BREAST PROCEDURES VIDEOS

An educational discussion with Dr. Christopher Park at Mobile Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Dermatology regarding Mastopexy or Breast Lift

An educational discussion with Dr. Christopher Park regarding breast reconstruction options.

Breast Augmentation / Enhancement with Dr. Christopher Park in Mobile Alabama

Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The Park Clinic for Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery discusses male breast reduction surgery (aka "gynecomastia"). This procedure is much more common than most people realize and it is one that we are extremely happy to help with. Gynecomastia is an enlargement or swelling of breast tissue in males. It is most commonly caused by male estrogen levels that are too high or are out of balance with testosterone levels, which Dr. Rebowe discusses in the video. He also discusses the different approaches that one may go about reducing the male breast tissue so that you retain a chiseled and defined look that is so often desired by males. As we find so often with men, sometimes you may be unwilling to discuss a struggle or desired look with a physician. Know that we are not only here to help but we also provide highly satisfactory results for our patients seeking these this procedure.

You can learn more about the procedure, and even see before-and-after photos on our website: https://www.mprsd.com/breast-cosmetic-surgery-mobile/gynecomastia/

Do you know what a "Mommy Makeover" entails? Most people have a general idea but we wanted to make sure we took an in depth look at the procedure in order to provide some clarity for those women considering the procedure. The goal of a mommy makeover is to restore the shape and appearance of a woman's body after childbearing. Many women notice changes in their bodies post-pregnancy. There are many areas of the body that can be addressed, most commonly the breasts, abdomen, waist, genitalia and buttocks. A mommy makeover is typically performed as a single stage procedure.
Here Dr. Ryan Rebowe sits down to give a quick overview of the multiple procedures and combinations that can be done when performing a "Mommy Makeover". If you would like a consultation with Dr. Rebowe so that you could have additional questions answered, please give us a call at (251) 340-6600 or email us at [email protected]

You can learn more about other body contouring procedures we offer by visiting our website: https://www.mprsd.com/body-cosmetic-surgery-mobile/

Our wonderful Nurse Practitioner, Megan McNeil, has a casual discussion on our breast reduction clinic. In one of our previous videos, Dr. Park advertised that we have one of the best reputations in the Mobile, Alabama area for breast reduction services. Our process is extremely thorough, our physicians and mid levels are experts in these services, and because we have Megan available patients are able to be seen much sooner than they otherwise would.

Patients are getting valuable expertise when they visit Megan at The Park Clinic for Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery. Prior to running the Breast Reduction Clinic she was, and still is, heavily involved in the surgeries themselves. She will serve not only as your provider during the consultation, but will also be assisting the physician during the surgery itself. So when you chose Megan McNeil as your provider you are getting a compassionate and comprehensive treatment plan.

You can find out more by visiting our website: https://www.mprsd.com/breast-cosmetic-surgery-mobile/breast-reduction/

And you can stay up to speed by following us on Facebook and Instagram: @TheParkClinicMedSpaAtThePark

We want to help you find the best way to reconstruct your breasts post-cancer. We have the most comprehensive options available for breast cancer victims when it comes to reconstruction options because we have two plastic surgeons highly trained in these types of surgeries.

Dr. Ryan Rebowe and Dr. Christopher Park offer a multitude of options for women who have fallen victim to breast cancer. After a mastectomy and other breast cancer treatments, many women have been dealt a blow to their self-esteem and image. It is our mission at The Park Clinic to help you regain the confidence you once had!

Give us a call today to schedule a consultation, or ask your doctor to refer you to us. (251) 340-6600

Learn more about the reconstructive services we offer:
- https://www.mprsd.com/reconstructive-surgery-mobile/breast-cancer/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ncxi8U0bJ0

Watch our video on the benefits of pairing a breast augmentation with a breast lift when looking at options for plastic surgery. Find out why Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe are the best in the area!

Have you ever considered a breast enhancement? Watch the video to learn more!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Do not let breast cancer get the best of you! Watch the video and see options to get your happiness back!

In this episode, Host Kym Anderson and Dr. Chris Park talk about the most popular and most frequently asked about procedures at The Park Clinic: breast augmentation, implants, reductions, and lifts. Dr. Park explains the types of breast procedures, typical recovery times, determining the right size, and all the improvements and differences between the newer implants and those that were available in the 1980s and '90s.


Ep.3 - Big Questions

1. How do the doctor and patient determine the right breast size or reduction?
2. What are the options in the types of implants?
3. When does insurance cover breast augmentation, implants, or reduction?
4. Do men get "boob" jobs?
5. What should be the overall goal/outcome of breast augmentation and plastic surgery?
6. What's a breast lift?
7. How often does Dr. Park perform this type of surgery?
8. How long will I be out of work after my breast reconstruction, implant, or reduction surgery?
9. Are implants a one size fits all decision and operation?
10. What should the patient expect at the first consultation with their surgeon?



Need A Consultation or Appointment with Dr. Park or Dr. Rebowe?

To set up an appointment with The Park Clinic staff call 251.340.6600



Quotes from the episode:

"I do everything all over the body, but I spend more than half my life on the breast." - Dr. Chris Park

"There's cosmetic breast surgery, implants, and lifts. There are the breast reductions which can be considered medically necessary, and sometimes covered by insurance, and then you have breast reconstruction after cancer in women. And then there's even male breast surgery." - Dr. Chris Park

"We have better implants than we've ever had in the last ten years or so and have numerous sizes, shapes, profiles, different textures. It's incredible what we have and how we can even customize. That's why it's not a one-size-fits-all breast implant." - Dr. Chris Park

"The long and short of it is silicone implants feel better than saline." - Dr. Chris Park

"I'm going to make a range of recommendations that are all going to look good. I'm not going to pick one that's ever going to be too small or way too big, and patients can choose their own flavor." - Dr. Chris Park

"I'm not going to do something that just destroys the tissues and the skin." - Dr. Chris Park

"My goal is to make you happy, so the first thing I do is listen because I'm not trying to make breasts that I'm going to like the way they look." - Dr. Chris Park

"Most people are off pain medicine in two or three days, and getting back to normal and we ask you not to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for two weeks." - Dr. Chris Park

"The beauty of a breast reduction is it's a breast lift as well, so if a woman happens to have a large enough breast, then we can do a breast reduction with a breast lift." - Dr. Chris Park

