A diagnosis of breast cancer can turn a woman's world upside down. Of the many sacrifices a woman makes in her fight against cancer, mastectomy (breast removal) may be the most difficult to bear. For many women, the decision to undergo breast reconstruction on Long Island is a chance to regain a sense of control, and an important step on the road to recovery.
Breast reconstruction not only rebuilds the breast that is lost, it can also restore a woman's self-image and help her to return to a sense of normalcy after cancer. Many women report that breast reconstruction is an integral part of their recovery process. Whether you are facing a mastectomy, or you have already had a mastectomy, Dr. James Romanelli is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast surgery on Long Island who can help you begin the process of reconstructing your breast and restoring your healthy appearance.
Overview of Breast Reconstruction
Dr. Romanelli has over 18 years of experience performing breast reconstruction on Long Island. He understands the complexity of the various surgical techniques, as well as the unique needs of the breast cancer patient and her loved ones. He offers advanced breast reconstruction options, including:
- Autologous methods, which use the body's own tissue to rebuild the breast mound, either at the time of mastectomy, or later. These include the various flap techniques, such as the TRAM or "tummy tuck" flap.
- Direct to implant reconstruction, which provides reconstruction at the time of mastectomy, and allows for the placement of a permanent saline or silicone implant at the time of the initial surgery.
- Tissue expander reconstruction, which inserts a tissue expander that will be replaced by an implant in a later surgery when the skin has stretched enough to accommodate it. Tissue expanders can be placed either at the time of mastectomy, or post-mastectomy.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Romanelli will help you to consider your surgical options, and determine which procedure is the best choice for you. It is important to have realistic expectations from your reconstruction surgery, and Dr. Romanelli will discuss with you what can and cannot be accomplished.
What Breast Reconstruction Can Do:
- Replace the contour of your breast
- Give your breasts improved symmetry
- Eliminate the need for a prosthetic breast
- Help improve body-image and self-esteem
- Diminish the physical reminders your illness
What Breast Reconstruction Cannot Do:
- Make your breasts look exactly like they did before the mastectomy
- Restore previous levels of sensation to the reconstructed breast
- Guarantee permanent results
Find Out More
For more in-depth information on important aspects of breast reconstruction, click on the links below:
For answers to all of your breast reconstruction questions, click here to request a free surgical consultation with Dr. Romanelli at his Long Island office, or you can call 631-424-3600 to make an appointment.