Breast Reconstruction Designed Around Your Needs

Breast cancer strikes women and their families without warning and often leaves them feeling completely overwhelmed. Many are suddenly forced to make seemingly endless decisions, all within a matter of just a few weeks. At our plastic surgery practice, Dr. David Passaretti and his team understand how difficult these decisions can be and we're here to help. There is no single reconstructive surgery option that is best for everyone, which is why we offer a full range of breast reconstruction procedures, including the advanced prepectoral breast reconstruction treatment, out of our Fairfield County, Connecticut practice. We will take the time to answer your questions and make sure that you have all the information you need about your breast reconstruction alternatives so that you can make the decision that is best for you.

Contact our plastic surgery practice today to learn more about how these procedures can help you regain control of your appearance.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction procedures have changed improved a great deal since their inception. Dr. David Passaretti uses the most advanced techniques available to provide the most natural results. Used for women who have undergone a mastectomy for breast cancer, breast reconstruction gives them a chance to restore their femininity and confidence.

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A Team Approach to Breast Reconstruction

Dr. David Passaretti is well acquainted with and works closely with the best breast surgeons and cancer doctors in the area. This team approach to breast reconstruction ensures that all aspects of your treatment are coordinated and well orchestrated to provide you with the best possible care. The goal of breast reconstruction surgery is to rebuild and reshape the breasts following mastectomy, although it may also be indicated for atypical development of one or both breasts. During mastectomy, your breast surgeon will remove both breast tissue and possibly the nipple with the surrounding breast skin. Any breast reconstruction must replace all of the missing elements.

At our plastic surgery practice in Fairfield County, Connecticut, we offer all four major types of breast reconstruction surgery, including reconstruction with the patient’s own tissue - Tissue Expanders and Implants; TRAM flap reconstruction; DIEP flap reconstruction; or Latissimus flap reconstruction. Using the latest breast reconstruction techniques, we are able to create two balanced, symmetrical breast mounds that look and feel completely natural. Each procedure offers its own distinct benefits and drawbacks, which Dr. Passaretti can outline in detail at a consultation.

Preventive Mastectomy

DescriptionFor women with extensive history of breast cancer in their family, a preventive mastectomy can be performed to eliminate the risk for cancer. Because the cancer does not exist at the time of surgery, the patient is allowed more time to plan and decide if the treatment is right for her.

Implants and Tissue Expansion

The most common of the reconstructive techniques, it is chosen by patients who are looking for symmetric natural results and wish to avoid additional scarring and lengthy recoveries. Patients who receive implants may first have to use tissue expanders to prepare the skin and make room for the implants. Implant based reconstructions have dramatically improved in recent years and with the addition of newer "bioengineering" techniques are the first choice for most patients. Although implants are frequently placed under the muscle, Dr Passaretti has been a pioneer in prepectoral reconstruction. This newer technique avoids disrupting muscle for a more natural result and an easier recovery. The use of Alloderm and fat grafting are routine. This procedure may not work well in women with a history of previous radiation therapy

Our Patient Discusses Her Breast Reconstruction

A breast reconstruction patient explains how Dr. David Passaretti and his staff helped her feel relaxed and comfortable in the office. After having a double mastectomy, our patient was ready to boost her confidence and restore her figure.

DIEP Flap

The DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap technique uses only skin and fat from the abdominal area to reshape the breast leaving behind the muscle. The breast created is indistinguishable from the TRAM flap but patients may have fewer issues with abdominal weakness. This procedure requires a much longer operation than any of the other choices but has less recovery time than the TRAM flap procedures.

Scarless Latissimus Flap

The scarless latissimus flap technique is similar to the Tissue Expander technique, but uses a healthy, well-vascularized muscle from the back to cover and protect the implants. This is particularly beneficial for women who have had radiation therapy in the past or who have extensive breast scarring. In the past, this procedure always involved leaving scars on a woman's back. Dr. Passaretti has developed a new technique to harvest the muscle without resorting to unsightly back incisions. This allows women who are not good candidates for implants to enjoy all of the benefits of newer reconstructive techniques without any additional scarring. This procedure is also less invasive than the TRAM Flap procedure with a quicker recovery.

TRAM Flap

The TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle) flap procedure has become the most popular of the various living tissue breast reconstruction methods performed. This procedure uses muscle, fat, and skin from the abdominal area to create a new breast. This is a safe method of breast reconstruction because it uses natural tissue, as opposed to implants and may be necessary in some patients. Do to the use of tissue, instead of implants, TRAM flaps create a breast with more ptosis, or droop than other techniques. This can be beneficial when trying to achieve symmetry in patients who opt for a single, as opposed to a double, mastectomy.

Nipple Reconstruction

While nipple reconstruction is not required following breast reconstruction, it is recommended in order to achieve more natural-looking breasts. Dr. Passaretti is able to reconstruct the nipples using the patient's natural tissue. Patients can discuss their options for creating realistic results with Dr. Passaretti.

The Use of AlloDerm Grafts in Breast Reconstruction

Dr. Passaretti was one of the first surgeons in the area to use AlloDerm in breast reconstruction and has performed more AlloDerm-based reconstructions, than anyone in all of Fairfield County. Dr. Passaretti continues to use AlloDerm with great success to improve the aesthetic results of breast reconstruction surgery in patients that do not have enough of their own breast tissue. AlloDerm provides additional tissue to work with and also affords an additional layer of tissue to help hide implant visibility and to obtain a more natural shape. AlloDerm will help control the location of the implant, support the implant and define the breast fold. AlloDerm will support growth of new tissues and actually become part of your body.

Contact Our Practice

Dr. Passaretti is dedicated to helping the courageous women who have undergone mastectomy. As one of the premier cosmetic surgeons in the Fairfield County, Connecticut area, he seeks to provide breast reconstruction surgery of an exceptionally high standard to the women who need and deserve it most. Please contact our plastic surgery practice and schedule a private consultation today.

Breast Reconstruction Designed Around Your Needs