Restore breast shape and volume after mastectomy with implant-based reconstruction in Nashville, a common option for women seeking a straightforward solution. Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy offers compassionate, personalized care and advanced surgical expertise to help you feel whole again, whether immediately after cancer surgery or as part of a delayed plan.
- What Are the Reasons to Consider Implant-Based Reconstruction?
- Implant-Based Reconstruction Before & After
- What Is the Recovery Process After Implant-Based Reconstruction?
- What Are the Types of Implant-Based Reconstruction?
- What Are the Benefits of Implant-Based Reconstruction?
- What Happens During Implant-Based Reconstruction Surgery?
- Contact
Rebuild Your Breast Shape After Mastectomy
Implant-based reconstruction is a surgical technique used to rebuild the breast using a silicone or saline implant after mastectomy. It’s performed in one or two stages: either placing the implant immediately or first inserting a tissue expander to gradually create space for the final implant. This is ideal for women who prefer shorter surgery and recovery times or do not wish to use their own tissue. Implant-based reconstruction can be customized to suit your anatomy, desired breast shape, and timing, whether immediate or delayed.
What Are the Reasons to Consider Implant-Based Reconstruction?
- Loss of breast volume after mastectomy
- Desire for a more balanced or symmetrical chest
- Preference for a less invasive reconstruction method
- Lack of sufficient donor tissue for autologous reconstruction
- Previous implant failure requiring reconstruction
- Delayed reconstruction after cancer treatment
What Is the Recovery Process After Implant-Based Reconstruction?
After your implant-based reconstruction in Nashville, you can expect some swelling, tightness, bruising, and discomfort in the chest area, especially if a tissue expander was used. Most patients return home the same day or after an overnight stay. The initial recovery typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, but complete healing may take a few months. You’ll be advised to limit strenuous activities and avoid heavy lifting to allow proper healing. Dr. O’Shaughnessy will provide detailed instructions tailored to your specific surgical plan and recovery timeline.
To support your recovery, you’ll need to:
- Wear a surgical bra or compression garment as directed
- Sleep on your back with your upper body elevated
- Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for several weeks
- Refrain from raising your arms above shoulder height
- Take pain medication and antibiotics as prescribed
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments
- Watch for signs of infection or complications
What Are the Types of Implant-Based Reconstruction?
Immediate Reconstruction
Immediate implant-based reconstruction is performed at the same time as your mastectomy. Once the breast tissue is removed, Dr. O’Shaughnessy either places a breast implant directly or uses a temporary tissue expander to gradually create space for the final implant. This approach offers the benefit of waking up with a breast mound already in place, reducing the number of surgeries and the emotional impact of mastectomy. Immediate reconstruction is often suitable for women who do not require post-mastectomy radiation.
Delayed Reconstruction
Delayed implant-based reconstruction is performed weeks, months, or even years after your mastectomy. It allows time for healing, completion of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, and careful planning of your reconstruction. In this approach, Dr. O’Shaughnessy places a tissue expander first to prepare the area, followed by placement of the implant in a second surgery. Delayed reconstruction is ideal for patients who need additional time to recover physically or emotionally before undergoing reconstruction.
What Are the Benefits of Implant-Based Reconstruction?
- Requires no tissue harvesting from other areas of the body
- Shorter surgery and recovery time compared to autologous methods
- Suitable for women with low body fat or limited donor tissue
- Can be performed immediately or delayed, based on your needs
- Offers predictable size, shape, and symmetry with modern implants
- Involves fewer incisions and less scarring outside the breast area
- Allows for easy future revisions or implant exchanges
What Happens During Implant-Based Reconstruction Surgery?
Your procedure begins either at the time of your mastectomy (immediate) or after healing from cancer treatment (delayed). In most cases, Dr. O’Shaughnessy starts by placing an expander beneath the pectoralis major muscle and the remaining skin. This is gradually filled with sterile saline through a small port over several weeks to stretch the tissue and create space for a breast implant. Once the skin and muscle have expanded, a second procedure is performed to exchange the expander for a permanent silicone or saline implant.
Some patients may qualify for direct-to-implant reconstruction, which places the final implant at the time of mastectomy, eliminating the need for a tissue expander. To support the implant and improve shape, Dr. O’Shaughnessy may use a biologic mesh called acellular dermal matrix (ADM), which integrates with your tissues and helps define the lower breast contour. In this case, you will wake up from your mastectomy with a complete breast mound.
Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. O’Shaughnessy
Dr. Kristina O’Shaughnessy is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 17 years of experience in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery. She brings a compassionate care approach and a woman’s perspective to every care plan. With advanced training from Northwestern University and a prestigious fellowship in breast reconstruction, she offers state-of-the-art techniques to ensure safe, natural-looking results. Schedule your consultation for implant-based reconstruction in Nashville to explore your options.
