be performed at the time of mastectomy or at any point afterward.
Our surgeons care for breast reconstruction patients from Essentia Health, Aspirus St. Luke’s, and primary care clinics across the region, working with Duluth’s general surgeons and cancer teams to ensure continuity of care.
Implant or Flap
Two main reconstruction paths: implant-based reconstruction or flap reconstruction using your own tissue, each with distinct advantages.
Coordinated Cancer Care
We work with your primary provider, general surgeon, and oncologist to coordinate care for the best oncological and aesthetic outcome.
Immediate or Delayed
Reconstruction can be performed at the time of your mastectomy or at any time thereafter, on your timeline.
Implant Reconstruction
Implant reconstruction uses breast implants to help form a new breast mound. A tissue expander is usually placed through the mastectomy incision, then gradually filled as you heal until a permanent saline or silicone implant can be placed.
Many women choose this option because the work is done through the existing mastectomy incision and the hospital stay is shorter. Risks include breast firmness (capsular contracture) and implant rupture.
Flap Reconstruction
Flap reconstruction builds a new breast from your own tissue taken from another part of the body. Some women choose it to avoid any foreign material, and because the flap is living tissue, the reconstructed breast changes naturally with you as you gain or lose weight.
Risks include partial or complete loss of the flap and reduced sensation at both the donor and reconstruction sites.
TRAM and DIEP Flaps
We offer both TRAM and DIEP techniques, using skin and subcutaneous tissue from the lower abdomen. A muscle-sparing approach is used when possible, so only a thin strip of the rectus muscle travels with the vascular pedicle, and in most cases this is done as a microsurgical free-tissue transfer.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap
A second technique uses a muscle from the back, the latissimus dorsi, to refashion the breast. This approach sometimes also requires a tissue expander or permanent implant.
Early Referral and Coordinated Planning
Once breast cancer is diagnosed and mastectomy is being considered, prompt referral to a plastic surgeon helps you make informed decisions about your treatment. We work closely with the general surgeon to preserve as much breast skin as possible during mastectomy, which improves the outcome of either technique.
We can also help coordinate care among everyone involved, including your primary provider, general surgeon, oncologist, and others. After the initial reconstruction, secondary revisions and nipple areolar reconstruction are often performed to further refine the result.
What to Expect
Reconstruction can begin at the time of your mastectomy or at any time afterward.
With implant reconstruction, a tissue expander is gradually filled over follow-up visits before the permanent implant is placed.
Hospital stays are generally shorter with implant-based reconstruction than with flap surgery.
Secondary revisions and nipple areolar reconstruction often follow to further improve the final result.
“I am amazed at how the surgery turned out! I look in the mirror and see form and natural softness that has been missing since my mastectomy.”
Barbara · Breast Reconstruction Patient
Barbara underwent a bilateral mastectomy in 2001 after a breast cancer diagnosis. After experiencing problems with previously placed implants, she chose bilateral TRAM flap reconstruction. She is cancer free and pleased with her results. “The people working at Northland Plastic Surgery are wonderful. The staff, from the front desk to the nurses, treated me in a warm, friendly, competent and personal way.”