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Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction in New York City

ProceduresNatural Tissue Breast Reconstruction

Introduction to Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction

At our boutique plastic surgery practice in New York City, natural tissue breast reconstruction is a cornerstone of our reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. While the surgery is reconstructive in nature, Dr. Constance Chen adds an aesthetic element by making sure her patients look and feel their best. Below, we’ve included a guide to the different types of natural tissue breast reconstruction, information about Dr. Chen, and answers to frequently asked questions.

As one of the leading natural tissue breast reconstructive practices in the United States, we’ve had the great benefit of helping many women in New York. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chen, please contact us today.

What is Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction?

Natural tissue breast reconstruction uses a patient’s own tissue to reconstruct her breasts after a full or partial mastectomy. Instead of using an artificial breast implant, a patient’s own tissue is transferred from one part of her body to another part of her body to create a new living breast. Natural tissue breast reconstruction can either be performed as a “flap,” which comes with its own blood supply or as a “graft,” which depends on passive osmosis across the cell wall to develop a blood supply.

Who are the Best Candidates for Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction?

The best candidates for natural tissue breast reconstruction are healthy non-smoking patients who are at their ideal body weight. Patients should be without major medical comorbidities to minimize the risk of post-surgical complications.

Drawing of woman's body

What are the Different Types of Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction?

Microsurgical breast reconstruction using perforator flaps is considered the gold standard in breast reconstruction. The breast tissue removed by the mastectomy is replaced with the patient’s own fat and skin to recreate a soft, warm, and living breast. This type of natural tissue breast reconstruction adheres to the basic plastic surgery principle to “replace like with like.”

Unlike older methods of autologous tissue reconstruction that sacrifice the muscle, like the TRAM flap (from the abdomen) or the latissimus dorsi flap (from the back), perforator flaps carefully preserve the muscle from the patient’s donor site. Perforator flap breast reconstruction can be from the abdomen (DIEP or SIEA), upper thigh (PAP), or the back (TDAP). The difference is that in a perforator flap the muscles are preserved.

The preservation of a woman’s muscles with perforator flaps decreases postoperative pain to make recovery easier and shorter. It also preserves donor site integrity, so that a woman can maintain muscle strength over the long term. This is particularly important for active women.

Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction Recovery

One of the benefits of natural tissue breast reconstruction is that the reconstructed breast is alive with its own blood supply, so it can be treated like other parts of the patient’s body. As the patient gains and loses weight, the reconstructed breast will also grow and shrink. As with other types of surgery, the patient will be swollen and bruised immediately after surgery, but the tissue will settle over the subsequent weeks and months. Patients will be given postoperative pain medication to address any discomfort after surgery.

Illustration of a woman sitting on a bench

Why Choose Dr. Chen for Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction

Dr. Constance Chen is a board-certified microsurgeon who is well-recognized in her field. She has taught courses and given lectures around the world on microsurgical breast reconstruction and is an editor on a leading textbook on breast reconstruction using perforator flaps. As a woman, she is focused on listening to the concerns of other women and doing her best to restore their bodies to help them regain equilibrium after mastectomy. She employs innovative techniques to solve problems creatively – particularly when patients have reached an impasse from previous surgeries. She often receives referrals from other surgeons who have reached the end of their abilities to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

How Much Does Natural Tissue Breast Reconstruction Cost in NYC?

The cost of natural tissue breast reconstruction in New York City will vary on a number of factors. A consultation is necessary to obtain an accurate cost estimate. After developing a surgical plan, our staff can help address questions about insurance and associated surgical costs.

Schedule Your Consultation

Dr. Constance Chen is well known for natural tissue breast reconstruction, and many patients fly in to New York to undergo these procedures. Please contact us to schedule a consultation. Dr. Chen looks forward to meeting with you to learn more about your situation and answer your questions.

Reach out to us

Many of our patients have volunteered to speak with other women who may have questions about what it is like to go through restorative breast and body surgery. If you would like to speak with someone who has already gone through the process, please contact us and we will find a “buddy” for you.

#BosomBuddies

The Bosom Buddies are available for emotional support, practical tips, sharing stories, and other types of real life help that can help other women feel more comfortable and safe in their journey.

Out-of-Town Patients

With patients from all over the world, we do our best to help provide optimal resources when traveling to New York City for plastic surgery. Whether you're looking for a hotel or other lodging, this can be a tool while booking your travel.

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Schedule a Consultation

Please reach out to us with any questions that you may have. If you would like more information or would like to make an appointment, we would be happy to speak with you. We look forward to helping you throughout your journey.

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Patient Resources

In order to make intelligent decisions, it is important for a woman to do her research and educate herself about all of the choices available to her. A library is a collection of information sources made accessible to a community for reference.

News & Media

As one of the leading breast reconstruction specialists in the United States, Dr. Constance Chen has been featured in over 100 news and media publications and journals over her years in practice.

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