Breast Surgery

Breast Reconstruction

breast reconstruction korea
Confident & feminine; become your beautiful self again

What is Breast Reconstruction?

Breast reconstruction that heals your body and mind

Breast reconstruction is a type of surgery for recreating the breast(s) of the patients who have undergone mastectomy (surgical removal of breasts). Since breasts are closely tied to female identity, breast reconstruction surgery can help you regain confidence and return to your old self.

Breast reconstruction surgery used to be performed exclusively at university hospitals until quite recently. Few private hospitals provided simple reconstruction procedures using breast implants. Because breast reconstruction with autologous tissue requires a wealth of experience and expertise, the number of capable surgeons is limited.

M.D. Seul Chul-hwan, of JW Plastic Surgery, built his career as a professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine and a breast surgeon specialist at Severance Hospital. He operates high standard reconstruction surgeries based on his extensive expertise.

He provides a high standard of reconstruction surgery based on his expertise and know-how

  • Surgery Duration2 - 5 hours
  • Hospitalization1 - 2 days
  • # of Postoperative visitsDepends on the symptoms
  • AnesthesiaGeneral anesthesia
  • Removal of Stitches7 - 10 days after the operation
  • Recovery PeriodReturn to normal life 3 – 4 days after the operation
We recommend breast reconstruction to the following people:
  • Those who have lost one or both breasts after breast cancer.
  • Those who have asymmetrical breasts due to partial mastectomy.
  • Those whose breasts were damaged in an accident or because of inflammation.
  • Those who did not develop breasts due to a congenital condition.

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION PROCEDURES

There are two types of surgery for rebuilding the breast mound: autologous tissue and implant. A few months reconstructing the breast mound, nipples can be added; the new nipples will be tattooed to match the nipple on the other side.

#1 | Breast Reconstruction Using Autologous Tissues

Tissues (skin, fat, and muscles) are collected from the lower abdomen, back, or hips, and transferred to the breasts. Autologous tissue creates breasts natural to the eyes and touch, with no palpable foreign body.

In breast reconstruction procedures using a tissue expander and implants, two surgeries are needed to fully form the breast mound. However, breast reconstruction using autologous tissues can be completed with one operation.
Breast reconstruction using transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (TRAM Flap), is one of the most common types of breast reconstruction. Tissues are collected from the abdomen and transferred to the breasts. Patients can see effects on the contouring of their bodies as well as their breasts.
In the case of breast reconstruction using latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, tissues are collected from the upper back. If the collected tissues are not enough, breast implants may be inserted as well.
When using the autologous tissue method, two rows of scars are left across the breast. However, JW Plastic Surgery uses a new technique to hide one of the two rows of scars under the breast for better aesthetic results.

1.1 | Breast reconstruction using transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (TRAM Flap)

The most common breast reconstruction technique which uses autologous tissues; It reconstructs the breast while improving the sagging tissue in the lower abdomen ( transfer of abdominal skin and fat to the breasts).

1.2 | Breast reconstruction using the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap

The Skin, fat, and muscles of the back are transferred to the breasts; if the available tissue is too thin, breast implants may be inserted as well.

#2 | Breast reconstruction using fat grafting

Breast reconstruction using fat grafting is generally performed on those who’ve undergone a partial mastectomy. But recently, it is more commonly being performed on the patients who’ve had a total mastectomy.

Although this surgery has a simple advantage, one operation won’t be enough. You may need 2-3 procedures for satisfactory results.

#3 | Breast reconstruction using breast implants

This operation method is recommended to:
1
Those who are thin and have small breasts.
2
Those who don’t have enough tissues on their abdomen and back.
3
Those who don’t want to use autologous tissue.
Types of Breast Reconstruction using Breast Implants
Single-stage reconstruction using breast implants Multi-stage reconstruction using breast implants

When the skin has been preserved and only the breast tissue has been removed, the single-stage reconstruction method using implants can be performed.

This method is used when the skin, areola, nipple, and breast tissues are completely removed.

In order to extend the skin, a tissue expander is inserted and pumped with a saline solution periodically. When the skin is properly expanded, the tissue expander is replaced with an implant. The nipples and areolas will be reconstructed later.

 

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4

Construction of Breast Mound With a Tissue Expander

When most of the breast skin has been removed, we place a tissue expander under the breast muscles injecting a saline solution periodically to extend the breast skin. This step can take up to two months.

Replacing the Tissue Expander With an Implant

2-3 months after the last saline injection, if the tissues are sufficiently extended, the tissue expander is replaced with an appropriately sized implant to shape the breast.

At this time, the other breast could be corrected (eg. breast lift surgery, etc.) to balance the size, shape, and inframammary fold of both breasts as much as possible.

Nipple reconstruction

Three months after the breast mound is reconstructed, the nipple can be added. In the past, dark skin was harvested from the other nipple or the groin; these days a simple procedure is used to generate the proper shape and create a nipple.

Areola reconstruction and tattooing

The reconstructed nipple and its surrounding area will be tattooed to match the color and shape of the other nipple.

Recovery From Breast Reconstruction

1
You can return to normal life two or three days after the breast reconstruction with implants and one week after breast reconstruction with autologous tissues.
2
Refrain from heavy exercises such as tennis, swimming, and aerobics, for at least four weeks after your breast reconstruction procedure.
3
The scars fade about six months after the surgery. In addition, we provide scar treatment to help reduce the visible scars.

FAQ ABOUT BREAST RECONSTRUCTION

Q:Is breast reconstruction safe?

We guarantee an accurate examination, safe anesthesia, precise procedure, and thorough postoperative management. We consider your safety as our number 1 priority.

Q:I’m worried about the results.

Each patient’s body is unique; accurate and thorough surgical planning assures the best method of surgery is selected to give you satisfactory results.

M.D. Seul Chul-hwan, of JW Plastic Surgery, performs high standard breast reconstruction surgeries and, thanks to years of experience and expertise, has achieved continuous satisfactory surgical results.

Q:Is breast reconstruction really necessary?

Recently, the cure rate for breast cancer surgery is quite high; many patients who had breast cancer surgery recover completely and enjoy a healthy life. Of course, patients do not need to undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy. However, many patients wish to regain their feminine figure and it can have positive mental effects.
Nowadays, breast reconstruction is almost regarded as a necessary surgery to lead and enjoy a normal life.

Q:Can I havebreast cancer screening after breast reconstruction?

You do not have to worry about breast cancer screening after your reconstruction surgery.
With advanced technology and equipment, breast cancer can be detected even when an implant has been used. As the implant is located under the muscles, it will have no impact on breast cancer screening.

With more than 21 years of experience, a surgeon specialized in Breast Surgery.

JW surgeon for the Breast has been performing surgery with know-how from various clinical experiences, as well as dedication to achieving the best result by medical research.