Restore your confidence and body after breast cancer or trauma with breast reconstruction in Murrieta and Temecula. At Advanced Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Dr. Daron Geldwert and Dr. Darren S. Leong bring over 35 years of combined expertise, having performed thousands of successful procedures, to offer results that conform to your unique goals and anatomy.
Restore Natural Breast Shape After Surgery
Breast reconstruction is a surgical procedure that aims to restore the shape, appearance, and symmetry of the breast after mastectomy, lumpectomy, or trauma. Depending on your needs, it may involve using implants, tissue from another area of your body (flap surgery), or a combination of both. The procedure can be performed immediately after breast removal or delayed until recovery. With advanced techniques, breast reconstruction in Murrieta and Temecula not only recreates natural contours but also helps restore confidence and a sense of wholeness.
What Are the Different Types of Breast Reconstruction?
Breast Implant Reconstruction
Breast implant reconstruction uses silicone or saline implants to restore breast volume. In many cases, a temporary tissue expander or supportive mesh is first placed to prepare the chest for an implant. The implant is then positioned beneath the chest muscle or skin. This option is often less invasive than flap surgery, involves shorter operative times, and can offer more predictable sizing. It’s a good choice if you want quicker recovery and fewer donor-site scars.
DIEP Flap
The DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap uses skin and fat from your lower abdomen to create a breast that looks and feels natural. Unlike older TRAM flaps, the abdominal muscles remain intact, which lowers the risk of weakness or hernia. Microsurgical techniques connect blood vessels from the abdomen to the chest, ensuring the tissue survives in its new location. This is ideal if you want natural results and also appreciate the benefit of a flatter abdomen.
Latissimus Flap
The latissimus dorsi flap involves moving muscle, skin, and fat from the upper back to the chest to reconstruct the breast. A tunnel is created beneath the skin to rotate the flap into position, where it is shaped into a new breast mound. Sometimes, an implant is added for extra volume. This is helpful for patients who have undergone radiation, experienced scarring, or had failed previous reconstructions. However, it may cause a mild reduction in back strength.
SGAP Flap
The SGAP (superior gluteal artery perforator) flap uses skin and fat from the upper buttock to reconstruct the breast, thereby preserving the integrity of the gluteal muscles. This microsurgical procedure connects blood vessels from the buttock tissue to the chest. It is an excellent choice for women without enough abdominal tissue or those who have previously had abdominal surgery. It provides soft, natural results, and the donor site often heals well.
SIEA Flap
The SIEA (superficial inferior epigastric artery) flap also uses tissue from the lower abdomen, but unlike the DIEP flap, it doesn’t require cutting into abdominal muscles or deep vessels. This means less discomfort and a quicker recovery. However, not every patient has adequate blood vessels for this technique, so careful evaluation is necessary. When suitable, it provides natural results while preserving abdominal strength, along with the benefit of abdominal contouring.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for Breast Reconstruction?
If you’ve undergone a mastectomy, lumpectomy, or experienced breast trauma, you may be a strong candidate for breast reconstruction. This procedure aims to restore your breast shape, symmetry, and overall confidence. Whether reconstruction is performed immediately after breast removal or later, your candidacy depends on your overall health, recovery stage, and personal goals. Dr. Geldwert and Dr. Leong carefully evaluate your medical history, lifestyle, and unique anatomy to create a safe, customized surgical plan for breast reconstruction in Murrieta and Temecula based on your goals.
You may be a candidate for breast reconstruction if:
- You have undergone or plan to undergo a mastectomy or lumpectomy
- You want to restore breast shape, size, or symmetry
- You are in good overall health with no uncontrolled medical conditions
- You do not smoke or are willing to stop before and after surgery
- You have adequate donor tissue (if considering flap reconstruction)
- You have realistic expectations about surgical outcomes and recovery
Why Choose Advanced Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center?
Advanced Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Center is a premier destination for breast reconstruction. With over 35 years of combined experience and more than 10,000 procedures performed, Dr. Daron Geldwert and Dr. Darren S. Leong bring unmatched skill to every surgery. They are also trusted by peers in the medical community, including other physicians and nurses, for their skill and artistry in delivering natural, lasting results.
Dr. Geldwert and Dr. Leong often collaborate as co-surgeons on complex reconstructions, ensuring you benefit from two experts who work together to refine every detail of your surgery. Their compassionate approach, combined with the use of the most advanced techniques, ensures you achieve highly individualized outcomes. To explore your options, schedule a consultation for breast reconstruction in Rancho Cucamonga or Murrieta today.