"We're not removing the breast. It's not like a cancer operation. Our goal is to make a prettier breast as well, with a more controllable size." - Dr. Chris Park

"A breast lift tightens everything up and puts the nipple where it's supposed to be." - Dr. Chris Park

"A reduction would be removing volume, and then implants can be adding volume, but the volume we add with an implant is usually in the upper portion of the breast." - Dr. Chris Park

"There are patients out there that need a breast reduction and an implant." - Dr. Chris Park

"Certain patients need a breast reduction, and they get approved by insurance very often, and then certain patients don't meet the insurance criteria, but they still get the benefit of the relief." - Dr. Chris Park

"Breast implants, unless you've had a mastectomy for medically-necessary reasons such as cancer, are rarely covered by insurance." - Dr. Chris Park

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so in this episode, Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Ryan Rebowe wanted to discuss breast reconstruction and all of the options available to their patients at The Park Clinic. Dr. Park lays out the five general categories for breast reconstruction. Dr. Rebowe explains microsurgical options and why both doctors are excited about this procedure. And lastly, Kim Anderson asks about insurance coverage for breast reconstruction and who is the best candidates for this common procedure.



Need a consultation with Dr. Park or Dr. Rebowe?
Call (251) 340-6600



Key Takeaways

There are many options for breast reconstruction after a cancer diagnosis, surgery, and treatment.

Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe are focused on doing breast reconstruction and all other cancer reconstruction procedures.

If there is something that's bothering you, after being treated for breast cancer, no matter what it is about the way you look or feel. Breast reconstruction can help your confidence, self-esteem, and overall quality of life.

There are five general categories for breast reconstruction options that are discussed here.

Ask your Plastic Surgeon about Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction as it may be an option for you.



Sponsor

The Park Clinic in Mobile and Fairhope, Alabama



Quotes from the Episode:

"Dr. Park and I are expanding the gulf coast reconstruction focus a bit more on microsurgical reconstruction, especially of the breast." - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

"Dr. Park and I both love doing reconstructive surgery of all kinds." - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

"We both focus on cancer reconstruction, especially breast cancer, but we love doing all kinds of reconstruction." - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

"Abdominally based breast reconstruction takes tissue from their abdomen and transfer it to their chest and make them a new breast out of their abdominal tissue. It's the tissue that we would typically throw away during a tummy tuck." - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

"Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction has an easier recovery for the patient because we're using the microsurgery to disconnect and reconnect the tissue. We do not have to disrupt the muscle." - Dr. Chris Park

"There are two basic ways to reconstruct breasts, and one is with a tissue expander and implant the others is with your tissue or what we call autologous tissue. In terms of microsurgical breast reconstruction, you can take fat from a lot of different areas." - Dr. Chris Park

"The fat from your abdomen matches the feel of a breast a lot better than your buttock tissue. Buttock tissue is very hard and almost brick-like in some women." - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

"Some women are candidates for breast implants after breast-conserving therapy." - Dr. Ryan Rebowe

"It's easier to get coverage after a mastectomy for both breasts. It is more difficult and not a guarantee that insurance will cover it after a partial breast procedure. It can be done, but it's not automatic." - Dr. Chris Park

On this episode, Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Ryan Rebowe discuss breast implant safety, concerns about silicone implant ruptures, cancer fears, and illness claims associated with this common procedure. Breast implants are one of the most studied medical devices in human history, and Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe want to share some medical facts about the history, safety, and personal experiences surrounding breast implant options and surgery.


Need a consultation with Dr. Park or Dr. Rebowe?
Call (251) 340-6600



Key Takeaways:

There's overwhelming medical and anecdotal evidence to support the safety of breast implants.

Breast implants can last for a very long time; the average lifespan is quoted for around ten years, but this is based on old data, and modern day implants can last a lot longer.

Breast Implant Illness Syndrome symptoms share symptoms with common medical issues and conditions.

Studies show that an overwhelming majority of women have absolutely no issues with their breast implants.

If you think you are experiencing illness or discomfort from a new or existing breast implant, consult a qualified plastic surgeon for an examination.

To rupture a modern silicone breast implant would take an extreme amount of force and major trauma.

First and foremost, plastic surgeons are doctors first, and your safety is the number one priority for any practice.





Quotes From The Epidsode:


"If we see a patient that honestly feels like they have something related to an implant, we're happy to listen, and we're happy to take that implant out." - Dr. Park

"If you just took a breast implant, put it on the table and cut it in half, the silicone wouldn't run out of the breast implant capsule like a liquid." - Dr. Rebowe

"The best way to diagnose an implant rupture is actually with an MRI, but we usually start with an exam and ultrasound." - Dr. Rebowe

"If we see a patient that honestly feels like they have something related to an implant, we're happy to listen, and we're happy to take that implant out." - Dr. Park

"I think it takes going to a plastic surgeon, especially one who has seen some of these issues before to know what to do and what the best way is to move forward." - Dr. Rebowe

Inability to sleep, poor appetite or excessive appetite, hair loss, and a whole laundry list of symptoms are among those that some people are attributing a condition something called Breast Implant Illness Syndrome. - Dr. Park

We do not have any studies, absolutely a hundred percent proving that the symptoms of Breast Implant Illness Syndrome are attributable to breast implants. - Dr. Rebowe

There are case reports in the literature to suggest that removing breast implants can help Breast Implant Illness Syndrome symptoms, although it does not always do that. - Dr. Rebowe

Some types of budgetary plastic surgery where you travel may not even be a real plastic surgeon. - Dr. Park

Patients should see a plastic surgeon every year for a breast implant check-up. - Dr. Park

If you have cosmetic implants, routine implant rupture screening with an ultrasound or an MRI will not be covered by health insurance. - Dr. Rebowe

Curious what a breast augmentation surgery looks like in action? Check out our video where we take you behind the scenes and give you a first hand look at a breast implant surgery.

There are many different types of breast augmentation surgeries and many different ways that implants can be placed. The different types of procedures used to place breast implants are: trans-axillary, peri-aeriolar, trans-umbilical, or inframammary (sub-pectoral). We have another video that discusses these options in more depth (https://youtu.be/yKMc-DPy0tQ).

