Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction in Long Island With Dr. Vandegrift

Breast cancer changes how a woman looks and feels. While breast reconstruction will never give you your natural breasts back, it helps restore many women’s self-confidence and femininity after cancer.

Dr. Meredith Vandegrift understands that cancer is emotionally challenging. She helps patients explore their options for breast reconstruction in a supportive and positive environment. She never rushes the reconstruction process and gives patients the time they need to explore options and choose the best options for their individual situations. Learn about compassionate breast reconstruction with a board-certified plastic surgeon at Vandegrift Plastic Surgery. Explore your options for feeling like yourself again by calling (631) 935-0303.

What Are My Options for Breast Reconstruction in Long Island?

There are many options for breast reconstruction. Your best reconstruction options will depend on your anatomy, the type of breast cancer surgery performed, whether you’ve received radiation, and your aesthetic goals.

  • Flap reconstruction: Vandegrift can use a flap of tissue from areas of the body like the abdomen or back to create a new breast mound. Flap procedures allow women to recreate their breasts without the need for implants. However, you may wish to add implants for additional volume. There are many options for autologous flap breast reconstruction in Long Island, including DIEP, TRAM, and SGAP. If you are a good candidate for this approach, Dr. Vandegrift will explain which flap options you are eligible for.
  • Implant-based reconstruction: Breast implants can rebuild the breast mound after breast cancer surgery. Silicone breast implants have a soft, natural feel that makes them excellent for breast reconstruction.
  • Fat grafting: Fat grafting is an ideal treatment option for patients who have breast irregularities after breast-conserving surgery like a lumpectomy. Transferring donor fat from elsewhere in the body into your breasts can minimize bumps and divots and restore a natural breast appearance. This technique can also smooth and enhance the results of flap and implant-based reconstruction procedures.

Before the final reconstruction, Dr. Vandegrift may need to place breast expanders to prepare your breasts for reconstruction surgery. For women with cancer in only one breast, Dr. Vandegrift may recommend procedures for the healthy, non-cancerous breast to create symmetry. During reconstruction, she often performs a breast reduction or breast lift on the non-cancerous breast.

Your Breast Reconstruction Consultation

Breast reconstruction is highly individualized. Cancer presents differently for every woman, and your cancer treatments will have a unique impact on your breasts. Working with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience performing breast reconstruction is vital to create results that look as natural as possible.

Your breast reconstruction consultation will include an in-depth examination by Dr. Vandegrift. She’ll examine your breasts and body to determine which reconstruction options are possible and create personalized treatment recommendations. You’ll talk with Dr. Vandegrift about your cancer and medical history to ensure surgery is a safe choice for you.

Breast reconstruction consultations can take an hour or more. Patients can bring a support person with them if desired.

Recovery After Long Island Breast Reconstruction

Recovery after breast reconstruction will depend on the surgical approach you and Dr. Vandegrift choose. Radiation and other cancer treatments can slow and complicate the healing process. Dr. Vandegrift will monitor you carefully as you heal and will provide tips and advice to optimize the recovery process.

Most patients need to take four to six weeks off from work to recover after breast reconstruction. Rebuilding the breasts after cancer is a process, and you may need additional surgeries, including expander placement, fat grafting, and nipple reconstruction. Don’t be upset if your initial results are not as you were expecting. Recreating your breasts will take time, and there are many options for creating results you love.

Meet Dr. Meredith Vandegrift

Dr. Meredith Vandegrift is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in breast and body rejuvenation that restores a youthful, supple appearance after pregnancy or weight loss.

While offering a full complement of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures including breast lift, tummy tuck, vaginal rejuvenation, and oncoplastic breast reduction, Dr. Vandegrift also has a special interest and expertise in both invasive and non-invasive facial rejuvenation. With a focus on keeping your look natural, she provides a holistic approach to each patient, specifically tailoring a treatment regimen that will leave you looking and feeling your absolute best.

Learn More About Breast Reconstruction With Dr. Vandegrift

The decision to have breast reconstruction is extremely personal, best made with information from a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon. If breast cancer has changed your appearance, meet with Dr. Vandegrift to learn about your options for breast reconstruction in Long Island. Contact Dr. Vandegrift today to schedule a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Long Island Breast Reconstruction

If you have experienced changes to your breast appearance due to cancer, you may be a candidate for breast reconstruction. Meet with Dr. Vandegrift to review your medical and oncologic history to ensure it is the right time for surgery.

Breast reconstruction is a process and often requires multiple surgeries to achieve the desired results. The number of surgeries you need will depend on the methods used. Dr. Vandegrift can give you a better idea of what to expect during your consultation.

Breast reconstruction helps women feel feminine after breast cancer surgery. Results are typically excellent in clothing, making it unnoticeable to others that you have ever had breast surgery. Without clothing, there may be some scarring on the breasts. If you have had a mastectomy, you may no longer have nipples. Nipple reconstruction or tattooing can restore the appearance of nipples. After mastectomy and reconstruction, the breasts often lose sensation. They may feel numb or tingly. To others, reconstructed breasts feel very similar to natural breasts.

Dr. Vandegrift will work with your medical team to create a timeline for your reconstruction procedure. Often, patients wait until they have finished their oncologist’s chemotherapy and radiation. Some patients can receive reconstruction while receiving some types of adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapies.

Breast reconstruction isn’t the right choice for every woman. It is an option if you are interested in it. Still, some women choose to forego breast reconstruction. There are high-quality breast prostheses available for women who do not want reconstruction but still desire the appearance of breasts while wearing clothing. Other women may opt for aesthetic flat closure, which involves removing both breasts and aesthetically shaping the remaining skin to optimize appearance. Women who opt not to have their breasts reconstructed may choose to work with a plastic surgeon to remove “dog ears” or address concavity on the chest wall after breast cancer surgery. Dr. Vandegrift may recommend procedures like skin excision, liposuction, or fat grafting to patients who desire an aesthetic flat closure.

Many health insurance companies cover breast reconstruction, either partially or fully. Talk with your provider about specific information on your policy details and coverage options.

Breast reconstruction is safe and does not increase your likelihood of breast cancer returning. Dr. Vandegrift will work with your medical team to create a personalized monitoring plan that may include mammograms or breast MRIs to monitor your breast tissue.