What Is Breast Reconstruction?
Breast cancer presents untold challenges, one of which is the potential loss of breast tissue during a mastectomy or lumpectomy. At Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, we specialize in a wide selection of breast reconstruction techniques to help Chicago, IL women regain their sense of identity and femininity after breast loss. Using a variety of approaches, we strive to create results that look and feel as close as possible to your natural breasts. This surgery may involve a few procedures and different stages that may be done along with your cancer treatment or delayed until a later date. Wherever you are in your breast cancer journey, our entire team is here to provide support and advanced care to elevate your quality of life.
How Is Breast Reconstruction Surgery Performed?
When it comes to breast reconstruction, there are many different techniques. During your initial consultation at our Chicago, IL practice, we'll discuss the different approaches we might take for your breast reconstruction surgery and determine the best way forward based on your medical history and aesthetic goals. We'll also have a detailed discussion about what you can expect during the healing process and what your end results may look like. While the specific details of each patient's surgery can vary, breast reconstruction generally involves using implants, existing tissue, or a hybrid approach to produce a replacement breast that sits naturally on the chest wall. Nipple reconstruction is typically done later after the breasts have had time to heal.
For a more comprehensive description of how this surgery works and the different techniques we employ for breast reconstruction at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery, either browse our detailed treatment pages or schedule a consultation with our plastic surgery team in Chicago, IL.
What Are the Benefits of Breast Reconstruction?
There are a number of reasons why you might be interested in breast reconstruction, whether you're trying to regain your pre-cancer body or are rebuilding a breast impacted by trauma or a congenital defect. Regardless of your reason, our team at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery is committed to helping you achieve your goals. The benefits of breast reconstruction at our practice include:
- Advanced knowledge of breast reconstruction techniques
- Improves confidence and self-image
- Restores a sense of balance to the chest and upper body
- No need for prosthetics
- Allows you to feel comfortable and stylish in a wider range of outfits
Breast Reconstruction Options Reviews
I used Dr. Schierle (along with his incredible PA Monika) for my DIEP Flap Reconstruction after my breast cancer diagnosis. I interviewed multiple plastic surgeons but opted to go with him not only for his skilled background, but his ability to be upfront and realistic with me, while simultaneously compassionate. Hopefully I`ll never need him again for oncology reconstruction needs, but I would definitely use him for any elective future plastic surgery and recommend him to anyone who is looking for a very skilled plastic surgeon!
Very skilled plastic surgeon, highly recommend - I used Dr. Schierle (along with his incredible PA Monika) for my DIEP Flap Reconstruction after my breast cancer diagnosis. I interviewed multiple plastic surgeons but opted to go with him not only for his skilled background, but his ability to be upfront and realistic with me, while simultaneously compassionate. Hopefully I'll never need him again for oncology reconstruction needs, but I would definitely use him for any elective future plastic surgery and recommend him to anyone who is looking for a very skilled plastic surgeon!
I visited Dr Fine and his team after a failed breast reconstruction after being treated for cancer with mastectomy, chemo and radiation. From the first visit, there were noticeable differences between my prior surgeon and him. He and his team are empathetic and make their patients feel at ease and cared for. At each visit, he and his team have spent a lot of time with me. The visits never feel rushed. At my first visit, he looked at my infected reconstructed breast with an exposed implant and calmly explained what was necessary to fix it. He then explained the procedure he thought would be helpful and showed me before and after pictures of patients who had undergone the suggested surgery. The end result was gorgeous, by the way, in all of these pictures---even in post radiation patients. In this visit alone, he spent more time with me than my prior surgeon had spent with me over multiple visits. He answered all my very detailed questions. In my first visit with my prior surgeon, before my mastectomy, my husband and I were left alone in an exam room for about an hour with a saline-filled implant and silicone-filled implant on the counter to look at. The surgeon I went to before spent about 20 minutes with me in that visit and did not show me any before or after pictures. The choices presented to me were implant reconstruction with saline- or silicone-filled implants or an abdominal flap procedure that takes 2-4 months to recover from. I am very career-oriented and don't have 2 months to take off of work. Dr Fine, on the other hand, gave me the option of a latissimus doors flap with a significantly shorter recovery time, lower complication rate, and better aesthetic result. He gives you his honest opinion based on 30 years of experience. He tells you the hard truths: such as that 50% of implant reconstructions fail after radiation therapy. I wish I would have known that before I started on this journey because I would have made very different choices. The icing on the cake was when he took out the infected implant in his office, which makes a woman feel really terrible and ugly and scared, and his very kind PA told me I have beautiful eyes. Wow. What a caring team.
I visited Dr Fine and his team after a failed breast reconstruction after being treated for cancer with mastectomy, chemo and radiation. From the first visit, there were noticeable differences between my prior surgeon and him. He and his team are empathetic and make their patients feel at ease and cared for. At each visit, he and his team have spent a lot of time with me. The visits never feel rushed. At my first visit, he looked at my infected reconstructed breast with an exposed implant and calmly explained what was necessary to fix it. He then explained the procedure he thought would be helpful and showed me before and after pictures of patients who had undergone the suggested surgery. The end result was gorgeous, by the way, in all of these pictures---even in post radiation patients. In this visit alone, he spent more time with me than my prior surgeon had spent with me over multiple visits. He answered all my very detailed questions. In my first visit with my prior surgeon, before my mastectomy, my husband and I were left alone in an exam room for about an hour with a saline-filled implant and silicone-filled implant on the counter to look at. The surgeon I went to before spent about 20 minutes with me in that visit and did not go into detail. The choices presented to me were implant reconstruction with saline- or silicone-filled implants or an abdominal flap procedure that takes 2-4 months to recover from. I am very career-oriented and don't have 2 months to take off of work. Dr Fine, on the other hand, gave me the option of a latissimus dorsi flap with a significantly shorter recovery time, lower complication rate, and better aesthetic result. He gives you his honest opinion based on 30 years of experience. He tells you the hard truths: such as that 50% of implant reconstructions fail after radiation therapy. I wish I would have known that before I started on this journey because I would have made very different choices. The icing on the cake was when he took out the infected implant in his office, which makes a woman feel really terrible and ugly and scared, and his very kind PA told me I have beautiful eyes. Wow. What a caring team.
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Average Rating
Discover Your Options for Breast Reconstruction
While the process of breast reconstruction can take time, the benefits of this treatment can't be overstated. If you have breast cancer, have had an injury to the chest, or were born with a defect that affects the look of your breasts, we encourage you to contact Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery in Chicago, IL, and make an appointment with our experienced surgeons. We are ready to help you get back your identity and sense of normalcy after breast loss.