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Breast Reconstruction in New York City

With numerous treatment options available to women with breast cancer, or genetic predisposition to breast cancer (BRCA gene mutation), trying to determine the best breast reconstruction options can be confusing. Gaining an understanding of the different types of New York Breast Reconstruction procedures and the steps and timing of the surgical process is important, and can occasionally factor into decisions regarding breast conservation surgery vs. mastectomy.

“Dr. Kolker is the most kind and caring man I have ever met. He took away so much of my fear and made me excited about my reconstruction. His meticulous reconstructive ‘art’ is just amazing. He is so in tune to detail. His staff is like family to me.”

— A.P. / New Jersey

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New York Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is an option for the majority of women undergoing unilateral mastectomy (one side) or bilateral mastectomy (both sides).

The type of Breast Reconstruction and timing thereof are the primary decisions to be made in conjunction with your plastic surgeon and breast surgeon. Immediate breast reconstruction, which begins the reconstructive surgical process during the mastectomy procedure, is possible for most patients.

Unilateral Mastectomy or Bilateral Mastectomy?

When the breast cancer diagnosis is on one side only, the decision to choose a unilateral mastectomy or a bilateral mastectomy can be daunting. Data suggests that there is no oncologic advantage to performing a mastectomy on the unaffected side.

Nevertheless, unilateral mastectomy rates have been decreasing by approximately 2% per year, and contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (a mastectomy performed on the opposite, non-affected side) are increasing by 15% per year. The primary reasons women have been making the choice to undergo bilateral surgery are aesthetic, as symmetry, both short and long term, is improved when the same or similar procedures are performed on both breasts at the same time.

Women that chose bilateral (contralateral prophylactic) mastectomy have also cited the advantage of no longer needing radiographic breast surveillance in the future. Women that choose unilateral mastectomy will likely need to undergo what is known as contralateral balancing surgery. Generally at the time of the expander-to-implant exchange procedure, either a breast lift (mastopexy), breast enlargement (breast augmentation with breast implant), or breast reduction may be required to improve symmetry.

Breast Reconstruction NYC

Breast Reconstruction with Dr. Kolker in NYC

In contrast to the results of years past, the art of breast reconstruction utilizes the best plastic surgery techniques for cosmetic breast enhancement in conjunction with the most advanced reconstructive plastic surgery modalities. Based on each woman’s desires, anatomy, and oncologic surgical requirements, it may be possible to achieve results that are natural, proportional, and truly aesthetically pleasing. Dr. Kolker has a reputation of delivering among the best Breast Reconstruction NYC has to offer, due to his meticulous, perfectionist and caring approach to each patient.

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There have been significant advances in breast reconstruction techniques that have enabled women who choose to undergo mastectomy to feel balanced, comfortable, confident and attractive. Dr. Kolker is a renowned, highly trained plastic surgeon offering Breast Reconstruction in New York and Manhattan.

After a mastectomy, there are two primary paths for breast reconstruction:

  • Prosthetic or implant-based reconstruction, which involves the use of tissue expanders and/or breast implants
  • Autologous reconstruction, utilizing tissue from elsewhere on your own body

When women chose breast conservation therapy that includes:

  • Lumpectomy
  • Sentinel lymph node biopsy
  • Radiation therapy

There is usually no role for plastic surgery maneuvers (with the rare exception of a lumpectomy performed in conjunction with breast reduction, known as oncoplastic surgery). Almost all breast reconstruction after mastectomy require several “stages” to achieve the final desired result, although other than the first inpatient surgery (mastectomy and first stage reconstruction), subsequent procedures are outpatient and associated with short recovery periods and minimal downtime.

When bilateral mastectomy is performed, the Breast Reconstruction process is most often identical on each side, and is associated with greater short term and long term symmetry. With unilateral (one side) mastectomy and breast reconstruction, surgery on the opposite breast (contralateral breast lift, breast augmentation, or breast reduction) is frequently required to achieve the most balanced results.

About Implant-Based (Prosthetic) Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction with breast implants (implant-based, prosthetic) can be performed in one or two primary surgical procedures. Dr. Kolker most often recommends two-stage reconstruction, beginning with a tissue expander at the first stage that is gradually filled to desired volume followed by a second procedure wherein the expander is removed and a permanent breast implant is inserted.

In contrast to the one stage implant approach, known as direct-to-implant reconstruction (DTI), the two stage process affords numerous advantages that include: a higher safety profile, as the amount of tension on the mastectomy skin flaps can be controlled with easy adjustments in perioperative expander volume and a more predictable aesthetic outcome, with fine-tuning at a second stage inherent in the process.

