BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Advanced procedures & techniques now enable women to recover quickly & lead normal, happy lives.

We believe in tailoring breast reconstruction to the patient using the best alternative for each individual – using their own tissue or implants.

Breast Reconstruction today can be performed at the time of the mastectomy, under the same anesthetic, and a new breast mound can be created using your own living tissue or saline or silicone implants can be used to rebuild a beautiful, natural looking breast. Even though mastectomies are performed sparingly today, it is still often a necessary procedure to effectively deal with breast cancer, especially for certain patients such as BRCA 1 or 2 positive patients.  Dr. Davison is specially trained and has years of experience in breast reconstruction surgeries. The results of his reconstructive surgeries are not only functional – but are attractive and as natural looking as possible.  This is accomplished by masterfully combining the supreme elements of art and surgical science.

“All cosmetic surgery should be functional – and all reconstructive surgery should be aesthetic – and look as natural as possible.”     Dr. Davison 

BENEFITS OF BREAST RECONSTRUCTION:

• Breast Reconstruction rebuilds a breast mound after mastectomy surgery
• Breast Reconstruction can correct previous breast surgeries
• Breast Reconstruction surgery today uses advanced techniques
• Breast Reconstruction results in a natural looking, beautiful breast
• Breast Reconstruction is a safe, commonly performed procedure
• Breast Reconstruction can be performed at the time of a mastectomy
• Breast Reconstruction enhances body shape & self-esteem
• Breast Reconstruction - incorporating the patients own body image into the  reconstruction – is critical.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BREAST RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY?
Any woman who has had a mastectomy due to breast cancer or trauma, or who has had previous breast reconstruction and desires an improved appearance, may be an ideal candidate for Dr. Davison’s breast reconstruction procedure.  You should be in otherwise good health and have realistic expectations.

Your surgeon should invest the time to sit down and talk to you face-to-face during your consultation.  Dr. Davison listens carefully to each patient – every time.

YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION WITH DR. DAVISON:
Dr. Davison believes this time spent with you is critical to both you and to him.  It is during the consultation that he comes to fully understand your concerns, evaluates them correctly and then develops the surgery/treatment plan that is right for you. Dr. Davison invests the time – to sit down and talk to you face-to-face. The first consultation is to find out what is right for you!

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE:
Typically the breast reconstruction procedure involves using your own living body tissue  to create a new breast mound or a pocket into which a breast implant is inserted. Often, the mastectomy surgery or radiation has left insufficient tissue on the chest wall to cover and support a breast implant.  In these cases Dr. Davison uses one of several techniques to import muscle and/or tissue to use in reconstructing a breast mound.

MUSCLE FLAP

1. LATISSIMUS DORSI FLAP - This method employs muscles which are rotated from the back to the front, of the body, to create a breast.  The muscle(s) provide blood flow to autogenous, transported skin and fat which allow for the creation of the breast mound.
2. TRAM FLAP - This method uses skin and fat from the abdomen to create a breast.  In this flap the rectus abdominis muscle is used to support the skin and fat which is tunneled into the breast area.  Today this flap remains the standard of care worldwide to allow creation of a natural looking breast and improved abdominal contours.
3. FREE TRAM FLAP – requires only a small portion of the rectus abdominis muscle. This is a microsurgical transfer that improves blood flow to the abdominal tissues.
4. DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) – utilizes none of the rectus abdominus muscle but instead harvests only the vessels.  It is ideal for the active patient who wishes to reserve her abdomen strength.
5. SIEA – Superficial Inferior Epigastric uses none of the rectus muscle but is reserved only for select patients, particularly those who have lost weight.
6. I and S GAP – free flaps – Gluteal Artery Perforator – allow for a hidden donor site which is most useful to women with insufficient abdominal tissue. This tissue is taken from the buttock and transplanted to the breast.
7. TUG – Transverse Upper – Flap- A new European flap method which harvests the tissue from the upper inner thigh to build a breast. This is ideal for a “B” cup breast woman who has extra thigh tissue.
   

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BREAST RECONSTRUCTION:

Where Is The Surgery Performed?
Dr. Davison performs surgeries in a several local hospitals including Georgetown, Sibley and Virginia Hospital – the location of the latest NBCS breast cancer center.

Will Insurance Pay For Breast Reconstruction Surgery?
Most breast reconstruction surgeries are covered.  Symmetry operations on the other breast for prophylactic surgeries are also usually covered.

How Long Does Breast Reconstruction Surgery Take?
This varies with each patient – but it generally takes several hours.  Dr. Davison will be able to give you a time frame during your consultation time.

What Is Recovery Like?
Recovery time varies with each patient also.  We will give you some guidelines that will help you with planning.  It is important that you have a responsible adult stay with you after your surgery, and for a few days when you get home.

Will I Look Different After Surgery?
You will wake up with breast mounds in place.  Healing takes time – but you will look very natural when healing is complete.  Our goal is to make the post mastectomy transition as smooth as possible.

What Kind Of Implants Will Be Used If Implants Are My Choice?
Dr. Davison will help you determine whether saline or silicone implants are the best choice for your lifestyle and needs.

Is Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction Available?
Dr. Davison is experienced and comfortable in providing you the latest microsurgical techniques for autogenous (your own tissue) reconstruction.  He offers Free Trans, DIEP, TUG and Gluteal Flap reconstruction to individualize your reconstruction.  Dr. Davison has performed 400 hundred microsurgical reconstructions during his career.

WHY CHOOSE A BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON?

When considering any surgery it is most important to know and trust your surgeon.  Dr. Davison is triple board certified and fellowship trained – which means he has specialized training and experience in three subspecialties, and he has met and exceeded the rigorous standards set forth by each board.  To be fellowship trained means that, in addition to his med-school training and residencies, he has had several additional years of specialized surgical training for plastic surgery and facial plastic surgery procedures.

At DAVinci – Dr. Davison strives to provide a “patient-centric” experience –
combining the supreme elements of art and surgical science.
You can entrust your face to this plastic surgeon!

Learn more about Dr. Davison