In our video, the implant is placed using the inframammary fold (sub-pectoral) technique. The sub-pectoral procedure involves an incision in the fold underneath the breast and tends to allow the surgeon more direct control of implant positioning. About 70 to 80 percent of breast augmentations are performed using an inframammary fold procedure. The incision placement allows for minimal effects on the milk-producing areas of the breast. The same incision may also be used if complications arise or additional surgeries are needed. Inframammary fold augmentation works well for older patients or mothers, since age and pregnancy allows for a natural amount of sag in the breast. This natural sag allows for the surgical incision to be well hidden for most women. Young women, thin women, or women who have not had children yet and have no crease under their breasts may have a more visible scar with this procedure.

To schedule a consultation with one of our highly skilled plastic surgeons, give us a call at (251) 340-6600. Our consultation fee is only $75, and we are located in Mobile & Fairhope!



Learn more about the full range of services Dr. Chris Park and Dr. Ryan Rebowe offer by visiting our website: www.mprsd.com

One of the things that makes our practice unique is that we have a Cosmetic Coordinator whose role is to personally guide and accompany a patient through the entire cosmetic surgery process. Here, our Cosmetic Coordinator walks viewers through a typical breast augmentation consult. Have you considered breast augmentation, but you aren't quite sure what to expect if you were to book a consult?

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical technique to increase the size of the breasts. Any woman that desires a larger breast may be a candidate for breast augmentation if she has realistic expectations. There are other techniques to increase the size of the breasts, but the most trusted technique is placement of an implant surgically. There are multiple options that are discussed and decided during a breast augmentation

We answer most of your questions in this video. This video gives you a wonderful overview of breast augmentation: why you'd be a candidate, what to expect at the consult, what to expect with surgery, and what to expect as a life long partner of our practice. While this video addresses many questions that come up in a consult, we would love the opportunity to delve deeper into the results you are looking for and let you know how we are able to help you achieve them. Give us a call today at (251) 340-6600!

Here Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery discusses a ruptured implant in an older generation implant and also gives viewers a first hand look at the capsule that our bodies form around implants. When a surgeon removes an implant along with the capsule, this is called a capsulectomy. During a total capsulectomy, a surgeon removes your breast implant and your entire capsule of scar tissue. Your surgeon may remove the implant first before removing the capsule. They then replace your implant once the capsule is removed.While there are other medical reasons these could be performed, most often these are performed when an implant ruptures. As Dr. Rebowe explains in the video, ruptures do not happen often, and when they do they most often occur in older generation implants.

While the vast majority of saline and silicone breast implants will last a long time, sometimes your entire life, there are still risks of a ruptured breast implant. A rupture refers to a tear, hole, or leaking implant . You will want to contact one of our plastic surgeons as soon as possible to have the ruptured breast implant removed and a new one installed.

Saline implants: If a rupture develops in a saline breast implant, you will know quickly. The saline solution leaks out of the implant and it deflates, much like when you get a flat tire. You will notice a size difference between your breasts. The shape of the breasts may also be different. While saline is not harmful to the body, it can sometimes contain bacteria from being sealed inside the implant. If the implant ruptures and the bacteria are released, it could cause some type of bacterial infection.

Silicone implants: With silicone breast implants, the rupture is not as quickly noticeable. Modern silicone breast implants consist of a “gummy bear” gel silicone that is inside a shell casing. Since the gel substance is thicker, the risks of leakage are reduced. Some of the common reasons a silicone implant will fail include excessive pressure, chest injury or trauma, damaged shell casing, or accidental damage during another surgery.

The 4 most common signs that you may have a ruptured breast implant are:

1.) Reduction of breast size
2.) Change in breast shape
3.) Breast pain/breast tenderness
4.) Lumps or "ripples" in your breast

Most people are very familiar with breast implants, but did you know there was another option for breast enhancement? Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery in Mobile, Alabama sits down to discuss fat grafting options.

Fat transfer breast augmentation essentially uses liposuction to take fat from other parts of your body and inject it into your breasts. This is a breast augmentation option for women who are looking for a relatively small increase in breast size and would prefer natural results. Fat grafting has been used for years in cosmetic surgery, especially as a natural filler in facial plastic surgery. Advances in fat transfer techniques have led to fat grafting becoming a safe and effective breast enhancement procedure. Unlike traditional breast augmentation, this natural form of breast enhancement uses excess fat from your own body to improve the shape and size of your breasts. Because of the process, women benefit not only from enhancing their breasts, but also from losing excess fat from areas where it is not wanted.

What does the Fat Transfer process look like?
-- Extraction: Fatty tissue is removed from the donor area using liposuction
-- Processing: Healthy fat cells are separated from other fluids and impurities removed during the liposuction process
-- Re-injection: Drs. Ryan Rebowe or Christopher Park carefully inject the purified fat cells into the breasts

Because your body will naturally absorb some of the fat, Dr. Larsen injects just a bit more than needed so that your results meet your expectations once any swelling goes down.

If you are interested in learning more about this option, or if you are interested in breast augmentation in general, give us a call today. We would love the opportunity to speak with you about your concerns and goals. You can learn more about the other services we offer at www.parkplastics.com

You can call us at (251) 340-6600

Breast Reductions are the most common procedures we perform at The Park Clinic. We have a very unique approach to our evaluation of patients. We have an entire process dedicated to our Breast reduction Clinic

