Before and after right delayed breast implant reconstruction and left balancing breast reduction with liposuction of the axillary rolls in a healthy 71-year-old breast cancer survivor who was a triathlete and competitive tennis player at her local club.
She was never offered breast reconstruction at the time of her breast cancer treatment over twenty years ago. She wanted to have smaller and perkier breasts than her current remaining breast, which was very reasonable, given her petite frame and active lifestyle!
For the right breast, a smooth round silicone gel breast implant was placed on top of the pectoralis major muscle in the prepectoral position, to create an immediate single stage breast reconstruction. A breast reduction and lift was performed on the left side at the same time. Liposuction removed excess fat from her armpits and bra rolls.
Her right nipple and areola was later reconstructed in the office under local anesthesia. The “nipple sharing” technique took a small piece of the left nipple and moved it to the right breast as a free nipple graft. Medical tattoo created a new areolar circle on the right and brightened the left areola for symmetry.
Long-term follow up photos are shown 3 years after surgery. She is grateful that she was offered reconstruction so many years after her breast cancer treatment. There really is no age limit for surgery – if women are healthy enough to undergo a general anesthetic and cleared by their Primary Care Physician (and other specialists, if indicated), then we certainly can consider breast reconstruction in these patients!
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
