Breast Reconstruction

Breast Reconstruction

Introduction to

Here’s a situation that is more common than many people could imagine: you’ve just won your fight against breast cancer, which has been a taxing and emotional journey in and of itself. You’ve gone through chemo & radiation, had a mastectomy, and beat that horrible experience into the ground until you came out on top. Now you’re trying to rebuild your life and get things back to how they were, but because of the treatments, you’re now left with breasts that aren’t what they used to be.

The wonderful truth to this situation is that there is an answer that has brought a sense of renewal to so many women. Aesthetic Contours by Dr. Heidari in the Inland Empire offers Breast Reconstruction for our patients. If you are interested in this procedure, we have information below to help you learn more about the process.

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What is Breast Reconstruction?

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Breast Reconstruction is an invasive surgery to restore one or both breasts to as close to normal shape, appearance, symmetry, and size as following a mastectomy or other breast procedures. Dr. Ali Heidari typically performs breast reconstruction for patients who have lost one or both breasts due to aggressive breast cancer treatments. Depending on the health condition and desires of each patient, the procedure can be performed either in conjunction with mastectomy (breast removal surgery) or at a later date when the breast tissues have healed.

Dr. Heidari can accomplish this through the use of breast implants and skin expansion or flap reconstruction techniques (Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction). The procedure can be performed immediately after the breast removal, or mastectomy. A woman can awaken from surgery with the mastectomy and reconstruction completed, so she does not have to experience being without a breast or breasts.

Breast Reconstruction

What are the Benefits of Breast Reconstruction?

Not only can Breast Reconstruction help improve your appearance, but it has also helped many women improve their quality of life and regain a sense of femininity. Some of the additional benefits of the procedure include:

  • Brings balance and proportion back to your body
  • Customizable options with a variety of techniques
  • Provides dramatic and permanent results
  • Restores a sense of self-confidence and self-esteem

While immediate breast reconstruction provides psychological benefits, this procedure is not appropriate for all patients. In order to determine which surgical approach is the best for each patient, Dr. Heidari conducts thorough pre-surgical consultations.

Who are the Best Candidates for Breast Reconstruction?

The following characteristics make for a good candidate for Breast Reconstruction in the Inland Empire:

  • Able to cope well with your diagnosis and treatment
  • Do not have additional medical conditions or other illnesses that may impair healing
  • Have a positive outlook and realistic goals for restoring your breast and body image

Although breast reconstruction can rebuild your breast, the results are highly variable:

  • A reconstructed breast will not have the same sensation or feel as the breast it replaces
  • Visible incision lines will always be present on the breast, whether from reconstruction or mastectomy
  • Certain surgical techniques will leave incision lines at the donor site, commonly located in less exposed areas of the body such as the back, abdomen, or buttocks

Besides breast cancer, there are other reasons a woman may need breast reconstruction. In some cases, chest wall deformities can cause severe breast deformities such as a lack of development of chest muscles or/and breast tissue.

What’s the First Step?

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The first step in getting Breast Reconstruction in Upland, CA is to contact one of our centers and schedule a consultation with Dr. Heidari. When you come in to meet with him, he will evaluate your breasts, listen to any concerns you may have, and discuss your medical history. When talking about your healthy and medical history, you should be completely open and honest as everything is kept completely confidential.

Once he has all the information he needs, Dr. Heidari will create a surgical plan for you. If the two of you are in agreement, then the next step is to schedule your surgery with our Patient Coordinator. After setting the date, you will also be provided with instructions to follow that will give you the best opportunity for a safe and successful surgery and recovery.

It is important to know that breast reconstructive surgery is often performed in stages. There are many different procedure options available. Therefore, it is important to discuss your options with Dr. Heidari during this consultation.

Breast Reconstruction

What to Expect on the Day of Breast Reconstruction

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Depending on what is discussed with Dr. Heidari during your consultation, you will first be administered medication to give you a more comfortable experience in the form of general anesthesia.

Dr. Heidari can use various techniques in order to reach the best results for you. If there is insufficient tissue in your chest as a result of a mastectomy or radiation therapy, breast reconstruction usually requires either a flap technique or tissue expansion.

A TRAM flap will use donor muscle, fat, and skin taken from your lower abdomen as reconstruction material. The flap is then either left attached to the original blood supply and tunneled up through the chest wall or completely detached and formed into a breast mold.

Dr. Heidari may choose to use the DIEP flap or SIEA flap techniques, which do not use the abdominal muscle, but only the skin and fat. If your lower abdomen lacks sufficient tissue, your buttocks or thighs can work as a substitute.

An alternative flap technique is the latssimus dorsi flap which uses muscle, fat, and skin from your back that is tunneled to the mastectomy site, but remains attached to the donor site and leaves the blood supply intact.

Some women do not require breast radiation, in which case an implant-based reconstruction is an option. If tissue expansion is used, it allows an easier recovery than flap reconstruction, but it is a lengthier process, requiring several office visits over 1 – 2 months after Dr. Heidari places the expander – a device that is gradually filled with saline through an internal valve. If the expander is not designed to serve as a permanent implant, a second surgical procedure will be needed to replace it. Dr. Heidari uses the most recent advances in expanders and specialty implants to reconstruct the female breast in these cases.

If you are not a candidate for a nipple-sparing mastectomy, there are other methods for breast reconstruction used for the nipple and areola. These techniques usually involve folding skin to create the shape of a nipple, followed by 3D nipple-areolar tattooing to create a realistic appearance with the illusion of projection.

Breast Reconstruction can often be enhanced with staged revision procedures to improve symmetry, use liposuction with fat grafting, and improve the appearance of the donor site.

Breast Reconstruction Recovery

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After your surgery, Dr. Heidari will wrap your breasts with either gauze or compression bandages to provide additional protection. You will probably be told to wear an elastic bandage or support bra to minimize swelling and keep them supported. Dr. Heidari may also place a small, thin tube called a cannula under your skin to drain any excess fluid or blood.

You will need to keep any strenuous or physical activity to a minimum during the first few weeks and follow Dr. Heidari’s instructions for optimal recovery results.

How Much Does Breast Reconstruction Cost in the Inland Empire?

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The cost of Breast Reconstruction in Upland, CA will vary on several factors, such as what techniques are used and how much work is needed. After Dr. Heidari is able to evaluate your needs and create a surgical plan for you, our Patient Coordinator will be able to give you a breakdown of the price of your plan.

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Why Choose Us?

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Dr. Ali Heidari has been board-certified in both plastic and reconstructive surgery with extensive experience in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery for more than 25 years. At a young age, Dr. Heidari knew plastic surgery was his calling and realized that he could combine plastic surgery with his creative and scientific sensibilities. He has garnered a stellar reputation due to his knowledge, understanding, and friendly nature. Aesthetic Contours by Dr. Heidari in Upland gives our patients in Southern California more opportunities to realize their best selves.

Schedule Your Consultation

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Breast Reconstruction can be a life changer for many women, and in some cases, a lifesaver. If you feel like you would benefit from this procedure, you should contact Aesthetic Contours by Dr. Heidari today! Dr. Heidari wants to be a part of your journey and help you have a better, more fulfilling life.

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Breast Reconstruction FAQs

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Patient Resources

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We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out.

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