When you make an appointment for a Breast Reduction consultation you will be making an appointment to see me first. I will become your personal guide through all curves of the road ahead of you-consultation, examination, insurance approval, pre-op, surgery, recovery, and post op appointments. Over the years I have become an expert at breast reduction consultations, and I take pride and joy in discussing this surgery, examining you, and helping you to feel comfortable about the possibility of a procedure that will change your life!
At your first consultation appointment we will discuss the surgical procedure in great detail. Have all of your questions ready because I will be ready to answer them! Photos will be taken of you for insurance purposes only. I will examine you and take many measurements which are necessary to submit to your insurance company in order to obtain insurance approval. After the physical examination I will discuss in more detail about your current size, what size you would like to ideally be, and how much I feel can be removed safely while leaving you cosmetically beautiful. Certain plans allow us to submit your measurements online and you may know within minutes whether you have been approved allowing us to schedule your surgery and pre-op appointment with one of our surgeons before you leave your appointment! Some insurance companies require us to mail a letter with your measurements and pictures. If we have to mail a letter it can take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to get an answer from your insurance company. Once you have heard that you have been approved you can then call our office to schedule your surgery and pre-op appointment. We do require a current mammogram within 1 year as well as a BMI less than 40 and preferably less than 35.
Your pre-op appointment will be with one of our renowned surgeons, Dr. Christopher Park or Dr. Ryan Rebowe. During this appointment you will be examined once again by the surgeon performing your surgery, and they will welcome any questions you have before your big day. Consents for surgery will also be signed by you this day and you will receive any medications you will need post-op. At this appointment we will make sure you are ready for your surgical procedure.
Your surgery can be schedule at any of the facilities where we operate. Usually the facility is dictated by the day of surgery you desire and with whom your surgery is scheduled. The actual surgery usually take around 2 ½-3 hours. All of the facilities offer impeccable care and we will be there to help comfort and relieve your anxiety. Breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure which means you can be discharged with your loved ones the same day. Spending the night in the hospital is a possibility if one of us feels it is necessary though. You will be sent home from the surgical facility in a bra or breast binder, so you do not need to purchase many bras before your surgery. If you want to have an extra breast garment at home for after your surgery we recommend a soft, non-wired bra and one that fastens in the front. You also may have a drain placed during surgery to remove any excess fluid during your post op time. It will be important for you to record the drainage output and bring that record with you for your 1 week post-op appointment. The medical facility will give you a drain log and post op instructions. Feel free to call our office if you have any questions though. We are always happy to answer your questions. I will see you back at our office approximately 1 week post-op. I will remove your steri strips and your drain if you have one at this time. Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt to remove your drain!

Many patients also ask about adding other cosmetic procedures at the same time as their breast reduction surgery. It is very common for us to perform other surgical procedures at the time of a breast reduction. Some of the other common procedures include liposuction, abdominoplasty, and body contouring. We would love to discuss these other add on surgeries with you!
I hope that I have been able to answer some of your questions and calm your fears regarding breast reduction surgery. I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite surgeries because the results are immediate and I get to see how much this can change a patient’s life. I look forward to meeting you in person and guide you throughout your journey!

Our plastic surgeons often suggest Breast Lifts in conjunction to Breast Augmentation. This can sometimes confuse patients, but in this video Dr. Ryan Rebowe discusses why he and Dr. Park suggest this so often.

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Believe it or not, it is the most common cosmetic breast procedure done in more recent years - American Society of Plastic Surgeons statistics have shown that Breast Lifts have grown 70% since 2000, outpacing breast implants 2-to-1. As Dr. Rebowe will explain in the video, the reason for this is because often women will come in seeking implants when implants may not fix the woman's concern.

There are many reasons to get a Breast Lift. Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well. A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted. A woman's breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:
-- Pregnancy
-- Breastfeeding
-- Weight fluctuations
-- Aging
-- Gravity
-- Heredity

What are the limitations of a Breast Lift alone? Breast lift surgery does not significantly change the size of your breasts or round out the upper part of your breast. If you want your breasts to look fuller, consider breast lift and breast augmentation surgery. If you want smaller breasts, consider combining breast lift and breast reduction surgery.

Call us today at (251) 340-6600 to book a consult with Dr. Christopher Park or Dr. Ryan Rebowe so we can discuss your concerns and develop a plan to achieve your goals. You can learn more about the procedures we offer at www.parkplastics.com

The goal of a mommy makeover is to restore the shape and appearance of a woman's body after childbearing. Many women notice changes in their bodies post-pregnancy. There are many areas of the body that can be addressed, most commonly the breasts, abdomen, waist, genitalia and buttocks. A mommy makeover is typically performed as a single stage procedure.

Procedures that can be done during a Mommy Makeover:
-- Breast Augmentation
-- Breast Lift
-- Buttock Augmentation
-- Liposuction
-- Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)
-- Labiaplasty

The mommy makeover is one of today's most popular combination plastic surgery techniques, designed specifically to address common issues faced by women who have been through pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is a great way for a woman to personalize her body's restoration post-pregnancy and breastfeeding.

In the procedure combination in the video above is a Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, and Abdominoplasty. A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour. Breast augmentation involves using breast implants or fat transfer to increase the size of your breasts. This procedure can also restore breast volume lost after weight reduction or pregnancy, achieve a more rounded breast shape or improve natural breast size asymmetry. Tummy tuck surgery, also known as abdominoplasty, removes excess fat and skin and, in most cases, restores weakened or separated muscles creating an abdominal profile that is smoother and firmer.

This is one of the most common procedures our physicians perform at The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery because it is the most customizable of all the procedures we offer. A patient, in one operation, can address multiple areas of concern. To learn more about the services offered at The Park Clinic visit our website at www.parkplastics.com

If you are interested in booking a consultation with us give us a call at (251) 340-6600 and let us help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Our cosmetic consultations are only $75 and they do not obligate you to a procedure.

During a capsulectomy, a surgeon removes all or part of your capsule from your breast and replaces your implant. During capsulotomy surgery, the capsule is partially removed or released.

This is a very common procedure that our surgeons perform at The Park Clinic.

A DIEP flap is a type of breast reconstruction in which blood vessels called deep inferior epigastric perforators (DIEP), as well as the skin and fat connected to them, are removed from the lower abdomen and transferred to the chest to reconstruct a breast after mastectomy without the sacrifice of the patient's abdominal wall.

Dr. Rebowe gives a quick overview of why the procedure is optimal for the breast cancer victim and what makes the outcome better than a few other options.

Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe are the only physicians that offer the DIEP flap procedure in the Mobile area.

Breast reconstruction flaps create a breast by moving tissue from another part of one’s own body (autologous). The advantages are increased durability to radiation, more natural shape and feel, and the ability to add tissue where tissue is missing. In suitable patients, Dr. Park prefers flap reconstruction. Blood supply is critical for flap reconstruction and is impaired in patients who are smokers, diabetic, obese, or suffer from vascular disease, collagen vascular disease, and autoimmune diseases. The most common source for breast reconstruction flaps is the abdomen. The primary advantage of using abdominal tissue is that it provides the most cosmetic and natural breast reconstruction in women with the best skin and texture match to the breast. In addition, a modified version of an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is performed at the same time, but this should not drive the decision. The potential complications of implants are also usually avoided.