The two main surgeries of the tissue expander implant reconstruction are as follows: first stage, performed most commonly as an immediate breast reconstruction at the time of mastectomy, and the breast implant exchange, most often approximately three months after the first stage procedure. If needed adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy) may impact the timing of the exchange procedure only, as the second stage procedure is generally performed 4 weeks after the last treatment.

About Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Autologous breast reconstruction utilizes tissue from ones own body. When the tissue is ample, the reconstruction can be performed without the use of an implant. The most common “donor site” (the location from which the tissue is moved) is the abdomen, but it can also be transferred from:

  • Back
  • Hips
  • Gluteal region
  • Thighs

A TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous) flap has been the most common abdomen-based reconstruction, joined by the DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flap which is performed with microsurgery and preserves the abdominal musculature.

Other pedicled flap and free flap donor sites can bring tissue to the chest wall when necessary, but often need to be augmented with the placement of an implant (this is known as a hybrid breast reconstruction, employing autologous tissue and breast implants).

The autologous breast reconstruction procedures involve much more surgical time and a longer recovery. Dr. Kolker generally considers these procedures when there is a relative or absolute contraindication to his Breast Reconstruction in New York, using implants.

Dr. Kolker's Message to Those Considering Breast Reconstruction

“There has truly been a paradigm shift in breast reconstruction over the last decade. With advances including improvements in breast implant shapes and suppleness, soft tissue support matrices, and fat transfer techniques, we can not only achieve better contour and symmetry for women after mastectomy, but in many cases more natural, beautiful aesthetic results that can maintain and even improve a sense of balance and self-confidence.”

Dr. Adam Kolker
American Society of Plastic Surgeons The American Board of Plastic Surgery, Inc American Board of Medical Specialties The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery The American Board of Surgery American College of Surgeons American Academy of Pediatrics Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons New York Regional Society of Plastic Surgeons
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Acellular Dermal Matrix (AlloDerm)

For immediate tissue expander-implant reconstructions, Dr. Kolker uses a soft tissue support matrix.

Known as acellular dermal matrix, or AlloDerm, this serves as a “sling” to both cover the lower pole of the breast implant, maintain the location of the pectoralis major muscle, and to fortify and maintain the position of the implant. The use of AlloDerm has dramatically improved the aesthetics of Breast Reconstruction.

Nipple Reconstruction

After the nipple is removed during a total mastectomy, or modified radical mastectomy, a nipple reconstruction will be required to complete the breast reconstruction process.

The nipple reconstruction is most often performed at the third stage, following the mastectomy and tissue expander insertion stage and the implant exchange stage. If performed as an isolated procedure, the nipple construction can be performed under local anesthesia only. When combined with autologous fat grafts to the breast, the third stage is generally performed as an ambulatory procedure under sedation.

The technique that Dr. Kolker favors is a modification of a C-V flap, which uses skin locally on the reconstructed breast only. In the majority of cases, the nipple flap creation utilizes the pre-existing mastectomy scar line. Following this procedure, nipple areolar micropigmentation (tattoo) is performed to complete the nipple and the Breast Reconstruction.

Type of Mastectomy – Total Mastectomy or Nipple Sparing?

Most mastectomies for breast cancer are called a modified radical mastectomy, also known as a total mastectomy combined with an axillary node procedure (sentinel lymph node biopsy or lymph node dissection).

While most of these are largely “skin sparing”, the nipple areolar complex is removed with this type of mastectomy. With the increasing frequency of genetic testing and diagnosis, and treatment of women with familial genetic predisposition to breast cancer (BRCA), prophylactic mastectomy has become increasingly common.

In the absence of a cancer diagnosis, prophylactic mastectomy can often be performed as a nipple sparing mastectomy. When there is early stage breast cancer (generally Stage 0 or I), treatment with nipple sparing mastectomy can be considered in select cases.

The type of mastectomy that is ultimately selected is primarily informed by the individual’s oncologic requirements. When a single site of breast cancer is present in close proximity to the nipple areolar complex, generally within 2 cm, or in those with multifocal lesions (present in several locations) most breast surgeons recommend total mastectomy, advising against nipple sparing mastectomy.

For prophylactic treatment, and when the breast cancer is solitary, well localized, early stage, and distant from the nipple areolar complex, nipple sparing mastectomy can be considered.

Once it has been established that a woman is a candidate for nipple sparing mastectomy from an oncologic care perspective, there are a number of factors that must be considered to determine candidacy. Breast size, skin elasticity, areolar size, and breast symmetry can have an effect on the anticipated cosmetic outcome and safety profile of Breast Reconstruction after nipple sparing mastectomy. Anatomically, women without significant breast ptosis (droop), with symmetric nipples, small to moderate breast size (A, B, or small C cup), and adequate skin thickness and elasticity may be considered candidates. The final determination of a woman’s candidacy for nipple sparing mastectomy is a team approach by Dr. Kolker and your breast surgeon, who will together consider the oncologic requirements, anatomic parameters, and individual desires.

