Breast Reconstruction Sunshine Coast

Breast reconstruction surgery is designed to construct a new, natural-looking breast, symmetrical to and aesthetically matching the remaining breast. Plastic surgeon Dr Grant Fraser-Kirk offers this procedure to women who have had a mastectomy, whether it be due to breast cancer or as a preventative measure. Breast reconstruction can transform the lives of women who have felt a loss of confidence and comfort in their own skin.

Dr Grant Fraser-Kirk

Plastic surgeon Dr Fraser-Kirk is an expert in DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator) flap reconstruction, with over 300 DIEPs performed, performing 60 per year. He takes an empathetic, understanding, patient-centred approach, with the drive to empower patients to feel heard and be involved in their surgical journey.

What does the breast reconstruction procedure involve?

During your consultation, Dr Fraser-Kirk will assess your individual characteristics and consider your personal needs to select the right procedure type for you.

The details of the breast reconstructive procedure, and the chosen type of breast reconstructive procedure, will depend on:

• Your general health
• Your age
• Your body type
• Available body tissue
• The potential need for radiotherapy treatment
• The size and shape of your other breast
• Desired results

Types of breast reconstruction procedures

To reconstruct the breast, Dr Fraser-Kirk can perform the following procedures:

Flap reconstruction

In the flap reconstruction method, tissue is taken from elsewhere on the body and used to create a new breast. The tissue donor site will depend on the flap method used.

• DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforators) Flap
  Dr Fraser-Kirk is highly experienced in performing this type of procedure, which involves taking only fat, blood vessels and skin, without muscle, from the abdomen.
• Latissimus Dorsalis Pedicled Flap
  This type of flap breast reconstruction procedure involves moving an oval section of fat, muscle, blood vessels and skin to the chest under the arm using a tunnel beneath the skin.
• Diagonal Upper Gracilis Free Flap
  Also referred to as a DUG flap reconstruction, this method involves taking fat, blood vessels and skin from the inner thigh.
• Profunda Artery Perforator Flap
  In this method, the tissue donor site used is the upper inner thigh.
• Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap
  This method involves using the outer thigh as a donor site, removing the skin, fat and fascia to make a flap as a singular piece of donor tissue.

Prepectoral Implant-Based Reconstruction

As an alternative to using other areas of the body as donor sites and using the tissue to create a new breast, silicone or saline implants can be inserted to form the new breast shape.

Dr Fraser-Kirk performs the implant-based reconstruction procedure with a prepectoral implant placement, positioning the implants above the muscle.

When reconstructing a breast with implants, the procedure is usually performed in two stages, first inserting a tissue expander into the chest and filling the area with saline to create space for the implant. Then, the tissue expander is removed before placing the chosen type of implant.

 Fat Graft Reconstruction

Fat grafting involves using liposuction on other areas of your body as a fat donor site and injecting the fat into the chest area to shape a new breast. Before the fat is injected, it is processed into a liquid-like consistency. This option is generally suitable for patients who wish to achieve a smaller reconstructed breast.

The potential need for multiple procedures

To achieve the desired result, some patients may need to undergo multiple breast reconstruction procedures. This will depend on individual circumstances, anatomy, and goals for the procedure. Dr Fraser-Kirk will be able to assess your features and needs to determine if multiple procedures may be necessary.

Restoring the nipple and areola

To create an areola and nipple on the reconstructed breast, various methods can be used. These methods include a skin flap, autologous graft, or medical tattooing.

Selecting the right nipple and areola restoration method will depend on the condition and features of your new breast tissue and shape, as well as your desired results.

How soon after a mastectomy can a breast reconstruction procedure be performed?

A breast reconstruction procedure can be either immediate, performed straight after a mastectomy, or delayed, performed after waiting a certain amount of time after a mastectomy.

The right time to undergo your procedure will depend on your personal circumstances, anatomy, and goals for surgery.

What can I expect during recovery?

After your breast reconstruction procedure, you may feel pain, numbness and general discomfort around the area of the new breast and the donor site, if you have undergone a method that has involved using tissue from another area of your body. You may also feel some tightness on the chest area, particularly if you have had breast implants inserted. These post-surgery effects will subside as the body heals. Swelling and bruising can take eight weeks to fully subside.

Each patient will be provided with detailed recovery instructions that are tailored to their procedure details and individual needs. Since each procedure option for a breast reconstructing surgery involves different steps, it will be important to closely follow your instructions.

Depending on the type of surgery performed, your recovery instructions may include to:

• Avoid specified medications or supplements that can slow down your body’s healing process
• Avoid strenuous exercise for four to six weeks
• Avoid heavy and overhead lifting for four to six weeks
• Manage pain with prescribed medication, if needed
• Keep the incision sites clean
• Wear comfortable and loose clothing
• Wear a compression bra

How much does a breast reconstruction cost?

The costs of a breast reconstitution procedure will depend on the details of the procedure, such as the selected procedure type, whether implants have been used, anaesthesia fees, surgeon’s fees, and hospital fees. The costs will need to be calculated during your consultation with plastic surgeon Dr Fraser-Kirk.

Medicare rebate for a breast reconstruction procedure

Women who are undergoing a breast reconstruction procedure after a mastectomy may be eligible for a Medicare rebate.

To receive a Medicare rebate, you will need a referral from your General Practitioner or a specialist.

What are the risks and complications of breast reconstruction surgery?

The specific potential risks and complications of breast reconstruction surgery will depend on the type of procedure that has been performed.

The general associated risks include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Fluid accumulation
• Haematoma
• Partial or complete loss of the flap (in flap reconstruction surgery)
• Loss of sensation at the tissue donor site (in flap reconstruction surgery)
• Capsular contracture (in implant-based reconstruction surgery)
• Movement of the tissue expander or implant (in implant-based reconstruction surgery)
• Damage of the reconstructed breast caused by radiotherapy
• A delay of radiotherapy treatment due to complications of breast reconstruction surgery

Dr Fraser-Kirk will take the potential need for radiotherapy into consideration when determining which procedure type is suitable. To minimise your risks, you will need to closely follow your preparation and recovery instructions.

Book your consultation with Dr Grant Fraser-Kirk

Your suitability for surgery, individual needs and goals for surgery will be assessed during your consultation. Dr Fraser-Kirk will outline preparation and recovery instructions, the procedure details, and procedure costs, allowing you to feel prepared for your breast reconstruction surgery.