The skin and fat of the lower abdominal wall, normally discarded in a tummy tuck operation, are elevated and moved to the chest using either the rectus muscle as a pedicle or hinge with blood supply (Pedicled Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous /TRAM flap), disconnecting the tissues blood supply to the muscle and skin and moving it to the chest (Free Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous / Free TRAM flap), a free TRAM with limited muscle (Muscle sparing free TRAM), or moving the tissue based only on a blood vessel, skin, and fat (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator / DIEP flap). The last 3 options mentioned are much more complicated and time intensive, requiring division of vessels and reconnection to blood vessels in the chest or armpit using a microscope, similar to a transplant. Once completed, the amount of blood flow is greater than the pedicled TRAM, but there is a risk of thrombosis (clotting) of the anastamoses, creating the need for urgent reoperation and the risk of complete loss of the flap. These procedures should only be performed by those experienced in their use.

To learn more about the options you have for breast cancer reconstruction visit our website at www.theparkplasticsurgery.com

Have you ever heard of a "tissue matrix" in breast cancer reconstruction? Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery use tissue matrices often in the breast cancer reconstruction cases they perform.

"Tissue matrix" is a generic term referring to large sheets of collagen matrix used in breast cancer reconstruction to help add soft tissue support to implant based breast reconstruction. The native skin will incorporate this matrix and it will become part of the mastectomy skin flaps, decrease the rate of capsular contracture, and allow for more precise placement of the tissue expander or implant used in your reconstruction. In some cases a tissue matrix allows us to place the implant above the muscle.

In the video above you see a smooth round moderate plus silicone implant used for a "direct to implant" reconstruction following a nipple sparing mastectomy. Using an implant to rebuild the breast requires less surgery than flap reconstruction, since it only involves the chest area (and not a tissue donor site). Still, it may require more than one procedure. It also may require additional surgery in the future, as implants can wear out and develop other issues, such as tightness of scar tissue around the implant. Implants may be a good option for thin women with small breasts because these women often don't have enough extra tissue on their bellies, backs, thighs, or buttocks to form a good breast shape as required by flap reconstruction. Implant reconstruction is also a good option if:

-- You’d like to avoid incisions in other parts of the body (donor sites) or sacrificing the muscle structure in donor sites. Also keep in mind that the newest flap procedures preserve muscle and may be worth exploring if you’re concerned about this.
-- You do not need radiation therapy. There is a high chance of developing problems in an implant reconstruction after radiation.
-- You can’t or don’t want to endure a lengthier flap reconstruction operation.
-- You are willing to surgically alter your healthy breast to achieve symmetry or balance. It is not always easy to match an implant, which has a fixed shape, to the remaining natural breast.

All of your options when it comes to breast cancer reconstruction will be discussed at length with Dr. Ryan Rebowe or Dr. Christopher Park at your initial consultation with The Park Clinic. We pride ourselves on being the premiere breast cancer reconstruction practice in the Mobile, Alabama area. We perform well over 100 breast cancer reconstructions annually, and we are the only practice along the Alabama Gulf Coast that offers the DIEP Flap reconstruction option for patients. In the past, the nearest option for patients interested in this option had to travel out of state.

Visit our photo gallery to look at some of our breast reconstruction before & after images by visiting the following link: https://www.theparkplasticsurgery.com/before-after-photos-mobile/breast-reconstruction/

Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The park Clinic for Plastic Surgery do more breast reduction procedures than anyone else on the Alabama Gulf Coast. For those seeking breast reduction surgery we are the premiere clinic for you. Our clinic has an entire process dedicated to breast reductions that provides holistic and optimal care to those seeking breast reductions from the consultation, to the operating room, to post operative care. To learn more about this process you can visit our web page discussing our Breast Reduction Clinic: https://www.theparkplasticsurgery.com/breast-cosmetic-surgery-mobile/breast-reduction-clinic/

Large, heavy breasts can cause a number of problems including neck pain, back pain, bra strap grooving, upper extremity nerve compression, rashes, or yeast infections, as well as considerable embarrassment, especially to younger women and teenagers. Women experiencing any of these problems may be candidates for a breast reduction. A breast reduction removes excess tissue and returns the descended nipple/areola to a more normal size and position, producing more comfortable, proportional, and aesthetic breasts. Excessively large breasts (macromastia) are often the result of increased sensitivity to estrogen and may occur due to genetics, weight gain, or endocrine disorders. Teenagers may develop macromastia with hormonal changes known as virginal hypertrophy and observation is recommended as it may improve or recur if a reduction is performed in teenagers, but if significantly traumatic to the psyche, a reduction mammoplasty can be helpful.

The biggest drawback to a breast reduction is scarring, although most patients are happy with the trade off. Most breasts will require an inferior pedicle wise pattern reduction which leaves scars that extend around the areola, down to the inframammary fold, and across the inframammary fold in the shape of an anchor. Certain smaller breast can be reduced without the transverse scar below the breast, using a vertical breast reduction technique either medially or superiorly based pedicle. This method often leaves some excess skin at the bottom of the breast that dissipates in time, but may require a minor excision later. Projection is often greater with this technique, but 6 – 12 weeks of settling is necessary before the final result is appreciated. The nipple is left attached to blood and nerve supply and rotated up before adjusting the skin envelope for closure. Sensation, nipple survival, and nipple function should remain normal. Patients with extremely large breasts (gigantomastia) may require a technique where the lower breast is removed and the nipple is transferred as a free graft, disrupting the sensation and functional ducts.

To schedule a consultation with The Park Clinic give us a call today - 251.340.6600

We love doing combo surgeries on patients that want to address multiple areas of concern! We are able to offer many different combinations that are commonly referred to as "mommy makeovers". These combinations can be breast augmentation, breast lift, abdominoplasty, belt lipectomy, buttocks augmentation, liposuction, arm lifts, thigh lifts, neck lifts, and many more.

In this surgery we perform breast augmentation with implants and a tummy tuck. To view our before and after gallery for these procedures visit the following website:

https://www.theparkplasticsurgery.com/before-after-photos-mobile/mommy-makeover/



Breast augmentation — also known as augmentation mammoplasty — is surgery to increase breast size. It involves placing breast implants under breast tissue or chest muscles. For some women, breast augmentation is a way to feel more confident. For others, it's part of rebuilding the breast for various conditions.

