What Is Prepectoral Implant Breast Reconstruction?
Prepectoral implant reconstruction is one of the many breast restoration techniques we specialize in at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery. This method involves locating the breast implant over the pectoralis major muscle in the chest, removing the need to cut into the muscle. Patients who undergo prepectoral implant breast reconstruction often experience less pain, a quicker recovery period, and less visible deformity in the chest when staying active. Prepectoral reconstruction is a relatively new approach to breast reconstruction after mastectomy, but our plastic surgeons have already used it to help countless women in the Chicago, IL area regain their old look and confidence. Learn more about this procedure and whether you're a suitable candidate by scheduling a breast reconstruction consultation at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery.
How Is Prepectoral Reconstruction Performed?
Prepectoral reconstruction at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery is generally done in two phases. During the first phase, our surgeons will place balloon-like devices called tissue expanders. Once in place, these expanders will be slowly filled with saline solution over the course of several weeks or months until your breasts have reached your desired size. After that, we'll schedule a second surgery to place the final implants, which will be positioned between the skin and muscle. The implants are covered in a dermal matrix designed to provide support and help the implant integrate more quickly and smoothly.
Some patients may be eligible for single-stage prepectoral reconstruction. This procedure is performed at the same time as a mastectomy and may save you from having to make as many trips to our Chicago, IL plastic surgery office. During your consultation, we'll discuss whether or not a single-stage procedure is ideal for your case.
What Are the Benefits of Prepectoral Reconstruction?
For many years, the standard in breast reconstruction surgery was the submuscular approach (installing the implant under the chest muscle). As surgical techniques have evolved, however, prepectoral reconstruction has seen a rise in popularity thanks to its many benefits, which include:
- Faster recovery time
- Less animation deformity (breasts looking deformed during movement)
- Reduced chance of implant migration
- Can produce a more natural-looking appearance
- Minimal pain compared to alternative approaches
Prepectoral Reconstruction 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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Advanced Breast Reconstruction
If you are considering your options for replacing one or both breasts after mastectomy, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our experienced breast reconstruction team at Northwestern Specialists in Plastic Surgery to learn more about our techniques. Based on your health, figure, and the condition of your skin, our providers will build a surgery plan tailored to your unique needs so you can feel your most confident once again. Reach out to our plastic surgery office in Chicago, IL to learn more about prepectoral reconstruction and other methods we offer for breast restoration.