Skin sparing mastectomy is a revolutionary approach to breast cancer surgery that has become an increasingly popular treatment option for women with breast cancer. This innovative breast cancer surgery involves removing the entire breast, including the nipple and areola, but preserving much of the overlying skin. This approach can be used to provide optimal cosmetic results when reconstruction is desired or in combination with radiation therapy. Skin sparing mastectomy helps minimize scarring and can also improve outcomes for some patients who may have difficulty healing after traditional mastectomies due to age or health conditions. For those who desire it, implants can be inserted during the procedure to restore a natural look and feel to the reconstructed breasts. With this modern technique, women can maintain their femininity while receiving effective care for their condition.
Skin Sparing Mastectomy Before and After Photos
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* Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Benefits of a Skin Sparing Mastectomy and Immediate Reconstruction
The benefits of skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction are numerous, especially for women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. By preserving much of the overlying skin, this approach can provide excellent cosmetic results with minimal scarring, which is extremely important for many patients. The procedure also helps to reduce the amount of breast tissue removed and can help maintain the natural shape and droopiness of the breasts after reconstruction. Additionally, it can be used in combination with radiation therapy to reduce side effects and improve outcomes.
When performed by a highly experienced breast cancer team, skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction can provide an optimal outcome while preserving a woman’s femininity. The technique helps to restore a natural look and feel to the reconstructed breasts while providing effective treatment for breast cancer. As such, it has become an increasingly popular option among women seeking treatment for their condition.
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One of the major benefits of skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction is that it can help preserve a woman’s self-esteem and body image. For many women, losing a breast can be emotionally devastating and may cause feelings of loss, shame, and embarrassment. However, with the skin sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction, the surgeon removes only the breast tissue while leaving the skin intact, which can help maintain the natural shape and appearance of the breast.
In addition, this procedure is associated with a lower risk of complications. The use of the patient’s own tissue or implant during the reconstruction process can help reduce the risk of infection and other complications. This can lead to a faster and smoother recovery process, allowing patients to get back to their daily lives sooner.
Overall, the skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction can offer many benefits for women who are facing a mastectomy. It can help preserve their self-esteem and body image, reduce the number of surgeries needed, and lower the risk of complications. As with any medical procedure, it’s important to discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor to determine if this is the right option for you.
The Skin Sparing Mastectomy Recovery Process
Recovering from a skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction can be both physically and emotionally challenging. To ensure the best results, you should follow several tips during the recovery process.
First and foremost, take time for yourself to allow your body to properly heal. Take it easy in the weeks following your surgery, listen to your body, and rest as much as possible. Make sure you follow all of your doctor’s post-operative instructions carefully and take any medications prescribed to help with pain or inflammation. It is also advisable to wear a supportive bra during the healing process, as this may help support breast tissue and reduce breast droopiness.
Patients who choose to have breast implants inserted during their surgery should also pay special attention to their recovery regimen. It is important to avoid activities that put extra strain on the chest area or cause excessive movement of the implants for at least six weeks after the procedure. This can help ensure proper healing of the implants and maintain a natural looking shape for the breasts over time.
Finally, make sure you attend all post-operative appointments with your medical team so that they can address any issues in a timely manner. These visits will also provide an opportunity to ask any questions or discuss any concerns you may have about your recovery.
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*Individual results may vary. Plastic Surgery Clinic of Eau Claire Disclaimer Read more.
Tips for Your Skin-Sparing Mastectomy Recovery
- Choose an experienced and knowledgeable breast surgeon who specializes in skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction so that you can feel confident the procedure will be done with care.
- Rest as much as possible following the procedure to ensure proper healing and recovery.
- Make sure to wear a supportive bra throughout the recovery process to help keep your breast shape intact and healthy.
- Follow your doctor’s post-op instructions carefully, including dietary restrictions, exercise guidelines, and any medications prescribed.
- To reduce inflammation, consider using cold compresses for 10-15 minutes every few hours for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in strenuous activity until cleared by your doctor after all follow-up visits have been completed. Otherwise, you may risk disrupting the reconstruction process or delaying recovery time.
- Attend all follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing is taking place. Follow-up visits are important for monitoring progress and making sure that no complications arise during the healing process.
- Stay in contact with your breast cancer care team regularly over the next few weeks/months to ensure that you get back into a normal routine safely and effectively.
Comparing Skin Sparing Mastectomy to Traditional Mastectomy
Over the past few years, the types of mastectomy procedures have become much less aggressive. We have gone from the radical mastectomy to the modified radical mastectomy to simple mastectomy, and over the past 10 years to the lumpectomy procedure, followed by radiation of the breast. Yet, the cure rate from the most radical procedures is no greater than the less aggressive mastectomy procedures. However, these more radical procedures were accompanied by several problems: more invasive surgery with a sacrifice of breast skin, longer hospital stays, longer recovery, and a less-than-desired cosmetic outcome.
There is now a focused movement toward a less-invasive skin-sparing mastectomy as cancer surgeons and reconstructive surgeons have come to realize that skin involvement in breast cancer is extremely rare. By leaving the skin envelope, the reconstructive surgeon can now create the removed breast mound at the same sitting, and the non-involved skin envelope is then redraped over the mound to complete the reconstruction. In the past, the reconstructive process could take up to 3 to 4 months and could require up to two or three operations. This new combination of the mastectomy and immediate reconstruction method is an extremely significant improvement—mostly because it is a single-staged procedure where the mastectomy and reconstruction are done at once.
Additional reasons the new method is an extremely significant improvement are:
- It is an overnight stay only in the hospital.
- The recovery is significantly reduced.
- The cure rate is essentially not affected.
- The final result produces an improved cosmetic result.*
Comprehensive Breast Cancer Care in Wisconsin
Thankfully, we live in a society that is always trying to improve our healthcare options. This is highlighted by a recent study in Canada that has found that immediate breast reconstruction use is not widely available and is relatively underused compared with the United States. I, for one, hope that these unfortunate trends in government-delivered health care, as noted in Canada, will not affect the quality of the greatest health system on the planet that we currently have in the United States.
Why Choose Dr. Ember Ewings
For over a decade, Dr. Ember Ewings has taken pride in delivering excellence in plastic surgical care. She earned her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and completed her surgical residency training in plastic surgery at Saint Louis University. Additionally, she gained extensive experience in pediatric and craniofacial surgery during her fellowship at the University of Tennessee – Memphis, and Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades in Paris, France. Dr. Ewings is also Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Ewings has enjoyed caring for patients of all ages from across the upper Midwest, and performs both cosmetic surgical, non-surgical, and reconstructive procedures, and is delighted to be able to provide outreach services in Durand, Wisconsin.
She owns and operates the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Eau Claire in Eau Claire. Prospective patients can reach Dr. Ewings through her online Consult Form, or at her practice, Plastic Surgery Clinic of Eau Claire – 715.833.2116 or 800.456.8222.
Frequently Asked Questions About Skin Sparing Mastectomy
Breast Lift
Dr. Ewings customizes each breast lift to match her patient’s unique aesthetic goals for beautifully-shaped, perky breasts and lifted nipples.
Liquid Rhinoplasty
Dr. Ewings can fill in indentations, subtly improve the shape of the nose, and even enhance facial balance by making small adjustments to the nose.
Skin Cancer Treatment
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 600,000 new cases are reported each year.