There are many different types of breast implants available to patients:

Saline breast implants are filled with sterile salt water. Should the implant shell leak, a saline implant will collapse and the saline will be absorbed and naturally expelled by the body. Saline breast implants provide a uniform shape, firmness and feel, and are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 18 or older.

Structured saline breast implants -- Structured implants are filled with sterile salt water, and contain an inner structure which aims to make the implant feel more natural.

Silicone breast implants -- Silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel. The gel feels a bit more like natural breast tissue. If the implant leaks, the gel may remain within the implant shell, or may escape into the breast implant pocket. A leaking implant filled with silicone gel will not collapse. If you choose silicone implants, you may need to visit your plastic surgeon regularly to make sure the implants are functioning properly. An ultrasound or MRI screening can assess the condition of breast implants. Silicone breast implants are FDA-approved for augmentation in women age 22 or older.

Gummy bear breast implants -- Form-stable implants are sometimes referred to as gummy bear breast implants because they maintain their shape even when the implant shell is broken. The consistency of the silicone gel inside the implant is thicker than traditional silicone gel implants. These implants are also firmer than traditional implants. Shaped gummy bear breast implants have more projection at the bottom and are tapered towards the top. If a shaped implant rotates, it may lead to an unusual appearance of the breast that requires a separate procedure to correct. Placement of gummy bear implants requires a slightly longer incision in the skin.

Round breast implants -- Round breast implants have a tendency to make breasts appear fuller than form-stable implants. Higher profile options can achieve even more projection. Because round implants are the same shape all over, there is less concern about them rotating out of place.

Smooth breast implants -- Smooth breast implants are the softest feeling. They can move with the breast implant pocket, which may give more natural movement. Smooth implants may have some palpable or visible rippling under the skin.

Textured breast implants -- Textured breast implants develop scar tissue to stick to the implant, making them less likely to move around inside of the breast and become repositioned. Texturing offers some advantage in diminishing the risk of a tight scar capsule.

One of the wonderful things about plastic surgery is that we can combine a number of procedures so that we are able to customize each patient's experience based on their needs and their concerns. Often times the combinations of these procedures are referred to "Mommy Makeovers". The Park Clinic has offered Mommy Makeover procedures to the Alabama Gulf Coast for over a decade.

In this combination case our founding physician, Dr. Chris Park, performs a breast lift procedure (mastopexy) and also does some abdominal contouring by performing liposuction. Once again, this is a way that we are able to customize our patients' experience based on their main areas of concern. We have posted a number of Mommy Makeover videos on here, and no two are the same.

To view our gallery of before & after photos visit the link below. You can view all of our services offered and even pick out which procedures you yourself would combine were you to get a Mommy Makeover:
https://www.theparkplasticsurgery.com/before-after-photos-mobile/

Returning to our discussion on the case in the video above, below is more information on the individual procedures combined in this Mommy Makeover.

A breast lift, also known as mastopexy, raises the breasts by removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to reshape and support the new breast contour.

New statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons show breast lifts have grown 70% since 2000, outpacing breast implants 2-to-1.

Sometimes the areola becomes enlarged over time, and a breast lift will reduce this as well.

A breast lift can rejuvenate your figure with a breast profile that is more youthful and uplifted. A woman's breasts often change over time, losing their youthful shape and firmness. These changes and loss of skin elasticity can result from:

Pregnancy
Breastfeeding
Weight fluctuations
Aging
Gravity
Heredity

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that uses a suction technique to remove fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms or neck. Liposuction also shapes (contours) these areas. Other names for liposuction include lipoplasty and body contouring of the abdomen, buttocks, flanks, and limbs.

Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery discusses some neat features with the popular gummy bear implants.

In the vast majority of patients, Dr. Chris Park and I recommend some type of “gummy bear” implant. This simply refers to a silicone breast implant filled with a “cohesive” silicone gel that is more likely to stick to itself. This property is an important feature of newer breast implants that prevents the silicone gel from leaking out into your body in the very unlikely case of a rupture. There is a wide range of these types of implants in today’s market, ranging from more cohesive to less cohesive. When choosing an implant, it is important to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands all makes and models of implants available in order to choose the appropriate implant for your body. You can checkout our before & after photos for breast augmentation by visiting: https://www.theparkplasticsurgery.com/before-after-photos-mobile/breast-augmentation/

Breast augmentation, or augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical technique to increase the size of the breasts. Any woman that desires a larger breast may be a candidate for breast augmentation if she has realistic expectations. There are other techniques to increase the size of the breasts, but the most trusted technique is placement of an implant surgically. There are multiple options that are discussed and decided during a breast augmentation consultation.

The implant is a silicone shell filled with sterile saline (salt water) or silicone gel. The silicone gel filled implants have been again used for cosmetic use after FDA clearance in 2006 after the highly publicized controversy regarding the long term health consequences of silicone gel implants. The findings of all research studies have not demonstrated any consistent relationship between silicone breast implants and systemic illness. The new generation of implants is less prone to the slow silicone leak (bleed) that was felt to be responsible for most of the local problems with silicone implants. Gel implants are more soft and natural, especially when there is less overlying breast tissue, but they do require larger incisions than their saline counterparts since they are prefilled.

Dr. Rebowe has discussed ruptured implants recently in another video. In this video, while doing an explant on a patient, he stops to show viewers what an older generation implant looks like when ruptured in the body. This particular implant is about 30 years old.

Last week we posted about gummy bear implants and cohesive gels. This case illustrates why the newer generation implants were developed. Older implants had a very thin gel that tended to leak through their thin silicone shells, and the same silicone shells had a tendency to rupture even with minor trauma. Today’s implants are much stronger and typically do not rupture except for extreme circumstances. When they do, rupture is typically contained within the scar capsule around the implant due to the cohesive or “gummy” nature of the gel. Thinner gels of older implants do have a tendency to leak into tissues if left long enough, however this patient thankfully had an intra-capsular rupture. Both implants and the scar capsule in this case were removed in order to ensure no silicone remained.

