Not Your Mother’s Mastectomy: Rebuilding Confidence With New Breast Reconstruction Techniques

In the not-so-distant past, it was a typical occurrence for women who went into surgery to have a breast lump of uncertain significance removed, only to wake up without a breast if it was cancer or with a scarred, biopsied breast if it wasn’t. 

Thanks to new breast reconstruction techniques like SWIM reconstruction and direct-to-implant reconstruction, we don’t have to go through what countless women before us had to endure. Patients today can often keep their nipples, have small scars, and have simplified surgeries rather than multi-staged surgeries. The results can be more natural, more comfortable, and less traumatizing than what our mothers experienced.  

Genetic Testing 

Genetic testing allows women to learn their hereditary predisposition for breast cancer. This allows time for careful planning, diagnosis, and a thorough cancer workup if needed. In a purely prophylactic setting, this becomes an elective surgery performed on your terms and on your time frame rather than a surprise diagnosis that puts life on hold while you deal with cancer.  

New, Advanced Breast Reconstruction Techniques 

Fat Grafting

Advances in autologous tissue transfer enable us to recreate the breast shape, helping to reduce dependency on artificial implants. Learn more about fat grafting on BreastCancer.org.

The Goldilocks Mastectomy

Another newer reconstruction option, the Goldilocks mastectomy removes the cancerous tissue and reforms the breast using the patient’s own residual healthy tissue. This is all done in a single surgery without requiring additional tissue transfer or an implant. 

Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction

With direct-to-implant reconstruction, breasts are reconstructed at the time of mastectomy. This allows women to wake up from mastectomy surgery with their breasts intact. This contrasts with the tissue expander method of breast reconstruction, which requires 2 surgeries and multiple office visits to stretch the skin and muscle.  

Sensation-Preserving Mastectomy With Nerve Grafts

Sensation-preserving mastectomy represents a significant advancement over traditional procedures. This technique carefully preserves nerves during surgery and meticulously reconnects them during breast reconstruction. Unlike conventional mastectomies, which often result in permanent numbness, this approach allows many patients to retain or gradually regain sensation in the reconstructed breast. By focusing on both appearance and functional outcomes, this technique helps patients maintain a more complete sense of physical recovery.

These and other advances on the horizon make us thankful that this isn’t our mothers’ mastectomy any longer.  Learn more about breast reconstruction options.

If you’re considering your treatment path for lumpectomy, mastectomy, breast reconstruction, or another breast concern, the renowned breast surgeons at Bedford Breast Center are here for you. You can use our online form to request a consultation or call us at (310) 278-8590 to schedule an appointment.