Dr. Grunwald will restore your breasts to their pre-surgery state
The stigma of having a mastectomy can make it difficult to embrace your life as a breast cancer survivor. Breast reconstruction is an important component of physical and emotional healing for many women who have overcome this serious struggle. Breast reconstruction surgery will restore your breasts to their natural size, shape and appearance, and will help to rebuild your self-esteem in the process.
When you undergo breast reconstruction, Dr. Grunwald will restore your breasts to their pre-surgery state with the goal of mitigating any stigma you may experience because of your mastectomy. Ideally, reconstructive breast surgery should be performed during or immediately after your mastectomy, when your chest wall is unaffected by radiation or scarring. Dr. Grunwald works closely with many reputable surgical oncologists at Saint John's Breast Center, Cedars Sinai and in the greater Los Angeles area, and will collaborate with your oncologist, radiation therapist and breast surgeon to develop a treatment plan best suited for your goals. During your consultation, Dr. Grunwald will discuss your goals and the breast reconstruction techniques most suited to your unique needs. It is best to bring study results with you during this initial meeting.
DR. GRUNWALD SPECIALIZES IN THE FOLLOWING BREAST RECONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES:
Immediate One Stage Reconstruction: During this procedure, Dr. Grunwald will place a permanent silicone implant at the time of your mastectomy. This requires reconstruction of the lower half of the breast with a material that acts as an internal bra.
Nipple Sparing Mastectomy: This technique preserves the nipple areola complex while removing all of your breast tissue. Dr. Grunwald will assess previous scars and your nipple position, and consult closely with your oncologic surgeon, in order to determine if this technique is right for you.
Implant Reconstruction: Dr. Grunwald will place a saline or silicone gel implant and mold the new breast around it. This surgery may be completed in one, two or three stages. It may be necessary to use a tissue expander if the chest wall tissues are tight or have compromised blood flow after mastectomy.
Reconstruction with your own Tissue: Several breast reconstruction methods use skin, fat or muscle to form a “tissue flap” that helps recreate the breast.
Transverse Rectus Abdominus Muscle Flap or TRAM: This technique uses abdominal tissue to create your new breast. The abdominal skin and fat discarded during an abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is used to create the new breast.
Muscle Sparing Abdominal Flap Reconstruction or DIEP: This highly specialized microsurgical procedure is similar to the TRAM flap, but minimally disturbs the abdominal muscles to preserve your core strength.
Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction: This method uses tissue from your upper back as a donor site. It may be used by itself to create a smaller breast or with an implant for a fuller reconstruction.