Timing of Breast Reconstruction: Immediate or Delayed?

Breast reconstruction can be performed at the time of mastectomy (immediate), or during a subsequent operation (delayed). In most tertiary care centers that provide comprehensive breast care, immediate breast reconstruction is an option for most women.

Immediate Reconstruction

The advantages of immediate reconstruction are: breast cancer removal and first stage reconstruction during one operation, avoiding the visual impact of mastectomy only on body image, and preservation of the anatomic landmarks which can lead to a more natural appearing breast.

Delayed Reconstruction

In these circumstances, delayed breast reconstruction may be recommended. The advantages of delayed reconstruction are primarily related to blood supply, as poorly perfused mastectomy skin flaps are of little concern during a delayed Breast Reconstruction. For the vast majority of women in good health with lower stage breast cancer (0, I, II) or BRCA gene mutation, the breast reconstruction process is begun immediately during the mastectomy procedure.

In some situations, there are:

  • Advanced disease (Stage III)
  • Active smoking
  • Obesity
  • Cardiac disease
  • Lung disease
  • Poorly controlled diabetes
  • Other comorbidities

Reconstruction Type: Implant-Based vs. Fat Transfer

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy can be performed with implants, with ones own tissue, or with a combination thereof. There are a wide variety of options that include:

  • Tissue expander-implant reconstruction
  • Direct-to-implant reconstruction
  • TRAM flap
  • DIEP flap
  • Latissimus dorsi flap with implant
  • And many others

The choices may seem overwhelming. In many cases, there may be a clearly better surgical approach based on an individual’s breast size and shape, body habitus, choice of unilateral or bilateral mastectomy, previous breast surgery, history of or need for radiation, lifestyle, and personal preference. Women with a body mass index smaller than 30 who desire shorter recovery time and no distant donor site are ideal candidates for implant reconstruction.

Those with ample abdominal tissue excess and/or a history of breast radiation would be considered for autologous tissue reconstruction. A top breast reconstruction surgeon in New York, Dr. Kolker will advise you on the best breast reconstruction options for your unique needs and desires.

Types of Breast Implants

At the first stage of an immediate, implant-based breast reconstruction, a tissue expander is used. A tissue expander is a temporary breast implant that is volume-adjustable, and is filled with saline, the type of salt water solution used as intravenous fluid.

By starting with low or moderate volume fill during the first stage, the advantages of this volume-adjustable implant are safety, comfort, and the ability to choose the ideal size in real time during the expansion process. Fills are quickly and easily performed in minutes during outpatient visits, at intervals of 14 to 30 days. Three to six fill sessions are usually required to attain the desired result.

Once the inflation has been completed, the tissue expander is removed and replaced with a permanent implant. The choice of breast implant size, shape, and composition is based on a variety of factors including body habitus, skin thickness, unilateral vs. bilateral reconstruction, and personal preference. Silicone gel breast implants are used for breast reconstruction after mastectomy and tissue expansion. Saline implants are no longer used as a permanent implant for breast reconstruction.

Autologous Fat Transfer

Following implant reconstruction, many women benefit from fat transfer. Fat is harvested from areas of the body where there is excess, including flanks, hips, thighs, and abdomen.

Using liposuction techniques with tiny access incisions made with an IV catheter and fine cannulas, fat cells are gently removed from the donor site, prepared for transfer, and then grafted with fine cannulas into areas of deficiency around the breast. While there is some breast enlargement with fat grafts, it is diminutive, and not performed for that purpose. The fat transfer softens the transition zones at the periphery of the implant, and provides more natural “cover” for the breast reconstruction, and improves the aesthetic outcome. Fat transfer is most often performed at the same time as nipple reconstruction (third stage), and occasionally at the time of breast implant exchange (second stage).

Real Patient Testimonials

“He's TrulyAn Artist”

He not only gave me the strength to take this journey but he also helped to comfort my husband. Dr. Kolker was available to me and my husband 24/7! He truly is an artist and he not only rebuilt my body but my self-esteem and confidence! He also was very accurate as to how I would feel during my healing process. Now, I'm looking forward to additional surgery... but obviously for aesthetic reasons!

— C.O. / New York

“Kind &Caring”

Dr. Kolker is the most kind and caring man I have ever met. He took away so much of my fear and made me excited about my reconstruction. His meticulous reconstructive ‘art’ is just amazing. He is so in tune to detail. His staff is like family to me.

— M.B. / New York City

“I Could NotBelieve My Eyes”

Dr. Kolker had done something ALL other surgeons had told me was not possible. He made the impossible, possible I could not believe it took a possibility and turned it into my reality! I will forever be thankful to him for correcting my asymmetrical breasts and making me so happy.

