Before and after bilateral breast reconstruction by the breast reduction and lift technique in a 45-year-old woman with left breast cancer, macromastia and breast asymmetry.
After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, she required a left lumpectomy, postoperative radiation and more chemotherapy. Although she was a candidate for a mastectomy, she chose to keep her breast and perform breast conservation therapy as she had been considering a breast reduction and lift for years anyway!
A combined lumpectomy and axillary lymph node dissection was performed alongside a left breast reconstruction using the local tissue rearrangement (auto-augmentation mastopexy) technique. A right balancing breast reduction and lift was done at the same time. Liposuction removed excess fat from her axillary rolls (armpits and bra rolls).
After surgery, she underwent radiation for six weeks and six months of chemotherapy. Long-term follow up photos are shown 2 years after surgery, with very acceptable breast symmetry and her final results.
Radiation is known to shrink the breast after treatment – therefore, the left breast was made approximately 15% larger than its final anticipated size after the radiation effects were final. Post-radiation changes including tissue shrinkage, fibrosis and lightening of scars often take 1-2 years to be complete.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
