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Breast Reconstruction

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Advanced, personalized options to help you feel like yourself again

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Breast reconstruction is surgery to recreate breasts after a mastectomy. There are several types of breast reconstruction. Some techniques use implants. Others use tissue from your body (such as the belly) – or a combination of implants and your own tissue - to form a breast. Breast reconstruction can happen right after a mastectomy or much later. Sometimes multiple surgeries might be required.

Erlanger Plastic and Reconstructive surgery is a leader in breast reconstruction. Our team of reconstructive surgeons offers advanced, personalized options backed by extensive clinical research to help you look and feel like yourself again. We are the surgeons for Erlanger’s Level I Trauma Center, with the proven expertise to handle the region’s most complex reconstructive cases 24/7. And as an academic practice, we teach tomorrow’s reconstructive surgeons through UT Health Science Center College of Medicine—Chattanooga.

Robin's Story

Understanding Breast Reconstruction

Cancer survivor Robin Bull explains how breast reconstruction offers “many options to feel like yourself again.” She and Dr. Mark Brzezienski discuss the process, delayed versus immediate pathways, as well as implant-based, autologous, and semi-autologous options.

What is Erlanger's process for breast reconstruction?

Our process starts with a referral from your breast surgeon. We then review your pathology and any imaging studies. In our initial consultation, we'll ask you to share your thoughts, expectations, and desires with regard to breast reconstruction. We’ll then talk with you about the specific course of your cancer diagnosis. Depending on where you are in your journey, reconstruction may have to wait a little until any treatments, such as chemotherapy, are complete. We will go over the many options available based on your unique situation, desires, and physiognomy.


When is the best time to have reconstruction?

Depending on your unique medical situation and reconstruction preferences, your timing for reconstruction may be delayed or immediate. That is, you may choose reconstruction immediately after mastectomy, or you may need or want to delay reconstruction. Regardless, we can help guide the style of your mastectomy so that it helps us as you contemplate delayed reconstruction.

What are the different types of breast reconstruction?

  • Implant-based – uses breast implants
  • Autologous – uses tissue from your body (such as the belly) to form a breast
  • Semi-autologous - uses a combination of implants and your own tissue

“Breast reconstruction is really many styles and options tailored to the specifics of each patient, their desires, and physiognomy.”
- Dr. Mark Brzezienski