— N.S. / New York City
Breast Reconstruction NYC
Breast Reconstruction NYC

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BRCA and Prophylactic Mastectomy (Risk-Reducing Mastectomy)

Most women with breast cancer have what is considered to be a “sporadic” type, which is unrelated to inherited cancer. Approximately 10 to 20 percent of women with a diagnosis of breast cancer have a first degree relative with breast cancer.

For those with a family history of breast cancer, up to 20 percent have a mutation in the breast cancer susceptibility gene, known as BRCA 1 or BRCA 2. Candidates for testing are women with breast cancer diagnosed before age 50, triple-negative breast cancer, two or more primary breast cancers, ovarian cancer, or have Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. Women with first or second degree relatives who have had breast cancer diagnosed before age 50, in two or more relatives, or ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancers are also candidates for testing.

For Breast Reconstruction NYC patients' final determination of candidacy or need for testing should be made by a breast surgeon and/or a breast oncologist, and genetic counseling is recommended. For women that carry the BRCA gene mutation, without a diagnosis of breast cancer, current recommendations are clinical examinations beginning at age 25, annual breast MR scans (MRI) from age 25 – 29, annual mammogram and breast MRI after age 30, risk reducing oophorectomy after child bearing (and/or by age 40), and consideration of risk reducing mastectomy.

Also known as a prophylactic mastectomy, the decision to undergo surgery must be carefully considered, and is based on personal preference and in depth discussion with your breast surgical oncologist. In retrospective and prospective studies, risk-reducing or prophylactic mastectomy decreases the incidence of breast cancer by 90 percent or more in women who carry the BRCA gene mutation. A bilateral total mastectomy that is skin-sparing, and often nipple sparing, with immediate Breast Reconstruction can be considered.

Oncoplastic Surgery

Oncoplastic surgery is a process that falls within the category of breast conservation therapy (BCT), in that the cornerstone of the oncologic surgery is a lumpectomy. Women who are candidates for this procedure generally have a breast size that is fuller (D cup or greater) who desire a breast reduction. During an oncoplastic “reduction”, the most common form of oncoplastic surgery, the lumpectomy region is removed as would be the portion of excess breast tissue that is removed with a breast reduction. The remaining breast tissue can be mobilized and transposed into the region of resection, and the breast is reshaped and lifted. For most women who undergo oncoplastic breast surgery, postoperative radiation is required. While appealing for many women, particularly those with larger breasts, one’s candidacy for oncoplastic surgery is determined by both a breast surgeon and plastic surgeon.

Recovery

Dr. Kolker recommends returning to work 4 weeks following the first stage, although with less physically demanding occupations, some are able to return as early as 3 weeks postop. Drain tubes are usually maintained for 10 – 14 days. Light exercise (cardio without impact) may be resumed after the drains are removed, at approximately the two week point, and more vigorous physical activity may commence four weeks after breast reconstruction surgery. Strength training that excludes pectoralis muscle contraction (including lower body, core, and biceps/triceps toning with arms held below 45 degrees) may resume after 14 - 21 days. The recovery time after the lesser ambulatory stages of the breast reconstruction process is generally 7 to 10 days.

Aftercare

After your Manhattan Breast Reconstruction, follow up visits involve drain and incision line care, drain removal, and tissue expander fills. The fills take a matter of minutes, and while usually performed at two week intervals, they can be spaced at intervals up to 30 days. Dr. Kolker and his nursing staff are available to you at any time during recovery.

Breast Reconstruction in NYC

When considering mastectomy and breast reconstruction, it is critical that you choose a dedicated breast care center, with a surgical team that performs these procedures together on a very frequent basis. Dr. Kolker is an active member of the plastic and reconstructive surgery section at the Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai, and works very closely and regularly with the breast surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists. The Dubin Breast Center, providing every facet of comprehensive breast diagnosis and treatment, is committed to exceptional care of women with breast cancer.

The information on this website is meant to provide a broad overview and some of the nuances of breast reconstruction, and of Dr. Kolker’s preferred approaches to the spectrum of procedures after breast conservation therapy and mastectomy. In consideration of each individual’s specific diagnosis, unique anatomy, and personal desires, in-depth evaluation and discussion with an experienced surgical “team”, consisting of a breast surgeon and plastic surgeon at a comprehensive breast center is imperative. To learn more about post-mastectomy Breast Reconstruction in Manhattan, breast reconstruction alternatives, and an extraordinary team approach to superlative breast cancer care and exceptional aesthetic results, we recommend a consultation with Dr. Kolker where he can more thoroughly discuss your options for breast reconstruction with you.

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Dr Kolker is a Double Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon In New York City Providing Quality Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Liposuction, Rhinoplasty, Facelift and other Cosmetic Surgery procedures.