Before and after bilateral breast reconstruction revision in a 68-year-old breast cancer survivor. She had previously undergone bilateral partial mastectomies, right breast radiation and implant reconstruction, with both implants sitting under the muscle. Every time she used her arms, her breasts flexed and the skin crinkled, which caused her to give up gardening and exercise due to muscle spasms and discomfort.
She had been told elsewhere “You look fine in clothes” but she wanted an improvement and to get back to doing the things she loved! She found our office and was given hope that she could eventually resume her hobbies, since she was now retired and had all the time in the world for surgical recovery.
Her old implants were removed; her pectoralis major muscles were returned to the chest wall and repaired to the ribs and the sternum. A new space was created on top of the muscle, in the prepectoral position. New smaller silicone gel breast implants were inserted, and a lift was performed to redrape the skin around the smaller implants and lift the nipples.
Liposuction removed excess fat from armpits and bra rolls to complement the procedure. After surgery, she waited six weeks before lifting her cat (five pounds) and started gardening again at six weeks.
Follow up photos are shown 9 months after surgery. Her right radiated breast will always sit a little higher and feel somewhat stiffer than her left non-radiated breast reconstruction, but she has greatly improved symmetry and has lost the painful animation deformity.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