The implant is a silicone shell filled with sterile saline (salt water) or silicone gel. The silicone gel filled implants have been again used for cosmetic use after FDA clearance in 2006 after the highly publicized controversy regarding the long term health consequences of silicone gel implants. The findings of all research studies have not demonstrated any consistent relationship between silicone breast implants and systemic illness. The new generation of implants is less prone to the slow silicone leak (bleed) that was felt to be responsible for most of the local problems with silicone implants. Gel implants are more soft and natural, especially when there is less overlying breast tissue, but they do require larger incisions than their saline counterparts since they are prefilled.

Both Dr. Park and Dr. Rebowe recommend having liposuction done when having a breast reduction. The reason we like to recommend this is because it allows for a more contoured look so that the patient's new breasts look natural. It primarily helps to de-bulk and de-fat the sides of the breasts, create a nice definition of the side boundary of the breast, and reduce upper back fat. Who can argue with that? Adding liposuction to a breast reduction does not increase its risks or the complexity of surgery – it will, however, create somewhat more bruising and swelling at the sides of the breasts and the upper arm area, but these temporary effects are typically worth the improved results!

Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a procedure to remove excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size more in proportion with your body and to alleviate the discomfort associated with excessively large breasts (macromastia). Disproportionately large breasts can cause both physical and emotional distress for patients. Patients with macromastia may experience physical discomfort resulting from the weight of their breasts. The resulting pain can make it challenging for some patients to perform common physical activities. Along with the physical ailments of macromastia, some patients may suffer from emotional distress or more significant mental health problems as a result of their large breasts.

Although breast reduction is often performed to address medical issues, patients who do not have the symptoms of macromastia but are unhappy with the size of their breasts can still pursue breast reduction as an aesthetic procedure. Often times what these patients are looking for is a Breast Lift.

When considering breast implants, women want a beautiful, natural, and safe result that doesn’t leave them wondering whether their implant has ruptured silently. The IDEAL IMPLANT Structured Breast Implant is the latest implant technology designed by a plastic surgeon to give women the best of both worlds—the beautiful look and natural feel they want, with the safety of only saline inside.

Dr. Chris Park of The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery discusses why more of his patients are interested in The IDEAL Implant. The physicians at The Park Clinic utilize a variety of implants to accommodate patients' goals. Offering The IDEAL Implant is one of many ways we cater to our patients' desires.

Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery gives a quick over view of his experience with The IDEAL Implant and what he is hearing from his patients.

The unique design of the IDEAL IMPLANT is what gives it a natural feel and youthful look, without using silicone gel. It has a series of implant shells nested together and two separate chambers that hold the saline. It is made with standard implant materials, yet uses an advanced internal structure to control movement of the saline and support the implant edges to reduce collapse and wrinkling.

Silicone implants have historically been the preferred choice by patients because they provide the best cosmetic appearance when compared to saline implants. However, saline implants are slightly safer when concerning implant ruptures. The IDEAL Implant's design allows it to give patients the silicone look without the silicone risk if ruptured. When intact, silicone gel implants are FDA approved and safe. But when they rupture, the FDA states the “implant and any gel should be removed.” Yet silicone gel ruptures are silent, meaning they can only be detected by an MRI, so the FDA recommends that women have an MRI scan every other year to find out if their implants have ruptured. IDEAL IMPLANT offers a natural feel without these concerns. The IDEAL IMPLANT has a natural feel without risk of silent rupture, a youthful shape and contour, and many advantages women value over round silicone gel implants. You will always know your implants are intact simply by looking in the mirror, because you shouldn’t have to choose between natural feel and peace of mind.

Dr. Rebowe removed 30-year old breast implants from a patient due to one rupturing. In this quick video he shows viewers what a ruptured implant looks like. He also explains why it is important to have annual exams by your plastic surgeon to make sure that your implants have not ruptured.

A capsulectomy refers to the surgical removal of the capsule (made of scar tissue) that forms naturally around breast implants. This surgery is typically used to treat a complication of breast augmentation, removing implant ruptures, or breast reconstruction surgery called capsule contracture. We perform many of these at The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery in Mobile, Alabama. Most of the time when we perform these surgeries they are due to implant ruptures.

All types of breast implants have an outer, silicone shell that can potentially develop a tear or hole called a rupture. A saline implant also has a valve that can fail, causing a leak. The chance that your implant will rupture or leak increases over time. Implant rupture can happen because of normal aging of the implant, trauma caused by a car accident, a needle insertion during a biopsy, or other factors.

Breast Reconstruction is a portfolio of surgery options offered to patients who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or have undergone a mastectomy prior to seeing us.

Both of our physicians offer the most comprehensive options to breast cancer patients. In this video Dr. Rebowe gives a brief introduction to viewers, and in following videos discusses the different options available in more depth.

Drs. Christopher Park & Ryan Rebowe pride themselves on being the #1 option on the Alabama Gulf Coast for breast cancer reconstruction services, and our goal with these videos is to further educate patients on the options available to them in their time of need.

Are you trying to determine whether delayed or immediate reconstruction is best? In this video Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The Park Clinic discusses the rough timelines for both.

In most cases, breast reconstruction can be performed at the same time as your mastectomy, and is referred to as “immediate reconstruction.” Reconstruction can also be performed weeks, months, or years later. This is known as “delayed reconstruction.”

The decision to have immediate versus delayed reconstruction is depends on many factors, including:

-- Breast cancer stage
-- Your medical condition
-- Your preference and lifestyle
-- Additional therapies (such as radiation) needed to treat the breast cancer

Advantages of Immediate Reconstruction:
-- Decreased risk of social or emotional difficulties
-- Better cosmetic results
-- Possibly fewer surgeries and lower surgery cost
-- No difference in rate of development of local cancer recurrence
-- No difference in the ability to detect local cancer recurrence
-- No significant delays in getting other cancer treatments

Disadvantages of Immediate Reconstruction:
-- Harder to detect mastectomy skin problems
-- Longer hospitalization and recovery times than if you had mastectomy alone
-- More scarring than mastectomy alone

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Advantages of Delayed Reconstruction:
-- Additional cancer therapy after mastectomy (such as radiation) does not cause problems at the reconstruction site
-- Gives patients more time to consider breast reconstruction options

Disadvantages of Delayed Reconstruction:
-- Mastectomy scar on chest wall
-- Requires additional surgery and recovery time
-- Sometimes difficult to reconstruct after scarring occurs
-- Less optimal cosmetic results

Many breast cancer patients who have a mastectomy will consider breast reconstruction. But for a portion of these women, radiation therapy is also recommended — and that can alter the tissue around the breast, impacting reconstruction efforts. In this video, Dr. Ryan Rebowe briefly discusses options that are available post-radiation.

In an earlier video we discussed all of the options available to breast cancer patients. One of them was the option to do nothing following a mastectomy. In this video, Dr. Rebowe discusses the pros and cons to choosing to do nothing.

The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery performs more breast cancer reconstruction than anyone on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Many of the cases involve the use of a tissue expander. You may have heard the term before, but what is its role in breast cancer reconstruction?

After your mastectomy (surgery to remove your breast), you’ll have a breast reconstruction surgery using a tissue expander. A tissue expander is an empty breast implant that your surgeon will fill with normal saline over about 6 to 8 weeks until it reaches the breast size that you and your surgeon decided on.

There are 2 ways to do this type of reconstruction:

Sub-muscular placement: This is when your surgeon makes a pocket under your large pectoralis muscle in your chest and places a tissue expander in that space.
Your skin is very weak and fragile after your mastectomy, but your muscle is a barrier between your skin and tissue expander. If your tissue expander is placed under the muscle, it will be filled with normal saline.


Pre-pectoral placement: This is when your surgeon places the expander over your large pectoralis muscle.
After a mastectomy, your skin is very weak and fragile. It’s important to help take pressure off the skin when your skin is first healing after your mastectomy. If your tissue expander is placed over the muscle, it will be filled with air which is less dense than normal saline.

If the tissue expander is placed over your muscle, your surgeon will also place a mesh around the expander. This is called acellular dermal matrix. The mesh will help support the expander while your skin is healing. About 2 weeks after your surgery, the air that the tissue expander is filled with will be changed to normal saline.

Your surgeon will discuss the placement of the expander with you at your pre-surgical consultation. The usual hospital stay for breast reconstruction is less than 24 hours (1 day).

About 4 to 8 weeks after the tissue expansion is finished, you’ll have a second surgery using the same incisions (surgical cuts) to remove the tissue expander and insert the permanent breast implant that you choose with your plastic surgeon.

You’ll go home the same day of surgery. If you’re getting chemotherapy or radiation therapy, you’ll need to wait until after your treatment to place the permanent implant.

Dr. Ryan Rebowe discusses a latissimus dorsi flap with viewers. Both Dr. Rebowe and Dr. Park at The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery offer this surgery to breast cancer patients that are ideal candidates.

During latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction surgery, an incision is made in your back near your shoulder blade. Then, an oval section of skin, fat, blood vessels, and muscle is slid through a tunnel under the skin under your arm to your chest and formed into a breast shape. The blood vessels are left attached to their original blood supply in your back. If any blood vessels do have to be cut, they are matched to blood vessels in your chest and carefully reattached under a microscope.

Dr. Christopher Park and Dr. Ryan Rebowe of The Park Clinic for Plastic Surgery are the only physicians on the Alabama or Mississippi Gulf Coast that offer the DIEP Flap reconstructive surgery to breast cancer patients.

In this quick video, Dr. Rebowe discusses the two procedures with viewers. Not everyone is an ideal candidate for these procedures, however if you are considering one of these or are interested in discussing your options further please do not hesitate to give us a call at (251) 340-6600!

Breast reconstruction flaps create a breast by moving tissue from another part of one’s own body (autologous). The advantages are increased durability to radiation, more natural shape and feel, and the ability to add tissue where tissue is missing. In suitable patients, Dr. Park prefers flap reconstruction. Blood supply is critical for flap reconstruction and is impaired in patients who are smokers, diabetic, obese, or suffer from vascular disease, collagen vascular disease, and autoimmune diseases. The most common source for breast reconstruction flaps is the abdomen. The primary advantage of using abdominal tissue is that it provides the most cosmetic and natural breast reconstruction in women with the best skin and texture match to the breast. In addition, a modified version of an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is performed at the same time, but this should not drive the decision. The potential complications of implants are also usually avoided.

The skin and fat of the lower abdominal wall, normally discarded in a tummy tuck operation, are elevated and moved to the chest using either the rectus muscle as a pedicle or hinge with blood supply (Pedicled Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous /TRAM flap), disconnecting the tissues blood supply to the muscle and skin and moving it to the chest (Free Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous / Free TRAM flap), a free TRAM with limited muscle (Muscle sparing free TRAM), or moving the tissue based only on a blood vessel, skin, and fat (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator / DIEP flap). The last 3 options mentioned are much more complicated and time intensive, requiring division of vessels and reconnection to blood vessels in the chest or armpit using a microscope, similar to a transplant. Once completed, the amount of blood flow is greater than the pedicled TRAM, but there is a risk of thrombosis (clotting) of the anastamoses, creating the need for urgent reoperation and the risk of complete loss of the flap.

The operation can take between 2-½ to 4 hours for a pedicled TRAM and 4 – 12 hours for a free TRAM/DIEP and usually requires a 3 to 5 day hospital stay. There will be tubes to drain fluid and blood from the breast as well as the abdomen for 1 to 2 weeks. This operation does require a prolonged convalescence. The removal of abdominal skin will leave the belly tight and the patient will not be able to stand or lay straight for at least a week in order to minimize pain and prevent tension on the abdominal closure. It will take at least 3 weeks before resuming light activity and 3 months to resume strenuous levels of activity. There will be a scar across the length of the lower abdomen as well as on the breast. The abdominal wall may be weakened and prone to bulge, which can be prevented or corrected with mesh reinforcement. Skin transferred from the abdomen may develop some sensation, but it will be quite different than sensation prior to mastectomy.

Bilateral Breast Reductions are one of our most popular surgeries here at The Park & Rebowe Clinic for Plastic Surgery.

We have a video that goes more in depth on our process for treating breast reduction patients that can be found here (https://www.theparkplasticsurgery.com/breast-cosmetic-surgery-mobile/breast-reduction-clinic/). In this video our Physician Assistant, Lindsey Beville, revisits common questions that she gets when doing the initial breast reduction consultations.